On a phone call to promote a Coca-Cola sponsored soccer tournament, United States Women’s National Team striker Alex Morgan talked to For the Win about her experience at the London Olympics, being sidelined with an ankle injury, and gives some pointers to young Olympians heading to their first games in Sochi this winter.

On top of the usual platitudes about enjoying the Olympics once you get there, you’ve worked your whole life for this, etc. she had one piece of actual advice for first-time Olympians.

“You’re surrounded by the best athletes in the world,” she said about time in the Olympic Village. “…So meet people, have fun, and definitely close your windows the night before your event, because it gets loud.”

Morgan, who won gold in the London Olympics, is currently recovering from an ankle injury and will miss the USWNT’s three-day camp in Los Angeles, but she does plan on visiting the team for medical work and some weight-lifting. Also, she just wants to see her teammates and her friends.

“It’s difficult for me not to be part of the camp,” she said. “[But] I’m really looking forward to going in once a day, once every couple days to get treatment on my ankle and see my girls…maybe going to do a weight-lifting session with them, but I’m really not going to be around them as much as I’m used to.”

The closeness of the USWNT is an interesting by-product of the women’s game. For the American men’s national team, for example, the team gets together sporadically, usually spending much more time with their club teams than they ever do as a national unit. When they are together, it’s usually for a brief training camp or friendly match. The American women, on the other hand, are together constantly.

“I think that we’re in a unique situation. We’re together more than we are with our club teams,” she said, “We’re together a lot more time than, you know…even than I get to see my family, and so you’re bound to get close with your teammates, even the teammates you’re competing the same position for.”

Morgan’s had a busy offseason. On top of working to recover from her ankle injury, Morgan was engaged to MLS player Servando Carrasco in December.

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As for Morgan’s chances to visit Brazil during the 2014 World Cup, she has to wait and see her NWSL schedule (she plays striker for Portland Thorns FC), but she’s hoping to make a trip.

Morgan is also working with Coke this offseason in putting on their Copa Coca-Cola, a free soccer tournament where teenagers can sign up teams to compete in ten cities around the country. The national champion will then be invited to Brazil to compete against other teams during the World Cup.