AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The curious email slid unannounced into Seble Demissie's inbox on her final weekend of innocence. She opened it on a Sunday morning in August 2014, with her soccer world still small and her daughter, Naomi Girma, still asleep. 'Dear Athlete,' it began. 'Congratulations! You are part of the initial group of players selected to the roster for the upcoming U.S. Soccer Under-14 Girls' National Team training camp.' Demissie read it, and read it again, perplexed.
They ultimately gained access via sacrifice and support. Teammates' parents arranged carpools; coaches flagged opportunities. Naomi learned of an Olympic Development Program tryout, made her regional team, and flickered onto U.S. Soccer's U-14 radar.
She also took to soccer once a week, on Saturday mornings. Her dad would organize the games. He called them Maleda Soccer, but really they were community gatherings. Ethiopian American kids would scurry about in oversize jerseys, divided into three groups: big, medium and little. Their parents, meanwhile, would barbecue and help one another navigate life in a foreign land. They, like millions of other immigrants, found various American institutions difficult to decipher.
She’s also grateful that she had a Crossfire coach, Bob Joyce, who knew the dates and times for ODP tryouts.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tom Brady jokes USWNT can do something he never could in pregame shoutoutThe seven-time Super Bowl champion gave the United States women’s national team a shoutout ahead of their opening match in the 2023 World Cup.
Read more »
Sophia Smith's historic debut leads USWNT past Vietnam in Women's World Cup openerSophia Smith tallied two goals and one assist as the USWNT defeated Vietnam in their 2023 Women’s World Cup opener.
Read more »
USWNT's Sophia Smith reflects on mental health after losing friend Katie MeyerSophia Smith and Katie Meyer were teammates and close friends at Stanford University.
Read more »
Sophia Smith stars as USWNT eases past Vietnam in its Women's World Cup opener | CNNThe US Women’s National Team (USWNT) kicked off their Women’s World Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Vietnam.
Read more »