For ECNL club Albion Hurricanes FC, Leah Klenke rarely left the field. For the University of Notre Dame, where Klenke is a junior, the Houston, Texas product played 43 matches over her first two seasons – starting all 43 -and was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and Second Team-All ACC as sophomore.
At the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Klenke has played all five games thus far as a substitute. And that’s just fine with her.
“For me, it’s just all about the team,” said Klenke, who has made a huge impact as a reserve in Colombia, playing in all five matches and getting some crucial minutes during crunch time of the two knockout stage wins. “A team-first mentality is huge. I look at this experience from the perspective that, when I was young, this was always my dream, to play for my country, to play in a World Cup. So, I’m super grateful for any opportunity I get. I know I control my performance, and the rest is out of my hands. The players who start are on the field for a reason and everyone is going to do their jobs well.”
Klenke’s role in this World Cup has been to spell right back Gisele Thompson, and she’s replaced the Angel City defender in all five games, rampaging down the right side while keeping her mark in check. She came into the round of 16 match against Mexico with the game tied 2-2, and the USA won 3-2 in overtime. She came into the quarterfinal against Germany with the USA down 1-0, which turned into a 2-0 deficit, and then helped the USA scratch back to tie with two late goals.
In the penalty kick shootout, she calmly converted her spot kick -- the USA’s second make out of three -- to help the Americans earn a semifinal berth.
“I just try to impact the game whenever I get on the field,” said Klenke. “Honestly, I stick to the basics. I do need to calm myself down because there’s always a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement, but my teammates make it so much easier. They are always encouraging and full of support.”
At 5-foot-10, with long strides that eat up large swaths of grass, Klenke is an imposing physical presence, fearless in every tackle and challenging for every head ball. But U.S. head coach Tracey Kevins likes the mental side of her game just as much.
“She has the ability to stay so steady emotionally,” said Kevins. ”Any role she’s asked to play, she’s willing to do it, and she’s made a massive impact in every game. She’s the ultimate teammate.”
Klenke says she’s not so sure about keeping those emotions in check, but the fact that she’s having so much darn fun certainly helps.
“You’re doing what you love to do and, so, I just have fun with it,” she said. “But I do have to remember to breathe. Don’t forget to breathe, Leah!”
There was plenty of oxygen needed at the end of the Germany match, where the USA pulled out an improbable, dramatic, and yes, breathtaking, comeback for the ages.
“The games are just so fun,” said Klenke. “Stressful at times, of course, but afterwards so fun and this team is just great. All of these games were definitely battles, but we believe in ourselves and got through it. These are some memories I’ll never forget. I know in 10 years I’ll look back on this tournament and be like 'whoa, did that happen?’ so now, I’m just trying to enjoy it in the moment.”
After the World Cup, Klenke will return to South Bend, Indiana and finish her junior season. She’s planning to graduate in December and then she’ll take things as they come, but she’s definitely excited to give pro soccer a go when she’s ready.
No matter where she signs, that team will be getting a player willing to play her role and play it well.