Deep into the NWSL offseason, many Thorns FC players are keeping fit and sharpening their skills in leagues overseas. In Portland defender Rachel Van Hollebeke case, she has crossed the Pacific Ocean for part of her offseason playing for Iga Kunoichi of the Nadeshiko League in Japan.
Located in the central part of the country midway between Nagoya and Osaka, the city of Iga was a one-time center of study for the art of ninjutsu during the 1400-1600s and home to the famous samurai Hattori Hanzo in the 16th century (Not the Hanzo popular in the Kill Bill films and other pop culture...the real Hattori Hanzo). It should come as no surprise then, that the team’s name, Kunoichi, is the female version of ninja.
For Van Hollebeke, the new experience abroad has presented an entirely new language and culture as she broadens her soccer experience.
Japan is quite a change from Portland. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered while there?
Rachel Van Hollebeke: “Wow, there are so many differences between Japan and Portland. In my day-to-day life, everything in Japan is an adventure. Driving on the opposite side of the road, integrating into a new culture, communicating with my coaches and teammates—it is all challenging and a lot of fun. The most surprising thing has been how little English is spoken and written here. Characters are primarily used for writing, which can make reading signage and getting around a bit tough. Also, the work ethic of the entire population is absolutely incredible. I knew Japanese people were hard workers, however, work ethic is a very big part of their culture and it has exceeded my expectations.”
What’s been your favorite experience—on or off the field—so far in Japan?
RVH: “A group of our teammates come over to our apartment for dinner every week. We make nabe, which is type of Japanese soup that is traditionally a family meal. During dinner we talk about our lives and cultures using a combination of broken English, body language, and help from translator apps. It is hilarious and so much fun. And after dinner we usually have a Japanese/English lesson exchange.
Another incredible experience was when our team participated in the Ueno Tenjin Shrine Festival. We were part of the big parade on the last day of the festival. We wore kimonos and got to pull a huge, very old, ornately decorated cart down the main street of town. Afterward, we ate lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. The whole day was an amazing cultural experience.”
How’s your Japanese coming along?
RVH: “Haha! Despite my efforts, it is not coming along very well. Japanese is difficult and very different from English. I have learned soccer terminology and a few important words and phrases, but that is about it.”
Boston Breakers midfielder Kristie Mewis is also now a teammate with Iga Kunoichi and your roommate there. It must be nice having a fellow American. Have you two bonded?
RVH: “Yes! It is incredible having Kristie here and I don’t know what I would do without her. Every day there is something funny or interesting that happens, that only another American would appreciate, and it is great to share those moments with her. We have become very close and do everything together. She is a great friend.”
What do you miss the most about home? Is there anything you looking forward to eating, doing, etc. when you return to Portland?
RVH: “I love Japan, but there are definitely a lot of things I miss about America. Besides family and friends, I mostly miss the little things that I usually take for granted. For example, the garbage system is very complicated in Japan. They only take recyclables once a month, and paper, glass, cans, plastic bottles, etc. are all on different days and have to be packaged in specific ways. If you don’t do it correctly, they won’t take it. As Americans, it is pretty hard to figure out the in’s and out’s of the trash system here.
Also, while there are plenty of sweets in Japan, pastries, cakes, and donuts galore, we have not found good chocolate chip cookies. And we don’t have an oven in our apartment, so we can’t even attempt to bake them.”
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Elsewhere around the world, Steph Catley and the Melbourne Victory picked up a big win over the weekend as the captain scored her second goal of the season in a 3-0 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers. The win moved the Victory back into the top four and just two points off the pace of second place.
Nadine Angerer returned to the starting lineup for the Brisbane Roar last weekend. Angerer registered a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Adelaide United.
The Portland teammates square off again this weekend as Brisbane and Melbourne meet for the second time this season. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the previous meeting in which both Catley and Angerer featured for their squads.
Watch the preview video here for the upcoming match, which includes highlights of Catley’s latest assist and goal with for the Victory.
Alex Morgan was in town this week and Jamie Goldberg had a chance to catch up with the Thorns FC forward to see how her offseason has been going.
