Podcast: Brittany Raphino on another year at Brown, national team experience

Brown University forward Brittany Raphino on the move last season. (Brown Athletics)

The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is Brown University senior forward Brittany Raphino (Randolph, Mass.).

Last month, the former Thayer Academy and Scorpions SC star was named to the United States U-23 Women’s Youth National Team roster for the Thorns Preseason Tournament, which featured three matches against NWSL teams over seven days from March 12-18.

Raphino, who will utilize an extra year of eligibility in 2023, that was granted to players due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been named one of Brown’s team captains for the 2023 season. Raphino is a two-time All-American and the back-to-back reigning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year. Her 24 points led the team in 2022 as she became just the second player in program history to record back-to-back 20-point seasons.  

She joined host Matt Langone to discuss her experience with the national team, the decision to return to Brown for another year, and more.

The full podcast can be accessed below and is available on all major platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review.

Here are some highlights from our discussion with Raphino.

On when she found out that she had earned a national team spot:

Raphino: “When I got the email from my coach, I had no words. I think I was just staring at my phone for at least 10 minutes in shock. It was honestly a dream — growing up that was always a big goal for me, to see if I could get the call-up. When I did, it was just a combination of all the hard work, and sacrifice, and effort, and energy I’ve put into this game and improving myself on and off the field.”

On being named a team captain for her final year at Brown:

Raphino: “First of all, I’m really happy that my team saw me as a leader on the team. The five (captains) of us are going to do an excellent job together, leading it. We all know what it takes to win a championship, so it’s going to be a great experience to lead the team with my best friends. I’m so excited. When I was deciding that I wanted to use my COVID year, I knew there’s no other place I would want to go besides Brown.”

On Brown’s biggest Ivy League rival:

Raphino: “Definitely Harvard. We’ve been up there in the whole soccer world, in general, but usually the two that are battling for the (Ivy) title. There’s always big hype and it’s a big game when we play them.”

On playing both high school/prep soccer and club soccer:

Raphino: “You need to diversify your game and I think at such a young age when you’re still developing as a player and maybe not knowing your identity as a player as much, it’s important to be able to try out those different roles. And especially for me, playing for my high school team was about having fun and we were very successful, but it was always a good reminder of why I play the game, because club can be stressful sometimes, and very competitive. So, it was always good to remember why I love the game, why I started playing in the first place, why I continue to play and why I work so hard.”

The Goal” podcast is brought to you by the New England Revolution and Soccerheads New England.

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