Soccer has always been my life. Growing up in a house with a father who played at a high level, and a mother who played tennis and was a dancer left me no choice but to be athletic.

As a kid I remember always being outside kicking a ball around. A year or so later, my dad was coaching my U6 team and while everyone else bunched up, I would just get the ball and take it to the net. I’ve always liked attacking the oppositions’ goal.

I was taught to play all positions, from keeper to striker, and have been fortunate to score from every position. I played on a tournament team when I was 9 and the keeper got hurt. The coach put me in goal, and I scored 2 goals from punts. The next season I was asked to guest pass up to a U13 team for a tournament and made the last pk to win the tournament. I guess that’s the day I knew I wanted soccer to be in my life for a long time. I’ve been fortunate to play against some of the best academies in the world from FC Dallas to FC Barcelona, and we beat both of those, and I bagged a few goals also.

I consider myself to be a hard worker and respect the game. I’ve been taught that when on the pitch to treat it like it could be the last time I ever get to play. I’ve never been given anything, and have had to fight for everything in this game. I’ve suffered through injuries that kept me from playing for 18 months, and endured an abusive coach in college, but I’m still here. They say when you’re in love, you stick it out through the good times and bad times, because tomorrow is a new day! Well I’m still in love with soccer!