Alyssa-Gisele, the Next Kristie-Sam?
It’s not every day that India hosts a FIFA U-17 World Cup, and 16-year-old Gisele Thompson cherished the opportunity to represent team USA. I couldn’t miss the chance to cover this event, the sport on display, and the Americans–even if I had to call it soccer for 20 days.
So who is Gisele Thompson? She is a young baller from Studio City, Los Angeles. A student at Harvard-Westlake High School and a defender in the Team USA U-17 World Cup squad.
Without many interruptions, here is my candid conversation with the rising star. This took place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022. [10.13.2022]
Q: How did you enter the world of soccer?
“Our parents really encouraged us [referring to both herself and her sister, Alyssa]; they wanted us to be athletic. We had so much energy all the time–so they put us into multiple sports–soccer, basketball, track, gymnastics–we played everything when we were little.”
“We exposed them to everything,” her father had mentioned in an interview with Today. “Not necessarily that they were going to be great at it. It was just like–let’s keep them busy.”
“But neither my dad or mum are very tall, so they knew we would be pretty short,” Gisele said with a giggle. “So yeah, soccer was decided from there,” she concluded.
As I sat beside her in the Bhubaneswar hotel, she exuded the youth and innocence of a 16-year-old. The previous evening though, when the USA put eight past India, Gisele looked a different kind of beast.
Alyssa Thompson is Gisele’s elder sister. They are just 13 months apart. However, they share a close bond and have already made headlines as the first pair of high-schoolers to strike a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike.
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Q: Given the small age gap, did you and Alyssa experience most things together while growing up?
Turns out that although Alyssa isn’t that much older, her actions and words were still influential.
“We did experience things together, but she also influenced a lot of my decisions. I definitely followed her and aimed to be like her,” Gisele confessed with a smile.
Surely the younger one would be starry-eyed, given what Alyssa has gone on to do at just 17. “Yeah, I thought the older sister was so cool. I wanted to do what she did.” Their relationship was unique because, in addition to looking up to her, the reality was–”But yeah, we did everything together. We are so close in age, it was almost like having a twin,” said Gisele.
This wholesome side to a sibling bond surely comes with some competition, right? Especially in a sporty family? Gisele confirmed so. “I think our whole family is very competitive. We definitely get it from our dad. I’m always trying to win, even though she’s older and is also trying to win everything.
Q: What has your best soccer memory been so far?
One of her best memories in soccer has also come alongside Alyssa, no surprise there. “Definitely winning the U-15 CONCACAF Championship with her. It was really fun doing it with her. We haven’t played together in a while, but just that memory of winning together was really cool. Our dad was there to support us too. It was just the best feeling.”
This sit-down chat came five days after Alyssa Thompson made her senior team debut at Wembley in front of 76,000+ people. Gisele has also just made her World Cup debut. Yes, a youth tournament, but still a pretty big deal. Both sisters thrive in their own right within the US Soccer umbrella.
I know what you are thinking. Is the two of them playing together on the senior team a possibility one day? The Mewis sisters have done it before. I just had to ask her.
Q: Can Alyssa-Gisele be the next Kristie-Sam one day?
“Hopefully!” Says the 16-year-old, with determination in her voice. “Alyssa has lived out her dream, and we always dreamed about playing on the senior team together. Seeing her play there definitely gives me more inspiration to keep pushing and motivates me. Anything is possible.”
Anything is possible. So true. I took a moment to dive deeper into that historic debut.
Q: What was Alyssa’s reaction post-match? Did you touch base with her?
“She was so happy. It was an incredible experience.”
Surely Alyssa would have been nervous in front of a massive crowd? “Everyone [the senior team members] was giving her so much support,” Gisele mentioned. “I was really happy for her. She deserves all of it for all the hard work she has put in. She definitely wants to do it again, you know. This is just the beginning,” she concluded.
She got the call up ☎️
Congrats to #U20WYNT forward Alyssa Thompson on her first Senior Team Call Up. Well deserved 👏 pic.twitter.com/oc9TDJMtqH
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) September 29, 2022
Both young women have already verbally committed to higher studies at the prestigious Stanford University.
Q: Why did you both pick Stanford?
“I think we chose Stanford not only for sports but for academics too. After football, we want to pursue other things because soccer is not our whole life. So getting a degree from Stanford would help that. Also, our high school is really academic, too so it’s helping us pursue that,” said Gisele.
Past interviews with her have revealed that she excels in academics and sports in school. So I was keen to find out what she plans to study.
“So I want to study something in business because my uncle does that, and I have been interested in that, but I’ll have to see because I still have a while before I go to college,” she said with a smile. Suddenly I remembered that she is 16 and still had her high school experience left.
One rarely travels across the globe to a land of new people and cultures. But, via this World Cup, Gisele and Team USA got to experience India, the land of culture and possibility.
“Honestly, I had no idea what the country was like. Once I came here, I just loved the culture. The feeling of just being here is amazing, especially for a World Cup. It’s a new experience to have. The garlic naan is soooo goooood. I eat a bunch of that during lunch and dinner,” she confessed.
They were here for business, though. A trophy on the line. How sensational would it be to lift that silverware for the team?
“It would literally mean the world to us. We have been working so hard as a team to get here, and we are finally here. We are so close to each other – like a second family. Doing this would be making history, it would be amazing.”
Q: How close is the team really?
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“We are like sisters. We always hang out together, laugh, and have fun during meals too. On the field, we are competitive too. It definitely helps us become better players.”
Gisele also adds that they all stay in touch and miss each other when national team camps are not in session. “We come back to these camps looking forward to seeing each other.”
So what does the team get up to in their free time?
“We try to do homework,” she giggles, “but it doesn’t always work out. We just hang out together and talk. It’s just really fun.”
I asked Gisele to comment on her experience with the entire US Soccer set up, the coaches, staff and everything else. It’s a reputed system, and I wanted to hear from a beneficiary.
“You know all of them help us in our performance. It’s our job to play good and their job to help us. Also, in a different environment, it is important for them to keep us healthy. As for jet lag this WC, we went to Dubai first, so it was easier to cope with the jetlag. Our trainer creates a schedule for us too.”
I did a quick rapid-fire with her as well.
Q: Funniest on the team?
“Mia [Bhuta] & Savvy [Savannah King],” she said confidently after a short pause.
Q: Loudest on the pitch?
“Cam [Cameron Roller],” she exclaimed instantly. I can confirm, the 5′ 9″ defender definitely had a commanding presence on the field.
Q: Who is the coach’s pet, if any?
She immediately burst into laughter and said, “Mia!” Turns out they have a running joke between them and I had asked the right question at the right time!
The interview was capped off with her thoughts on being selected for this World Cup, traveling across the globe, and all the support the team has received.
“Crazy and so unexpected,” Gisele said. “It is so exciting, especially with all the support from my family, friends, and all of my teammates here, it is very exciting to see where we go!!”
USA’s best finish at this competition was runners-up in 2008 with a team that had both the Mewis sisters on it. Unfortunately for Team USA, this time around, they were knocked out by Nigeria in the quarter-final stage. Penalty kicks are always a source of joy and heartbreak at the same time.
Gisele mentioned one of her dreams was to win the World Cup, which will have to wait. No doubt she will be back on the global stage. Till then, she is keen to graduate high school and get another opportunity to play alongside Alyssa.
Featured images via @alyssthomp and @giselethomp on Instagram
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