My dad has always played and coached, so that's what I knew. I played other sports but always turned toward soccer and had the same love for it as my father. They never forced me to play; I always wanted to. I was always around it.

Ali Krieger’s quote, "My dad has always played and coached, so that's what I knew. I played other sports but always turned toward soccer and had the same love for it as my father. They never forced me to play; I always wanted to. I was always around it," reflects the strong influence of family and passion in shaping her love for soccer. Krieger describes how her father’s involvement in the sport as both a player and a coach created an environment where soccer was a natural part of her life. This exposure fostered a deep connection to the sport, and her personal desire to play emerged from the love and familiarity she felt toward it.

The origin of this quote lies in Krieger’s upbringing, where her father’s active participation in soccer became a cornerstone of her own athletic journey. Rather than being forced into the sport, Krieger’s passion for soccer developed organically through her experiences and the influence of her father. This sense of voluntary commitment and intrinsic motivation highlights how the love for a sport can be passed down through family without the pressure of obligation.

By stating, "They never forced me to play; I always wanted to," Krieger emphasizes that her love for soccer was self-driven, stemming from her environment and the example set by her father. The quote illustrates how inspiration and role models can shape an individual's choices and desires without the need for coercion. Her father’s example was enough to ignite her own passion, showing how positive influence can guide a person toward discovering and pursuing their own path.

In essence, Krieger’s quote speaks to the power of family influence and the natural development of interests when nurtured in a supportive environment. Her story exemplifies how shared passions within families can lead to deep personal connections to activities like sports, and how exposure and encouragement, rather than force, can inspire a lifelong love for something.