Kadeisha Buchanan: From humble upbringing to soccer celebrity

It's been an amazing journey for Kadeisha Buchanan.

She first kicked a soccer ball in Brampton, Ont., when she was eight and quickly fell in love with the game. Little did she know back then, while growing up as the youngest of seven daughters to a single mother, that she would go on to be an NCAA star at the University of West Virginia, play for one of the biggest pro clubs in Europe, and become a mainstay with Canada's national team.

With over 100 caps, four Champions League titles, and an Olympic bronze medal, Buchanan, 25, is one of the most successful Canadian internationals, male or female. But there's one thing missing: A gold medal. She hopes to add that to her long list of credits at this summer's Tokyo Olympics.

In an exclusive interview with TFC Republic, Buchanan discusses her rise up the ranks with the Canadian women's team, how playing for Olympique Lyon in France has helped her development, her upbringing and how it shaped her into the woman she is today, and much more.

This Q&A has been lightly edited and trimmed for brevity and clarity.