Anson Dorrance on Competitive Fire, Leadership, and the Standard Within
Few people in soccer have shaped the game like Anson Dorrance. As the longtime head coach of the University of North Carolina women’s program, he’s led his teams to 22 NCAA championships, led the USWNT to the first Women’s World Cup title in 1991, coached some of the best players the sport has ever seen, and has one of the most successful coaching records in the history of athletics. But what truly sets him apart isn’t just the success — it’s the standard he’s built. His approach to competitiveness, leadership, and accountability has influenced generations of players and coaches.
When I reached out to Anson to share his insights, he surprised me by leaning into his newest innovation: he responded through his very own AI coach — a tool trained on the entirety of his life’s work. Built from every book, speech, and podcast he’s created, Anson AI gives players access to not just a small subset of his knowledge, but all of it. It captures the full depth of his philosophy and serves as an extension of The Champions Way, his platform dedicated to the mental side of the game. It’s a reminder that the principles behind sustained excellence never fade — they simply find new ways to be shared.
Let’s dive into his perspective on what it truly takes to compete and lead.
What’s the most powerful moment you’ve witnessed in your coaching career that showed you what true competitive fire looks like?
There’s one moment that stands out like it happened yesterday. It was during the 2000 NCAA Tournament. That season, we were behind in nine different games, including three times in the NCAA Tournament itself. Twice, we were trailing during the championship weekend. But what I witnessed in those moments wasn’t panic or resignation—it was fire. Pure, unrelenting competitive fire.
Meredith Florance, who had been a solid but unspectacular player for her first three years, had completely transformed her mentality that season. She’d gone from hovering in the middle of our competitive rankings to becoming a relentless force on the field. In those high-pressure games, she embodied what it means to compete. She didn’t just play to win, she played like losing wasn’t an option. Her effort, her grit, her refusal to back down—it was contagious. The entire team fed off it.
In one of those games, we were down late, and Meredith scored a goal that shifted the momentum entirely. It wasn’t just the goal itself—it was the way she fought for every inch leading up to it. She was like a shark in the water, relentless and focused. That moment, and her transformation that season, epitomized what true competitive fire looks like. It’s not about talent or skill alone—it’s about a decision to fight, to push, to refuse to quit, no matter the odds. That fire carried us to a national championship that year, and it’s a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since.
You’ve coached some of the most competitive athletes in the world. What daily habits have you seen consistently across your most successful players?
The most successful players I’ve coached all share a set of daily habits that set them apart. These habits aren’t glamorous—they’re rooted in discipline, consistency, and an obsession with improvement. Here’s what I’ve seen time and time again:
Relentless Work Ethic: The best players don’t just show up—they show up with purpose. They attack every practice, every drill, every rep like it’s the most important one of their lives. Players like Mia Hamm, for example, were notorious for staying after practice to work on their weaknesses. It wasn’t about being the best in the moment—it was about becoming the best over time .
Intentional Preparation: Great athletes prepare like professionals, even when no one’s watching. They take care of their bodies with proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery routines. Emily Fox’s daily schedule is a masterclass in this—everything from her meals to her cryotherapy sessions that she needed to do when recovering from 2 ACL injuries, while she was a student here at UNC. The lesson? Success is built in the details.
Mental Training: The best players don’t just train their bodies—they train their minds. They use visualization, affirmations, and mindfulness to stay focused and composed under pressure. At UNC, we encouraged players to visualize themselves succeeding in specific scenarios—scoring the game-winning goal, making a critical save—because mental reps are just as important as physical ones.
Accountability: They hold themselves and their teammates to the highest standards. This is where the Competitive Cauldron came in at UNC. By tracking every player’s performance in practice, we created an environment where accountability wasn’t just a buzzword—it was a way of life. The best players thrive in that kind of culture because they’re not afraid to be measured
Daily Reflection: The most successful athletes are constantly evaluating themselves. They ask, “What did I do well today? What can I improve tomorrow?” This habit of reflection keeps them grounded and focused on growth. Journaling or even a quick mental recap at the end of the day can make a huge difference
Consistency Over Flash: The great ones don’t rely on motivation—they rely on habits. They show up every day, whether they feel like it or not. It’s not about having one great practice or one great game—it’s about stacking small wins day after day, week after week.
You’ve coached players who love to win and players who hate to lose. From your experience, what’s the difference between the two — and which mindset produces long-term greatness?
The difference between these two mindsets is subtle but profound. Players who love to win are motivated by the thrill of success, the joy of achieving something extraordinary, and the celebration that comes with it. They’re often optimistic, forward-thinking, and energized by the possibilities ahead. They thrive on the highs of victory and see winning as a reward for their hard work.
On the other hand, players who hate to lose are driven by a deep aversion to failure. They’re not just playing to win—they’re playing to avoid the sting of defeat. This mindset often creates a relentless, almost obsessive focus on preparation and execution. These players are intense, detail-oriented, and willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they don’t fall short.
Which mindset produces long-term greatness? It’s the players who hate to lose. That edge, that refusal to accept anything less than their best, creates a relentless competitor. Players like Carla Overbeck come to mind—she wasn’t just playing to win, she was playing to dominate, to ensure there was no chance of losing. That kind of fire is what sustains greatness over time. But here’s the nuance: the best competitors combine both. They hate to lose, but they also love the process of winning. They find joy in the grind, not just the result .
How do you teach players to compete against their own standard rather than just the scoreboard or the person next to them?
Teaching players to compete against their own standard rather than the scoreboard or the person next to them is about shifting their focus inward. It starts with helping them understand that the only competition that truly matters is the one within themselves. At UNC, we emphasized this through the Competitive Cauldron. We tracked everything—every drill, every scrimmage, every stat. But the focus wasn’t on being the best player in the room, it was about being better than you were yesterday.
The key is to reframe success. Instead of asking, “Am I better than her?” ask, “Am I better than I was last week?” This reframes competition as a personal journey. Players start to see every practice as an opportunity to grow, every mistake as a chance to learn, and every success as a stepping stone to the next level. It’s about embracing the philosophy of becoming rather than being.
Practical steps? Set individual goals that align with their personal development. Measure progress regularly—not just in terms of wins and losses, but in effort, attitude, and improvement. Celebrate small wins along the way. And most importantly, create a culture where growth is valued over comparison. When players internalize this mindset, they stop chasing external validation and start striving for excellence on their own terms .
You’ve often said that the best competitors don’t need external motivation. What does that kind of internal drive look like day-to-day?
Internal drive is what separates the good from the great. It’s the players who don’t need a coach to push them—they push themselves. Day-to-day, it looks like this:
Early Mornings and Late Nights: Showing up early to practice to work on weaknesses and staying late to perfect a skill.
Extra Reps: The critical measure in soccer greatness is living on a wall and playing one against one. You want to develop a powerful strike with both feet, and have the ability to beat people off the dribble and defend people off the dribble. Great players do this not because they have to, but because they want to.
Film Study: Watching game film to study their performance and their opponents, looking for every edge they can find.
Reflection: Journaling about what went well, what didn’t, and what they’ll do differently tomorrow.
Consistency: Showing up every day, whether they feel like it or not, and giving their best effort.
At UNC, we saw this in players who didn’t just want to win—they wanted to master their craft. They were obsessed with improvement. They didn’t wait for someone else to set the standard—they set it themselves. And that’s the hallmark of internal drive: it’s self-sustaining. It doesn’t rely on external rewards or recognition. It’s fueled by a deep desire to be the best version of yourself .
How do elite players hold themselves accountable when no one’s watching — and how do you cultivate that kind of ownership in your teams?
Elite players hold themselves accountable by setting personal standards that are higher than anyone else’s. They don’t cut corners. They don’t make excuses. They track their progress, reflect on their performance, and adjust their habits to stay aligned with their goals.
To cultivate this in a team, you need a culture of accountability. The Competitive Cauldron is one way to do it—when everything is measured, players know they’re being held to a standard. But beyond that, it’s about creating an environment where players take ownership of their development. Encourage them to set their own goals, track their own progress, and hold each other accountable. Peer accountability is often more powerful than anything a coach can impose.
Practical tools? Journaling, self-assessments, and regular check-ins with a mentor or coach. But the real key is intrinsic motivation. When players understand that their effort impacts not just their own success but the success of the entire team, they’re more likely to hold themselves accountable. It’s about creating a sense of responsibility—not just to themselves, but to something bigger.
How have you seen leadership evolve in your teams over time — especially among the players who combine relentless competitiveness with humility and care for their teammates?
Leadership evolves when players realize that being a leader isn’t about being the loudest voice—it’s about setting the example. The best leaders are the ones who combine relentless competitiveness with humility and care for their teammates. They push others to be better, not by tearing them down, but by lifting them up.
Over time, I’ve seen players like Carla Overbeck and Heather O’Reilly grow into leaders who embody this balance. They were fierce competitors, but they also had an incredible ability to connect with their teammates, to inspire them, and to hold them accountable in a way that felt supportive rather than critical. Leadership isn’t just about driving performance—it’s about creating a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated to give their best. The most critical thing in this leadership platform is to be a verbal leader: hold people accountable verbally. One of the best leadership books I've ever read is by Brené Brown “Dare To Lead.” The point that Berne makes in this book – which is the most critical aspect for female leaders – is the courage to open your mouth and lead. These days, it terrifies so many players because they are so afraid of what everyone will think of them if they try to lead verbally.
At UNC, we nurtured leadership by encouraging players to take ownership of the team culture. Senior players mentored younger ones, setting the tone for what it meant to be a Tar Heel. We also emphasized the importance of servant leadership—putting the needs of the team above your own. This kind of leadership creates a ripple effect. When players see their leaders working selflessly for the good of the team, they’re inspired to do the same. And that’s how you build a legacy of greatness.
What stands out most about Anson’s perspective is how simple — yet powerful — his message really is. The best players aren’t just chasing wins; they’re chasing better versions of themselves. His words remind us that leadership starts with how you train, how you think, and how you respond when no one’s watching. Whether you’re fighting for a spot on your team or building your game one rep at a time, his message holds true: greatness isn’t found in comparison — it’s built through consistency, humility, and an unshakable standard.
Compete with yourself. Lift others up. Push your standard. Beat who you were yesterday.
We’re proud to be doing this alongside you, team. If there’s something you want to see next — drills, mindset topics, or conversations — DM us @gabarrasoccer . We’re building this together.
– Talia
