Junior soccer star Annie McBride has been a vital part of the Homewood girls varsity soccer team since her eighth grade year and will take her talent to Samford University next year to play for the Bulldogs.
McBride committed to the Division I school last month, committing to continue her soccer career that’s already dripping with success.
Annie has been nothing short of spectacular in her time at Homewood High School. She featured in the teams that won back to back state championships as well as the time that finished runners up her 8th grade year. Alongside her success with the Patriots, she has led her club team, Alabama FC 06 girls ECNL, to nationals for the past three years.
“I have played since I was 3, so it’s always been a goal for me to go an play at the highest level,” said McBride about her aspirations as a young player.
“I didn’t really have my eye on Samford until recently because I kind of wanted to go farther away from home, but I talked to the coach a lot and went on an unofficial visit and everyone there was just so nice and welcoming,” McBride said. “Which was different from most schools I talked to.”
“I also spoke with some of the girls from the team, and some of the girls from Vestavia and Briarwood, who now play for and they told me that living life on campus is a totally different world.”
Annie’s mother, Mindy McBride, said Annie has always been very determined to make it to the next level.
“I think it has always been a goal [to play at the next level] for Annie,” Mindy said. “Since probably fifth or sixth grade she has wanted to play at the top level that is available to her.”
“It was definitely her own goal,” Mindy said. “She has always loved being on the soccer field since her older sisters started playing when they were little. She has just always been around soccer and took to it very naturally so she has driven the whole process.”
“Everyday she used to make me do 500 juggles before I could do anything,” Annie said when asked about her mom’s role in her process.
“My dad was also extremely important,” Annie said. “Whenever we could, we would go play soccer tennis or drive up to the high school to just kick around.”
“[Her dad] has given her more of the tactical side of the game for sure,” Mindy said. “He always has her sit down to watch games at the highest level to get a different view of what it is she could be doing to improve, and I think that’s something very special.”
Andrew Brower, Annie’s club coach for the past three years, believes that she has always had the quality to be on top.
“Annie is a really technically proficient player, who can play in tight spaces, play both long and short passes, and even strike the ball well,” he said. These really help her separate herself from the rest.”
“Not only can she get involved in the attack, she can also defend very well,” Brower said. “She is very good at breaking up build up, tackling, and defending. She is also very good at heading the ball which is extremely important in the women’s game.”
Brower was very confident in Annie’s abilities and capability of impact at the next leveling, adding that he believes that she is going to make an instant positive impact for the Samford team.