Getting to Know Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury

Aubrey Kingsbury has been the Spirit’s fixture in goal since joining the team in 2018. Twice named NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year and a 2021 NWSL Champion, Kingsbury has maintained elite status among the league’s goalkeepers throughout her decorated career. Last season, she became the sixth goalkeeper in NWSL history to achieve each of the following milestones: 10,000 career regular season minutes, 400 career regular season saves and 30 regular season clean sheets. Kingsbury currently has 33 clean sheets and became just the fifth player in NWSL history to record 30 or more clean sheets with a single club. Kingsbury has also featured on the USWNT, earning a call up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. At Wake Forest, Kingsbury was a four-year starter earning All-America honors for three consecutive years.

What was your first Spirit memory?

I just remember showing up to the SoccerPlex in the preseason of 2018. That was the year we got Andi Sullivan as our first-round draft pick and brought in myself and Rose (Lavelle). Just memories of a really cold preseason in Maryland at the time. I was excited to play with Andi, Rose, Mal (Swanson), and we also brought in (Ashley) Hatch that year.

What is your favorite Spirit memory?

Winning the NWSL championship in 2021 in Louisville. Just after the really tough year we had as a team, it was a really gratifying ending. It was very dramatic, left it to overtime, with a Kelley O’Hara header off of a Trinity Rodman cross.

Who is your athlete idol?

Growing up, there wasn’t a lot of women’s soccer on TV. I remember watching the 99ers and being a fan of Bri Scurry. It’s been an honor to now know her and have her involved with the Spirit. It’s cool having her around after looking up to her. Not too many people wanted to be goalkeeper, so it’s cool to know one of the OG’s.

Who are your women’s and men’s soccer GOATs?

Men’s I would say it’s Messi. That doesn’t seem very debatable for me. Women’s, I think there is a debate; it’s not as clear. I’m a big fan of Lauren Cheney, now Holiday. I think she had one of the best careers I’ve seen, although it was short. She left on top, I really admire her as a person.

Do you remember your first concert?

Probably Rascal Flatts, in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was in high school. I love a good country concert.

Do you have a favorite local restaurant in the DMV?

When I was in Arlington, my favorite was The Green Pig. It’s a good local spot. Everything there is good, especially their dessert. Village Sweet is probably my favorite bakery.

What’s a skill you always wanted to learn?

Now that we have so many international players, I’d love to learn Spanish or French.

What’s a skill of yours that no one knows about?

I get asked that a lot, so people probably know that I can play the piano. My mom is a piano teacher, so I had to take lessons until I went to college. I’ll still play if there’s a piano around. It’s kind of a dying art, not too many pianos to be found.

What was your first job?

I had a paper route when I was 13. I also was a soccer referee. I threw the Community Journal every Wednesday. I would throw the paper out the window as my parents drove; I was too young to drive. It was an after-school Wednesday thing. Then, once a month, we’d have to go ring the doorbells and ask for money. That sucked. It was just a lot of work, going door-to-door. Most people wouldn’t be home or have cash on them. Whatever you collected was your payment. You were paid based on how willing you were to collect the money.

What is your favorite movie?

I do love movies. I’d have to go with Italian Job, with Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron. It’s a good action movie. It inspired my love of Mini Coopers. I was more obsessed when I was younger. It was always my dream to have a Mini Cooper. I achieved it in 2017, and I still have it.

What was your favorite subject in school?

When I was younger, I’d probably say recess, but that doesn’t count. I thought I was going to go to Med School and was pre-med in college. I went as far as taking the MCAT and applying, but now I’m here. I didn’t have great experience in the medical field. I thought that being a professional soccer player would count for more, but you’re pretty detached from any sort of medicine related thing. That was the feedback I got. I was grateful that the door was closed for me, it made an easier decision to stay with soccer.

What are you doing on an off day?

My off days look really different now. They are not your typical off days. I really enjoy yard work and house maintenance. My last off day I spent the entire day pressure washing my whole house – all of the siding, our front and back porch, and mowing the lawn. Before I was a homeowner, you could find me at a local coffee shop with a pastry and coffee, just getting coffee with some of my friends or teammates. Going for a hike or just doing something outdoorsy, whether that’s lawn games like corn hole and bucket golf, or standup paddle boarding. I used to SUP off Teddy Roosevelt Island on the Potomac River. It’s kind of hard because usually there’s a lot of boat traffic, making it kind of wavy.

Who is the funniest person on the team and why?

I’ll give Lena (Silano) a shoutout. I wish it was me. I think Lena, she’ll say some random things that will catch you off guard. She’s very deadpan. I feel like me and Tara have a frenemies thing, normally I’m the butt of her jokes. I probably don’t think that she’s that funny because she gets me a lot, but I can’t have her mad at me. I need her back there blocking shots for me.

The post Getting to Know Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury appeared first on Washington Spirit.