From Youth Dreams to Pro Soccer: Veronica Perez's Journey

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From CopaNation

Rising Through the Ranks: The Journey of a Soccer Professional

Beginning her soccer journey in the youth ranks of AYSO, the player quickly moved on to higher levels, starting with Peninsula during her early years in the Bay Area. By the age of 12, she was already competing with players significantly older, an experience she recalls as initially intimidating but ultimately invaluable for her development. Her dad's encouragement played a crucial role in pushing her past her fears, helping her to embrace the challenges of playing with more experienced athletes.

Her commitment to becoming a professional soccer player solidified around the ages of 12 or 13. This dedication led her to engage deeply in club soccer, where practice sessions ran three to four days a week. She supplemented team trainings with personal coaching, attending various camps and clinics, and importantly, by practicing on her own. Throughout this period, she gained significant insights from her coaches—who were former players themselves—enhancing her skills substantially by emulating their techniques.

The player attended the University of Washington, competing in the Pac-10 league, where her performances caught the eye of the Mexican women's national team scouts during a match against USC. Scoring two goals in that critical game, she did not know she was being watched by the Mexican team's assistant coach, who later expressed interest to her college coach about including her in the national team. This opportunity led to her playing for the national team for about seven to eight years.

Beyond her personal achievements, she reflected on the evolution of women's soccer over her career. The growth in visibility and support, fueled partly by social media and better broadcasting of games, marks a stark contrast to earlier days when resources were scarcer, and commitment levels had to be extraordinarily high. Her enthusiasm for the progress in women’s soccer was palpable, particularly highlighted by her joy for Club America’s recent championship victory in Liga MX Femenil, a team she passionately supports.