Athletes heading into a major international competition often face numerous uncertainties. They worry about playing time, the strengths of their competitors, and how they will perform during the games.

However, for Lynn Williams, a star player for the US Women’s National Team who is about to participate in her first World Cup, there is one thing she can rely on: her diet.

Lynn shared that before every game, regardless of the location, she always has pancakes for her pregame meal. While pancakes might not be the typical choice for a breakfast of champions, Williams believes they provide her with the ideal fuel to perform at her best for the entire 90 minutes of the match.

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Who is USWNT player Lynn Williams?

Lynn Raenie Williams, born on May 21, 1993, is an American professional soccer player currently playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL and representing the US national team. Previously, she has played for teams like the Kansas City Current, Western New York Flash, and Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League Women.

Raised in Fresno, California, by her parents David and Christine, Williams was actively involved in varsity volleyball during her time at Bullard High School. She received recognition as an all-league and all-area performer for all four years of her high school career.

Williams concluded her remarkable high school soccer journey with an impressive tally of 47 assists and setting the school record for goals scored with 117, which is remarkable for both boys and girls.

In her senior year in 2011, she showcased her scoring prowess, netting an impressive 50 goals, earning her a spot on the third team of the ESPN RISE All-Americans. Her contributions played a significant role in the team’s success, as they secured county and section championships in the same year and finished as runners-up in the regional final. For her outstanding performances, Williams was also honored as the Player of the Year by The Fresno Bee.

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Williams played for the Waves while a student at Pepperdine University from 2011 until 2014.

She started each of the 20 games during her rookie season, was third on the squad in goals scored with 6, and led the Waves in assists with 8. Second on the team with 20 points, she was. In addition to being awarded the West Coast Conference’s (WCC) Freshman of the Year, she also received recognition from Soccer America’s Freshman All-American first team, the NSCAA’s All-West Region second team, the WCC’s All-Freshman team, and the WCC. Williams tied for second with two games with multiple assists and set a new school record by scoring in five straight games.

The Western New York Flash picked Williams with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft.

On April 12, 2015, she made her club debut during the team’s season-opening matchup with the Seattle Reign FC. Williams scored four goals in her 17 games this season. The Flash finished with a 6-9-5 record, placing eighth.

Williams was one of the NWSL’s breakout talents in 2016. She and Houston Dash forward Kealia Ohai shared the league lead with 11 goals each. Williams received the Golden Boot because she outpaced Ohai in the number of assists.

Williams was included in the 2016 NWSL Best XI and was named 2016 NWSL Most Valuable Player. Williams scored two goals in extra time during the NWSL Playoffs to help the Flash defeat the Portland Thorns and progress to the Championship Game. Williams’ game-tying header in the final minute of extra time of the 2016 NWSL Championship Game forced penalties. Williams made her penalty kick count as the Flash defeated the Washington Spirit.

The Western New York Flash was formally sold to new ownership on January 9, 2017, moved to North Carolina, and changed its name to the North Carolina Courage. Williams was awarded the Team of the Month for April after scoring 9 goals for North Carolina in 2017. In 2017, North Carolina won the Shield, but the Portland Thorns defeated them in the NWSL Championship Game.

Williams departed for Australia in October 2019 to sign a loan agreement with Western Sydney Wanderers of the W-League. She ended her contract early in February 2020 in order to concentrate on her international career.

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Williams made his way back to Australia in December 2021, joining Melbourne Victory as a guest player on a one-month loan. On January 13, 2022, her loan came to an end.

Williams was transferred from the North Carolina Courage to the Kansas City Current on Monday, January 10, in exchange for goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland’s rights, $200,000 in allocation money, and a first-round choice in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Sam Mewis, Kristen Hamilton, and Hailie Mace, Williams’ former Courage teammates, are now back together.

Williams suffered a right leg injury on March 18, 2022, and she missed the rest of the 2022 NWSL season.

Kansas City Current moved Williams to Gotham FC on January 12, 2023, during the NWSL Draft, in return for the second overall pick.

Williams gained her first call-up to the United States women’s national team in October 2016 for a pair of friendlies against Switzerland following a standout 2016 NWSL season.

Williams was selected for the 2017 SheBelieves Cup team and scored the game-winning goal in the United States’ 1-0 victory over Germany.

Williams was selected for the 2018 SheBelieves Cup squad, where the U.S. WNT won the competition for the second time.

Williams received another call-up to the national team in the latter part of 2019, following the replacement of departing head coach Jill Ellis by new coach Vlatko Andonovski.

Williams was added to the American team’s roster for the 2020 Summer Olympics on June 23, 2021.