US Women's National Team star Cat Whitehill is not just an outstanding international defender, she is a prime study in contrasts. With her second Women's World Cup set to kick off on Tuesday, the evidence is plentiful.

A seasoned vet of 112 caps at the tender age of 25, she excels at a position generally reserved for those taller than 5'5". She is also a backliner that serves as an offensive threat on set pieces, but the most convincing example is her self-imposed slow train to considering herself a team leader.

Savvy enough to help the neophytes through pretty much anything on or off the field, Whitehill seems to prefer to wait a little longer before considering herself a genuine USWNT elder. Perhaps it's a charming bit of southern reticence, but more likely the reason lies in her belief that there is much more to learn.

"I would like to think that I am very comfortable as a leader, but I am still young and I still need to know my place," Whitehill told American Soccer Daily from China.

"Yes, I have experience, and yes, I have a World Cup and Olympics under my belt, but there are people like Kristine Lilly and Kate Markgraf who have played in multiple World Cups and Olympics, and I look to them a lot for leadership."

Maybe the fact that her first World Cup experience ended with a third place finish leads the former North Carolina Tar Heel to hold back on moving to the fore of the squad, but the disappointment of 2003 cannot be laid at her door. Whitehill entered as an injury replacement for Brandi Chastain at halftime the opener and ably played every minute of the tournament from that point on - she even bagged a pair of goals and an assist along the way.

Still, for a player who came into the National Team frame at the tail end of the HammFoudyLillyFawcettChastain reign, the standards for being recognized as a team beacon are quite high indeed. This is no "bachelor's degree" she is after - only a masters will do, hence the extended education. And for #4, the title's the thing.

"I like to think that I'm able to help mesh the youth of the team with veterans as I am a young player, but have played a lot of games," she explained. "It is very exciting to be on this team right now at my age and I just hope that my leadership ability, as well as my ability to take the lead of the veterans, will be apparent during the World Cup."

Of course, Lilly remains around for one more World Cup ride, and she lights the way for all of her teammates, no matter how experienced they may be. The forward does not only lead by example, she still manages to spark the team with her skills - which sets the tone for the backliners, as well.

"Just watching Lil play and knowing that she could have retired with the other legends is an inspiration in itself," says Whitehill. "But then to see her playing some of the best soccer in the world at age 36, and becoming an incredible leader along the way, makes all of us want to strive to be like her and play at our best no matter what age we may be."

Though Lilly the high-scoring evergreen is the most celebrated veteran on the team, it's only natural for a defender to keep some of her own as inspirations. And if center back Markgraf and right back Christie Rampone can't get due notice after 161 and 166 caps, respectively, Mrs. Whitehill's rap would probably brag that they are fo' real.

"I think it's clear that Kate and Christie are underrated, but isn't that the life of a defender?" she wisecracks.

"Both Kate and Christie have played a vital role in winning a World Cup or Olympics, but of course fans in the United States know the players who score the goals. But honestly, I don't think they wouldn't have it any other way."

"They are extremely professional in what they do, they love the game, and they love being moms and a soccer players," Whitehill says with a deep admiration. "They have an incredible perspective in life and on the game of soccer, and the press is missing out if they don't get to know these women and their stories. I know how much the team and I appreciate everything they do."

If Whitehill gets her way, the press will be appreciating United States world champions for the third time on September 30th at Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium. While stopping short of predicting a crown capture, she is clearly the member of a squad that thinks highly of their chances.

"Right now, we are confident going into this World Cup," she asserted. "We have been training two years straight together, so we know the ins and outs of everyone by now."

"I would be a little frightened if we would be going into this World Cup without confidence, but I also know that we have work to do and we won't overlook any opponent or let our undefeated record of the past two years make us become overconfident."

"It is very important that we all come in playing with confidence, but also playing with an edge - an edge of fury and passion that will hopefully take us to the top."

Fury? Passion? Sounds like a leader to me.