Of the 18 unique roads taken by the players of the United States Women’s National Team to the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, arguably none was less traveled than Houston’s own Kristie Mewis. Capped by the United States fifteen times in 2013 and 2014, Mewis fell off the team’s radar. Following a flurry of trades and a lengthy recovery from a torn ACL, the forward from Boston College found herself at a crossroads.
“I think one of the moments I realized that I just didn't feel important,” reflected Mewis, when asked about the low point of her career. “Especially when I was bouncing around from DC, Chicago, and then to Houston. I wanted to be wanted and valued. Not so much by other people, I didn't feel it for myself, either. I wondered how I got to this point where no one really wants to hold on to me - I didn't feel valuable anymore. That kind of hit home to me; I wasn't in a place that I wanted to be. I don't think other people cared or valued me anymore and were writing me off. That triggered something inside of me to just revamp myself and follow my dreams.”
Mewis’ comeback was born and bred in Houston, where she arrived via trade in the summer of 2017. At a point in her career when many other athletes would not be able to, Mewis – with the support of the Dash – went to work.
“The Dash was the first organization in a while that did believe in me,” said Mewis. “They wanted to invest in me, and they saw me as a success here. When I came here, I immediately felt a sense of home. The club, players and staff were just so welcoming. I really did feel at peace here. That was a huge indicator that I belonged here. I mean, I've obviously been here since then. I think I'm obviously back for a reason all the time. It's just such a such a good feeling and a sense of home here.”
Following four goals and an assist in her comeback 2019 season, Mewis knew that she still had more to give. Following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dash and NWSL returned to action in the 2020 Challenge Cup – an event where, Mewis says, she was sparked to bring her return to the next level.
“I wanted to use that as an opportunity to show what I was really made of and show that I was back,” said Mewis. “The field, in a way, felt more like home last summer. I felt that this was my time; I'm ready, and I'm back. I really did feel that at the Challenge Cup.”
With a Challenge Cup championship in hand, Mewis’ six-year absence from the U.S. National Team came to an end, as she was called up for a friendly against the Netherlands last November. With a goal in the 70th minute, many fans deemed the comeback complete.
But, Mewis had other ideas.
“It's interesting because when I look back, I was just kind of happy to be there,” said Mewis. “I don't really know where it switched, but I think it was sometime in the spring where I said, ‘wow, I could really do this’. I would be devastated if I didn't make it. I don't really know where that flipped, but it's interesting that it did.”
Now, on her own terms, the comeback is fulfilled. A trip to Tokyo awaits, and history too – as her sister, Sam, joins her as the first pair of sisters named to an Olympic side for the U.S. Asked to sum up the moment, Mewis expressed her joy – but was sure to mention what she was leaving behind.
“Yeah, it's been overwhelming,” said Mewis with a smile. “It almost hasn't sunk in yet... I'm going to the Olympics. I'll never forget this week, because this is one of the most exciting things that will ever happen in my career. It's sad because I don't want to leave the girls here. I don't want to leave the team; I want to do the whole season with them. I am going to miss a good chunk of games, but I’m going to be living my dream going to the Olympics. I know the girls will take care of business here while I'm gone. I'll be really excited to get back and join again with them, but I'm going to miss them so much.”
