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VANCOUVER — Growing up in a single-parent household, Sydney Leroux doesn’t hide how special the next two weeks are. Her soccer career is about to come full circle when the U.S. women’s national team begins the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament in Vancouver.

Leroux grew up in north Surrey with her mom Sandi.

Her endeavour into soccer began at age four in the same community — where she also played baseball — then perpetuated when she left home just 11 years later to pursue her dream of playing in the college ranks before moving to the professional circuit.

It has culminated with her selection to the U.S. national soccer team in its quest to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics in what Leroux still considers to be her hometown.

But the decision to leave home and her mom wasn’t easy.

Now that Leroux is back, it’s natural for some Canadian soccer fans to wonder why she isn’t donning the red and white. A duel citizen, and daughter of American Ray Chadwick, a former professional baseball pitcher, she has represented Canada before in international competition, including the U-19 World Cup team in 2004.

Leroux has another notable Canadian connection, having been formerly engaged to Langley-reared Major League Baseball player Brett Lawrie, who now stars for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Aspiring sports broadcaster, cheerleader, and model Blessed, and cherishing every moment