Jenna’s Soccer Origin Story: “I started playing when I was three or four years old. I have an older sister and she was playing recreational soccer. She’s my best friend to this day. Being the younger one, I wanted to play and realized how much I loved it. I started playing club soccer and progressed along the way.” 

Position on the Field: “I like to play the attacking center-mid role. Anywhere in the midfield is fine. Sometimes I find myself on the wing. I believe I’m pretty technical on the field and I have good vision. Those are my best qualities. I also have a little bit of an edge. I like to run around and be involved in everything. I’m very competitive.” 

Player That Inspired My Playing Style: “Eden Hazard. I watched a lot of videos of him playing.” 

On Playing for Gotham FC: “I love the idea of playing not just for one city, but for two states. That’s pretty incredible. To play soccer professionally is a dream in itself. But to live in the New Jersey-New York area is such an amazing bonus. I’m really excited to play in front of our fans and in our great stadium. This is a great opportunity to live my life in an area where there’s so much culture. Coming from California, it’s a whole new way of life.” 

Getting to Know New York: “I’ve already experienced driving to the wrong places! So that was my first taste of getting around. I love the fast pace. I’m still getting to know the area, but I’m looking forward to experiencing everything the city has to offer.” 

How I Celebrate Wins: “With my teammates. There’s nothing better.” 

Personal Style: “The first thing I focus on is jewelry. I love to wear gold jewelry. Until a year ago, I wore silver all the time, but a close friend asked me why I wore silver when I could switch to gold. It’s clear my friend was really looking out for me! But I don’t know if I have a specific style. I like to wear what I think is cute. Sometimes I like to wear color and sometimes I like to wear all black. I think I have a pretty good style, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary. I admire people who do, and I love to see how they pull it off.” 

Pregame Ritual: “My hair. I have to have it looking good. No bumps or anything. If it doesn’t look good, it leads to stress. Look good feel good."

If Not for Soccer: “I was a business and finance major, so I’d probably be doing something in the business world.” 

Best Advice Received: “It’s always been about overcoming adversity. Every time you fail at something, it’s an opportunity to learn.” 

Advocacy: “I’m a major advocate for mental health. I speak about this a lot. I believe we’re in a bit of a mental health crisis where there’s not enough support for everything going on in the world. Everywhere, we need more investment in mental health treatment and support.” 

Hobbies: Reading. “I’m a big Colleen Hoover fan. Also, thrillers.” 

Food: Sushi, bento boxes, ramen, Poke bowls, Pad Thai 

Social Media Follows: “I like following my friends!” 

Quote: “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit."

Jewelry Brand: Gorjana, out of Laguna Beach, California. “It’s fun for me to wear something from my home state of California.”  

Celebrity I’d Like to See at a Gotham FC Game:  Wayne Rooney. “I’m a huge Man United fan.”