June 21, 2015
Vanderbilt’s Lina Granados is living a childhood dream by playing for the Colombian National Team in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The redshirt junior is the first active Commodore soccer player to represent a country in the Women’s World Cup. She has spent the last two weeks in Canada as Colombia advanced out of group play for the first time. Las Cafeteras, one of 16 teams left standing, will play the United States in the first round of knockout play at 7 p.m. on Monday in Edmonton on Fox Sports 1.
Granados, who has dual citizenship with Colombia and the U.S., took a few minutes away from the team’s busy schedule in Canada to answer a few questions about her experience so far, stepping onto the field for the first time, upsetting third-ranked France and the surreal feeling of playing the USA.
How would you describe the overall experience at your first Women’s World Cup?
Overall it has been more than I could have even imagined. I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to represent my country in other tournaments, but to be on the sport’s biggest stage is absolutely amazing. The one thing that astounds me and I think will never stop surprising me is the amount of Colombians in the world. No matter where we go, there are always fans and supporters waiting for us at the hotels or airport. We are very proud of where we come from and that has been evident during this tournament. It gives us even more motivation to leave it all on the field.
Since you were called up to the team just days before the World Cup began, how much of a whirlwind has it been, especially those first few days? And how welcoming and accepting has the team been to you since you were called up?
The first few days, I don’t even think I had time to really take it all in. Within an hour of landing I was rushed to the hotel, into an interview, pictures, video, and a FIFA meeting. It was completely overwhelming. The team has been really accepting and welcomed me warmly, especially considering Melissa (Ortiz), the player who got hurt, was a very cared for teammate.
What was that moment like when you walked out to the field before the first game against Mexico? Was it emotional wearing that uniform and hearing that anthem on the sport’s biggest stage?
When we got to the stadium and into the locker room our uniforms are hung up with our last names showing, seeing Granados on the No. 5 jersey was an inexplicable feeling. Part of what we do before we go out to warm up is blast music and dance and goof around a little bit. That definitely calmed my nerves and helped me realize that this is a family; no matter what happens out there we are going to support each other. Right before we walk out to officially play we pray in the locker room with our whole family, coaching staff and all, and we play the national anthem. That’s a very touching moment within our team.
What has been the highlight of the tournament so far?
There have been two moments that I know I will never forget — when we beat France and walking out to play England. During the England game there was more than 13,000 attendants. Although we were playing in an Olympic stadium, which was massive, 13,000 doesn’t even come close to filling it. The amazing moment was when we realized that at least 12,000 of those fans watching the game were wearing Colombia colors. The amount of support we felt was unimaginable. The National Anthem of Colombia is very long and they just play the first part of it. When the loud speaker turned off the crowd continued to sing. My whole team stopped for a moment when we realized it and we were in awe. I don’t think any one of us expected for that to happen.
How surreal of a moment was it to defeat France? What was the reaction like on the field, with the fans and with friends and family?
It was incredible. When knew it was going to be a tough game and after our tie with Mexico we were still looking to get our first win in a World Cup ever. When Lady Andrade scored the first goal our bench exploded, our fans were going crazy and there was no doubt that we could beat them. Our goal keeper was having the game of her life and our team was playing incredible, we were having fun out there. When Catalina Usme scored the second goal in the last few minutes, we knew the victory was ours. Our coach had tears in his eyes, my teammates couldn’t sit down, our fans were jumping up and down. The final whistle blew and some of our players fell to the floor, others congratulated each other and enjoyed the spectacular moment with each other. Our assistant coach actually fainted from the emotions. It was too much. We had made history in the best possible way. Our first World Cup victory was over third-ranked France. It was the biggest upset in the World Cup, and the first time that a low-ranked team beat an European powerhouse.
Was the team confident they would make it out of the group stage? And how special is it to be a part of the first Colombian team to make it to the knockout round?
We were confident that we had what it takes to make it out of the group stage, but we knew that we had to take everything game by game. It is great to be part of this. We are making history.
What has the whole trip been like? What have you been doing in the off days? Have you been able to see a lot of the country?
The whole trip has been taking things day by day. There is a lot that goes into being here that isn’t just practice and games. We haven’t really had any off days, the ones we have had we have been traveling to either Montreal or Edmonton. They have taken us out once in Moncton and Edmonton. We got to see most of Canada out of the plane’s window though.
I understand your parents and brothers were trying to come up to the Women’s World Cup. Did they make it for the whole tournament and how special is it to have them up there cheering you on?
My parents were able to come up for the time we were in Moncton and Montreal but they had to go back to pack up our house and move (to Houston from Ashburn, Va.). Unfortunately, Edmonton is a little too far away for them to make the trip up. It was great to have them there because this hasn’t just been my dream but my parents’ dream too and we have been a team since the beginning. Being called up was a dream come true for all of us.
Colombia plays the U.S. in the knockout stage on Monday. Will that be weird, special, exciting since you are a citizen of both countries?
I’ve thought about it since Colombia played the U.S. in the last Olympics. It is definitely going to be weird and a little special. I will always be thankful for all the opportunities that I have had in the U.S., especially with soccer, but I am 100 percent Colombian. It is not just where I was born but it is in my blood, in my heart. I am insanely proud of where I come from and the beautiful country that I ultimately call home.
You talked about playing with some of your Colombia idols. Will it be surreal to be sharing the same field with some Americans you might have grown up watching and looking up to, like Abby Wambach? Are there other American athletes that you’ll be starstruck around when you see them — Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, etc.?
It will definitely be strange being on the same field as those big names on the U.S. team but in the end they are just another team looking to win the same trophy we are. We are staying in the same hotel as the USA, and when we first arrived Alex Morgan was lying on a couch talking on her phone. It definitely struck me for a second that she was there, but like I said they are in the same position as we are and we are incredibly motivated and pumped to be playing that game on Monday.
How much will this experience help you, motivate you, energize you in the future and benefit your game?
I think this experience is one of the biggest motivators that I will have. I’ve worked hard for so many years, and earning this opportunity is a reminder that it is possible.
