Ever since she started playing at the age of 10, Amber Allen has always made forward progress in soccer. Used as a sweeper in her first year with the Pit Meadows Metro team, Allen was soon moved up to striker. "My coach decided I would be better up front, since I often left the defensive line to attack the other team's net, ending up next to the forwards on my team," she said.
Nearly 20 years later, Allen is still attacking the opposition's net, now a top scorer for both the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada’s national women's team. There were many stops on the road to the national team for the Pitt Meadows native. Along with playing Metro, Allen also suited up for Pitt Meadows Senior Secondary and the provincial U16 Team before heading off to McGill University where she became a two-time Canadian university scoring champion.
"I have fond memories of playing with my high school team. Travelling and staying in hotels with friends. Loading up the mini vans and playing in front of the high school crowd."
Following graduation from McGill, Allen returned to BC and joined the Whitecaps, setting a then-team record of four goals in one game in her 2001 rookie season. Her best soccer memories, however, didn't come from playing in games. "I would drag my dad out to the field every day after he arrived home from work. We worked on passing, trapping the ball and shooting for hours. When he would come home late I would go over to the Highland Park Elementary on my own kick the ball against the gym wall. I never tired of playing soccer, and was excited all week for my next Sunday game."
Looking back, she credits her early coaches with instilling a love of the game. "Ann Steen introduced me to the game of soccer. She was my very first coach. Mr. Stoney, Mr. Humphries and Sherry Forest all contributed to my development and confidence. My dad was also a big influence in my life and playing soccer together was a special time for me. My mom continues to be my biggest fan."