Carle was born in Québec, and she says the culture there gives her style a more “European” and “business-casual” vibe. That’s especially fitting for an Olympic gold medalist who just passed her MCAT. “We all have different ways of dressing up and showing our culture and personalities,” she adds.

Midfielder Deborah Abiodun, 23, hails from Nigeria and has repped her home country with her walk-in looks, alongside 24-year-old forward Gift Monday. “I’m big on culture especially, so every opportunity I get to show myself, I try to bring a little of where I’m from and how much that means to me,” Abiodun explains.

“Where I’m from, [there’s] not a lot of publicity about women’s soccer, or women’s sports in general,” she continues. “Now that women’s sports has started to gain publicity, rightfully deserved, it means so much to me because you can see the importance you play to the younger generation, and the older ones—everything they’ve done, their efforts, and their dedication.”

Hershfelt, who often chronicles the Spirit’s behind-the-scenes moments on her social media (bun checks and tiny mic questions with her teammates often fill the feed), doesn’t take any of it for granted. Of the more recent rise in viewership, she says, “This is something we’ve had to fight for, to be able to express ourselves freely and feel confident and kick ass on the field, but also be like, ‘Look, I am a persona, a brand, a presence.’”

On a more personal note, she adds, “It’s also just so fun for people to feel like they can connect with players through style. For young girls looking up to athletes, it’s cool to see someone who looks like them. Like, you see it with Trin and the little girls wearing the pink braids.”

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