Fit Checks to the Field with Leilanni Nesbeth: An Interview

Leilanni Nesbeth is one of the newest additions to the Chicago Red Stars Team, an NWSL women’s soccer club of Chicago. She hails from Bermuda but has spent most of her life traveling the world playing soccer. We get into her life as a Red Stars player living by authenticity on and off the field.

You signed with Chicago back in March and you recently had a historic game at Wrigley Field. What was that like for you? Starting off your career with something so big? 

It was incredible. I mean, to what? Break the NWSL record, have over 35,000 people in the stands. Obviously, game didn’t go the way that you wanted it to, but still, the experience was incredible. Honestly, just the environment, the atmosphere there. Had my grandparents in town for the game. So it was super, super special. And then the night was just really, really nice. It was nice to be with the team. And it was crazy.

How have you been adjusting to being on this professional team?

It’s definitely been an adjustment for sure. College is a lot different, one of them being the length of this season. College you got what? 16 games, three month span. The offseason is still hard, but nothing really compares to sitting here and going from January to November. Goodness gracious, because pre-season starts late January. So that’s been probably the biggest adjustment, making sure that I’m taking care of my body and I’m able to meet the demands. It’s one thing to play good, but playing at a high level consistently, that’s where it starts to get tough. So that’s been a huge adjustment.

I absolutely love Chicago. It’s my first time in a big city, but I think I’m adjusting to that probably the best. It’s definitely helped the whole transition from college to the pros and starting this new chapter of my life. Living in Chicago is pretty cool.

What was that like? Coming from what you know in Bermuda, and then coming to the US to play?  Was it the same playing-wise or different?

It’s definitely different. I don’t know if you’ve been to Bermuda. It’s literally 24 square miles, population of like, 70,000 people. Everybody knows everybody. It’s definitely underdeveloped and lacks a whole lot of resources and financial stability, unlike these big countries. So I knew from a young age that me and my family made an executive decision to get me off the island. That’s where the whole England and the UK P steps in. Definitely knew I wanted to take my talents elsewhere and grow my game and see how far I could really take this. So that’s what led to me leaving Bermuda at 13.

It’s definitely beautiful. It’s just super small but some of the best support systems that I still have to this day. So, super appreciative for everything that I was able to learn growing up in Bermuda. And I’m able to go back home, and it’s definitely a nice little getaway to be back with my family. But in regards to that transition, nothing compares. It’s a whole different ballgame out here. It’s a whole different ballgame in England, and yeah, there’s no really comparison to what Bermuda has to offer compared to out here.

What is the culture like in Bermuda, and do you see any similarities in Chicago where you’re at now?

Bermuda it’s a little island. It’s not a part of the Caribbean, but it’s basically a Caribbean country because it has that vibe to it. Beaches, palm trees, has carnival, which is what’s going on right now. A lot of Soca Music, reggae, has that Jamaican feel from time to time, but still gives off that, Barbados, Bahamas island vibe when necessary. So it’s a mix of the two. The culture is a lot of music. It’s a lot of smiling faces, it’s good people, good vibes. Obviously, the weather is always beautiful, so it just contributes to that.

I’m sure that wasn’t easy coming to this area in the winter.

And apparently, I didn’t come here in the worst of it.

Did you see any similarities with Chicago, or was it, totally different?

It’s definitely different. You still can kind of find all that stuff here. What’s cool about this place, is for example, me and a couple teammates went over to this Caribbean lounge, and we’re still able to tap into our kind of heritage, per se, which is nice. You can dip and dab as you please. So it’s nice that Chicago still offers, when it comes to the culture, the food. So it’s cool to see how diverse this place is. And it’s been one of the coolest parts.

I feel like a pretty diverse person myself. I’ve been all over the world, so I can appreciate different cultures. And yeah, totally enjoying myself when it comes to that aspect.

Growing up, did you see a lot of players who looked like you?

It depends. I think in England and out here, just women’s football, or a lot of women’s sports, it’s definitely not a lot of people of color. So I was usually the only one on the various teams that I was playing with. Even going to Florida State had a handful for example, Onyi Echegini has a Nigerian background, and Jody Brown, she’s from Jamaica. So we kind of gelled a little bit. It’s sometimes more comfortable to chill with the people who grew up in the same, sense that you did in regards to music, how you speak, your banter, all those sorts of things. So I’ve definitely had a hand few, at the different teams. Even here in Chicago, have ‘Meese (Jameese Joseph) who’s from Trinidad, and have Nadia, who’s still into that sort of vibe. So it’s definitely cool. And I think you always have that one or two who kind of share some similar backgrounds as you. But definitely, usually, every place that I’ve been in, every team, usually is shifted in the other direction.

Growing up, I think it helps when you do see players who looks like you. It helps you to think maybe I can do this. We do have players like you, Nadia , Jameese, and others like Michelle Alozie. Everyone who’s out on the field doing their thing. And even getting more diverse people in the crowds and audiences who know they can be involved in something like this.

Yeah, totally 100% nice and cool to see over the years. It’s always cool. I always love when I look up in the stands and there’s Black people in the stands following soccer.

Depending on if you saw people who looked like you, did it, impact your view of soccer? As far as you thinking you could do it or not?

Not really. I think growing up in Bermuda, I had a lot of girls who came from similar backgrounds that I did. My complexion and or darker. But I didn’t stay in Bermuda for that long at all. I was super open minded from a young age. I didn’t really let anything deter me from the goals that I had for myself. If anything, used it as a tool for motivation. You want to be, the people that people get along with. Because at the end of the day, I care more about the person that I am, more than the soccer player that I am.

Moving to England at a young age. I had a best friend who was based out of China, a best friend in Barbados, in Australia, in all these different places. It really made me appreciate culture, and backgrounds and build those relationships with different people from all over the world. So when I translated to soccer, it was pretty easy. Cared more about what I was doing on the field, making sure that I was being a good teammate. People enjoyed being around me, and vice versa. Think it was always nice to see more girls, with my complexion get more opportunities. I think that was probably the most inspirational thing. Not so eager to kind of compete in that area, but more so excited that the game is growing and touching those people and making sure that everyone gets equal opportunities to play the sport at a high level and be rewarded for it.

Who were some players that you looked up to starting out?

I definitely loved Marta growing up. She was someone who I just thought was just changing the game completely. She was incredible. She was like the Ronaldo of women’s football, and my favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo. So that’s kind of where that resemblance came in. So those are my two on the women’s and men’s side.

Where do you see the future of women’s soccer heading?

It’s going to continue to grow. I hope it does. It’s already made drastic advancements from where it’s been in the past. It’s on an upward scale. As I’m learning now, so much that happens outside of what you do on the soccer field plays a part in the opportunities for the sport to grow. Us players can’t really dive into too much that’s out of our realm of expertise. But I think if we focus on playing the game, making it more competitive. I think small things like how it’s cool to see players, celebrating and doing all these little celebrations and getting amped up, and they have these fit checks before games and media is putting time and effort into what they’re publishing to the public. All these little things, it’s going to help gravitate more people towards the sport. I say the word vibe a lot, when something has a good vibe you’re gravitated towards it. I personally don’t know much about baseball. I don’t know who plays. I don’t know how it works.

It’s so long. 

It’s so long, but when I get there and the music’s bumping with a drink and a hot dog, the vibes are just nice. It’s stuff like that I think is going to grow the game 100% and it’s going to continue to make strides.  It’s important for there to be continued investment in women’s sports. You have to have a realistic approach to everything. I know there’s differences between the men’s and women’s game in regards to how much revenue these teams are bringing in and how many eyes are watching, but the fact that it’s getting better every year, that’s something to be proud of. And hopefully, in five years time, you look back at it and be like, now we have our own Wrigley stadium with all these fans. I think the biggest thing is making sure the fans follow you. And when you’re taking care of business on the field, and just a genuine person, got a genuine team full of a lot of caring people, I think that shows more than any amount of goals and things that you can you can provide.

The more that people are learning about women’s soccer and other women’s sports—we have Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark and all those who are coming up that are making women’s sports—people are like, Okay, wait a minute, this has something to it, for the ones who didn’t know.

You mentioned the fit checks. That’s something that’s also getting people interested. What is the mindset with the fits? Is it just you coming as you are? Or people are watching so you have come ready and a certain way?

Everyone has their own little something. Some people couldn’t care less for that stuff. Some people want to do the whole nine and everything else. In regards to me, I think what’s cool about Chicago too, is again, the vibe. I can kind of allow myself to be myself, in regards to what I wear, in regards to how I speak, how I dress, my demeanor, the music that I listen to, the way that I drive around the city.  I want to just kind of dive into what I’m all about. And that translates to it to what I wear. I’m kind of in this mindset right now where I’d rather be overdressed than underdressed, no matter where I’m at and just like putting something together. I like looking good as generic as it sounds. And I think that translates to how I show up. There’s a certain vibe you’re showing up with on a game day. I do care about those small details leading up to it. Think if you look good, you play good.

What was it like navigating the world of soccer as a young woman?

I think anyone who leaves home, my experience was a bit unique in regards to had to navigate life pretty early. I think more of the stuff came outside of soccer. At the end of the day, you’re a soccer player, but when you come home and you close your door, you’re just a little girl. You’re just still a human being. You got family, relationships, I got a little puppy, now.

You’re a whole parent now. 

I’m a whole mom. No, looking back at it, I’ve learned so much about myself. I left home at 13 years old. But I probably did the most learning in these last two years, just about myself. It’s been an adjustment. I have a newfound appreciation for life outside of those white lines. As soon as I cross them, I’m still trying to have a short-term memory. I used to be someone who lives and breathes with every touch that they take on the soccer field. I think there’s more to life. Life is super short. I think that’s been challenging. It’s been super hard. Life is no joke but I’m still learning. I’m still open to learning, and trying to get better in every facade on the soccer field, but most importantly, I’m taking my time caring about the steps that I’m taking and not being too fixated on wanting to be this crazy, outlandish, crazy, good soccer player.

You already bring a lot to the team. I feel your thing is seeing where you fit in those key moments, either running up behind somebody or being in the moment between players. So what do you think your role is in the team?

I saw one thing about my soccer journey, and I think the outside world sees these things like, Oh, man, she’s killing it. She’s doing well, she just signed this contract, playing pro. Four days into preseason, I tore my pelvic bone and had some other nicks with my meniscus. I was out of preseason for near half of it. It’s stressful because, you just signed, you’re drafted, but you’re not guaranteed a contract. This is the start to my pro career. It was everything but traditional. I’ve learned that I can’t expect things to look traditional anymore. I’m prepared for the adversity. My grandmother always makes sure I’m reminded that the journey was so much sweeter because of those calls at 2am. Those tears, worries, doubts and fears that you have. That’s what’s been so beautiful about my journey, and it’s so unique. It’s so unique to just me. I didn’t think that I would be playing right now, with how my body was feeling and how I was recovering. Didn’t think I would be playing at this level, this consistently.

Here, there’s no school. It’s you and a soccer ball. That’s your job. It’s super competitive, and you’re in your head, because realistically, if you’re not performing, you’re not getting paid. It’s a cutthroat business. I’m just trying to live in the moment. I want to help the team win in any aspect. Super fortunate that I’m able to get minutes on the field, and think the coaches make it easy when they seem to have a lot of faith in you. Now it’s just making sure that I match that faith with how I feel about myself. I’m trying to play as a winner for the first time in my life the other day. [Speaking on recent game against KC.] Anything to help the team, and that’s what I’m willing to do.

We’re trying to instill a whole lot of resilience. You want to get back to that mentality, because you can have all the pretty soccer, but if you’re not able to put in the work, it means nothing. I think that’s something that doesn’t have to start, but can definitely come from me. Although, I’m still a rookie. I’ve only been here for a couple of months, I feel like I can have a big influence and role on this team. And hopefully dive into that role, and make an impact and help the team.