I Follow: Julie Foudy

 Soccer commentators Rebecca Lowe, left, and Julie Foudy from Dresden, Germany.

Editor’s note: “I Follow” is all about ESPN employees on Twitter: what they tweet, whom they follow and how you can interact socially with anyone and everyone.

Today, we highlight ESPN soccer analyst Julie Foudy, who offers a multi-faceted inside view of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 on her Twitter feed.

On Twitter, she supplies commentary on teams’ performances, thoughts on Team USA’s thrilling quarterfinal victory over Brazil, and more.

Foudy joined Twitter in May. Here’s an inside look at her Twitter profile. [Photos courtesy Kostas Karipidis, Match Associate Producer]

Twitter Handle: @JulieFoudy
Followers: * 5,856
Following: * 164
* Twitter numbers as of 7/12/11

FR: What convinced you to join Twitter?

Foudy: I felt I was a dying breed. Plus, I was convinced by many that it was a great source of breaking news, which I knew would be handy before and during Women’s World Cup.

FR: How easy was it for you to embrace the social networking site?

Foudy: Astonishingly, quite easy. I still get confused with the RT/hashtag stuff, but I find the whole idea of it fascinating. Quite brilliant.

FR:  What was your deal concerning 10,000 followers and currywurst?

Foudy: It’s a little bet, and even though I am halfway there, it is looking like I may have to eat currywurst everyday for rest of my life if I don’t get to 10K by end of World Cup. However, the USWNT’s win versus Brazil helps keep it a possibility (Thx ladies). There are worse things than eating currywurst everyday. As long as I don’t morph into a ‘brat, I am happy to be the lone American advocate for the underappreciated ‘brat, currywurst.

FR: Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and why?

Foudy:  Hmmm. Don’t have one yet. But I have yet to adventure out into the brave world of Lady Gaga, etc. Post-WWC I will try that (lie).

FR: What’s been your strangest encounter on Twitter?

Foudy: People actually responding to my questions. I can’t get my kids to do that….

FR: What is it like to be covering the Women’s World Cup on the soil of the U.S. WNT’s biggest rival?

From left to right: Kostas Karipidis (Match Associate Producer), Julie Foudy (Announcer), Matt Leach (Match Producer), Ian Darke (Announcer).

Foudy: Wonderful. Germany has truly embraced this World Cup. I was sad for the country when Germany lost in the quarters but ecstatic for Japan, given all that country has been through in the last four months.

FR: What’s it like to be reunited and working with several of your former 1999 teammates and close friends?

Foudy: A blast. I am going to talk to FIFA about organizing World Cup’s every two years, so we can have our reunions and gal time together. I’m sure they will be very receptive to that idea.

FR: How does this WWC compare to the others you’ve played in/covered?

Foudy: Atmosphere here is wonderful. The stadiums have been full, coverage in papers and on TV nonstop. But there is just nothing like a World Cup in your home country. The WC in 1999 was something special. I love that the U.S. win last night has stirred that same passion again. How can you not be overwhelmed with emotion at what our USWNT did versus Brazil? Simply incredible. I am so proud.

FR: There’s been a lot of controversy brewing prior and during to the WWC. What Women’s World Cup story interests you the most?

Foudy: I think the most interesting development has been the emergence of “new” teams to the women’s game. Japan and France make their first semifinal appearance and they both play some of the prettiest soccer we have seen this WWC.

FR: How does the ’99 moment compare to the U.S. team’s Cinderella story Sunday?

Foudy: The U.S. win over Brazil was just as exhilarating. The U.S. played over 55 minutes a player down, had a questionable Brazil missed penalty kick whistled and retaken, then converted. A missed offside call on Brazil’s second goal, and even with all of that, they fought on. Ahhh, love it. Now they just have to stay focused on the semi. Enjoy the Brazil win but take it one game at a time. France will be very good.

FR: What do this weekend’s surprising/devastating/uplifting/unpredictable results mean for the women’s game on a global level?

Foudy: It all means there is greater parity. And that’s a great sign for women’s soccer globally because it means more federations are investing in young girls. Japan, France are through to semi’s, but marked improvement in teams like England, Australia, and even Colombia (who didn’t have a great WC, but being their first, are making progress at youth level…. fourth place in U-20 WWC last summer).

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