Giving back
CRANBERRY TWP — Meghan Klingenberg's whirlwind return home to the Pittsburgh area ended with her camp at Graham Park in Cranberry over the weekend.
Klingenberg, 24, a Gibsonia native, is a defender on the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer championship team. Dressed in all black on a hot Saturday, Klingenberg moved around teaching her 140 campers a variety of different skills.
Klingenberg did all this despite being scheduled to play with the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League today at the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Mo. The game was originally scheduled for last Wednesday, but was moved to today last week.
“When I have my camp, I try to give it my all,” Klingenberg said during her media availability Friday at the Allegheny Health Network Health and Wellness Pavilion in Wexford. “I'm high-intensity, I'm playing with the kids, I'm jumping in and doing different things. At the same time, I haven't been able to train or lift or run to prep for a game on Monday. That's something I need to talk about to my coaching staff.”
Being able to work with the kids during what was a three-day event was appreciated by the campers. Caroline Curry, 13, of Gibsonia, had a Pine-Richland water bottle with her at the event.
“I liked the footies, where she taught us to go in small areas with our quick feet,” Curry said.
It also gave other local organizations an opportunity to get involved. Steel City FC, which is a semi-professional women's soccer team, had several players on hand to help with the camp.
Steel City FC was founded by Butler native Stephanie Harrison. The team finished 6-2-1 and made the playoffs during its first season this year.
While the hot weather left many of the campers weary, the Klingenberg camp avoided the wet weather that has plagued the Pittsburgh area this summer.
The camp also included tickets to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' 2-1 loss to Louisville Saturday at Highmark Field. Klingenberg was again honored by her hometown.
Curry was glad the schedule worked out.
“She's like an inspiration to me, playing with her is so amazing,” Curry said. “I always watched her and wanted to meet her in person.”
