WSOC: STOPPAGE TIME

Amanda Perez on playing for Team Mexico and with her sister // 6.13.19

By Washington Huskies

June 13^th, 2019

My first camp with full team really came out of nowhere. I was participating in a U20 camp and the full team’s camp happened to overlap with ours. During that week we trained on adjacent fields, and had a scrimmage with the full team. At the end of the week I was set to head back to UW as I had already missed two weeks of my first quarter at school (yikes).

However, when the U20 camp was about to end I was offered the opportunity to be a part of the full team’s roster that was heading to the Algarve Cup. I was super excited and proud to have earned my first call-up through that week's performances. I was lucky to have been able to make the transition from one camp immediately into another. It was definitely a bit intimidating, as the demand for quality and intensity was much higher, but everything outside the pitch was really smooth and easy (except for missing another few weeks of my first quarter). Thankfully, coaches, academic support staff and professors helped me to stay on top of school.

My first CAP was in the Algarve Cup. I was so nervous before going in. I went in as a sub and played like 15 minutes at defensive mid, while [my sister] Veronica was playing attacking mid. I specifically remember talking to her on the pitch and telling her where to go to block the passing channels and thinking, “Whoa, this is so cool!” It was a special moment for me because I had dreamed about doing that exact thing; playing for Mexico, bossing Vero around…But I think the coolest thing was how normal and fun it felt. We were just playing some soccer.

National anthem? Don't even get me started. I always get so emotional. It's pretty embarrassing. It’s just a moment where I reflect on how honored and proud I am to be representing my country. I know it’s special.

I learned a lot from playing and spending time with players who were much more experienced than me. I love the tactical side of the game, and at that level it’s extremely important to understand what and why you’re doing something. I tried to get others to learn and enjoy that element of the game with me when i came back, but it’s tough unless you experience it first hand.

Many of values and mindsets instilled in me during my time at UW have helped me with the Mexican National Team, and continue to help me with my experiences abroad. I try to exemplify many ideals I learned there: buy in. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. Sweep the sheds. Always remember: no one is bigger than the jersey. I actually think my last contract extension was more because of those values I possess than the skillset I bring to the field. The club I play for in Sweden, Vittsjö GIK, equates those values as impacting the entire club.