Sullivan takes in experiences with U.S. at CWU20

Andi Sullivan (#19) is the youngest player on the U.S. roster at the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship. (Photo: Mexsport) GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -- Andi Sullivan is your average American teenager – except that she spends her winter break in the Cayman Islands holding stingrays and wearing the captain’s armband for the United States in the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship. It’s been a whirlwind for the Lorton, Virginia, native who thought she’d be in the classroom at South County Secondary School right now rather than in the Caribbean. “I did not expect at all this year to be doing it again with the U-20s,” expressed Sullivan.  “I’m very honored to be part of this team.  I think we’re only growing as a team, the chemistry is building and we’re all feeding off of that.” The 17-year-old midfielder is the youngest player on the United States roster, a fact her teammates don’t let her forget.  Sullivan said she’s more than willing to endure the pinches on her cheeks and being called the baby of the team to soak up the experiences of a roster almost exclusively comprised of Division I college players. “I’m non-stop talking to them because I know they have experiences I don’t,” Sullivan said.  “I’m very much looking forward to joining them in the college environment.  They’re always helpful, even if they do make fun of me a little bit.” Listed as the No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2014 by Top Drawer Soccer, Sullivan has verbally committed to Stanford University. “It’s the full package, everything I look for in a school,” Sullivan noted.  “I had a lot of good options and I felt I couldn’t go wrong, but I’m so excited to go there and every time I think about attending that school I get excited.  I know I made the right decision.” Being the only high schooler on the roster also has its share of unique challenges, especially since classes resumed January 6. “I have a bunch of textbooks and I have Internet so I can figure out what my assignments are doing as much as I can while I’m here,” Sullivan said.  “When I go home I’ll really focus on it.  My teachers understand what type of opportunity this is and they’re very supportive and understanding.” Sullivan said her experience playing with the Bethesda SC Freedom since U-13 has been instrumental in helping her reach this elite level. “I feel that playing soccer for Bethesda, which is very possession-oriented throughout the entire club and being a good soccer player who really understands the game, I feel like that has helped me a ton,” Sullivan commented. Sullivan was a member of the United States team that won the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship in Guatemala, scoring two goals in three games.  In the U-20 competition, she has one goal – scored from the penalty spot against Jamaica. “Every time that anthem plays, even just putting on the training gear is a dream,” beamed Sullivan. “When I was four, I knew what I wanted to do was play on the full women’s national team.  To know I’m representing my country as a youth player is extremely special.  It’s very inspiring.  It’s not ‘I’ve made it,’ it’s ‘look what I’m doing, look how much more I can do.’” Sullivan said she’s also enjoying her time in the Cayman Islands, especially since there’s such a buzz about the competition. “The Cayman Islands have been such a phenomenal host,” Sullivan said.  “I’m surprised at how many people are coming to our games and we’re walking around the hotel and the games are on the TV.  That’s really fun, to have that type of support for women’s soccer and the United States.  I’m honestly loving it here.” Since being selected in a pool of possible players for the CONCACAF event, Sullivan has thought about competing in the U-20 World Cup. “It’s all I’ve been thinking about since a year ago,” Sullivan finished.  “I wasn’t really expecting to be on this team from when I started.  The fact that I’m here is great.  I just want the team to do great and if we qualify onto Canada, I don’t know what to say.  Talking about it makes me excited and makes my brain go crazy.”