Boston Breakers Preseason Interview Series: Brazilian Internationals

The Boston Breakers had their first outdoor practice on Saturday, enjoying intermittent sunshine despite snow flurries just that morning. Brazilian internationals Bia, Rafinha, Ketlen Wiggers, and Suzane Pires called it the "toughest one so far" because their feet and hands were frozen, making it hard to move. They also answered a few questions about adjusting to soccer in the NWSL, the state of women's soccer in Brazil, and the differences between American soccer and the rest of the world. (Muito obrigada to Suzane Pires, who translated back and forth from Portuguese.)

Q: From what you've seen so far, what's the biggest difference from the way a practice would be run at, for example, Ferroviaria, versus here?

Rafinha: Even at practice here, the girls are very physical, where in Brazil people aren't as physical in practice.

Q: So what is women's soccer in Brazil like now as opposed to 10 or 15 years ago?

Ketlen Wiggers: There's a lot more people who watch women's soccer in Brazil now, so that's definitely a good thing for women's soccer over there.

Q: It probably wouldn't happen until at least 2027, but would you like to see Brazil's federation bid for a Women's World Cup? Do you think they ever would?

Bia: It would be very interesting for the country, and also if we have well known players like Marta, for example, people would be willing to come out and watch. And that would be great for the country because then people would get to know the players better. So it would help women's soccer grow over there.

Q: Suzane, I heard you had a very good game at the scrimmage against BC and you had a goal. You're kind of being used as that central playmaker. Is that a role you really enjoy or do you prefer to get up more?

Suzane Pires: I like this position of playmaking and I have great players to play with here at the Breakers, so I'm enjoying that position. And I can still get up there and score so that's fun.

Q: You've been all over. I know you were at Stuttgart and you've played in Brazil and now here. Do you see a difference in Germany especially where young players are maybe skipping college, the NCAA system, to go in versus here and do you think it creates some difference in the style of play?

Pires: I think the US it is definitely better the way they do it, that they go to college and then they go to pro soccer because I see many players in Brazil and Germany where they don't go to school and then soccer ends. And in women's soccer you don't make that much money, then what do you do after soccer is over? So I think the US does it well, and the college soccer is such a high level, so I think there is no difference.

Q: In a zombie apocalypse, out of the four of you, which one do you think would go first, and which one would lead everyone to safety?

[Instant agreement]

Pires: Rafi would be the first one to go and Bia would take us all to a safe place.