Every soccer player dreams of representing their country at least once. You can join the biggest club you want, but wearing your nation’s colors is a feeling only a few get to experience. For Sofia Huerta, it’s only natural that she would give everything to play for the USWNT. But what if we told you she did so at the cost of turning down all national call-ups from Mexico?

Yes, it’s true. Though Huerta was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, her parents are Puebla natives. So, the 32-year-old had the choice of either representing the Stars and Stripes or El Tri Femeni. But it would seem that her heart was only set on living the American Dream. 

“When Mexico kept inviting me into camps, I just respectfully declined and said, ‘I loved playing for Mexico, but my dream was to play for the US.’” Huerta said while speaking on the latest episode of The Women’s Game podcast. “People ask me, was that a difficult decision? It wasn’t. It was difficult in the sense that I did not know if I would ever get the opportunity to play for the U.S.,” added the former Chicago Stars defender.

Waiting around for the chance to represent the U.S. on the international stage was no less than a gamble. After all, she was turning down a guaranteed international career with Mexico to pursue an uncertain future with the USWNT. While Huerta admitted the risk of waiting for an opportunity that might never come, it was something she had to hedge her bets on. 

In fact, she ironically kicked off her international journey with El Tri after being called up for the U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2012. And to great success as Sofia Huerta bagged 3 goals in four appearances for Mexico. That also saw her get called up to the senior team, where she earned 5 caps. However, by the time she was about to get drafted in the NWSL, the right-back decided to switch allegiances. 

Talk about being undeterred. It seemed clear that Huerta was only interested in singing The Star-Spangled Banner while wearing the red, blue, and white colors. But who would have thought that her own people would doubt her ability to play for the US?

Steadfast conviction was all Sofia Huerta needed to fulfill her USWNT dream

While Sofia Huerta had faith in her decision, she surprisingly faced doubts from others, including those closest to her. Of course, the Lyon Féminin defender knew that making the U.S. team was never guaranteed for anyone, especially for her. But facing these blunt doubts from her own well wishers was the last thing she imagined. 

“Everybody around me, who I really cared about their opinions, weren’t necessarily saying [what I hoped for]. They were actually the opposite, saying, ‘You should just play for Mexico.’ I’m like, ‘What’s happening? Does no one believe in me?’”

It was indeed very hurtful to hear such from your loved ones. But deep down, Huerta knew what she was capable of, though there were bumps along the way. “I just had to really remind myself that I know what I’m able to do.” 

This self-intuition proved favorable as Huerta finally got her deserved national team call-up. It was back in September 2017, vs. New Zealand at Commerce City, Colo. And though it was her debut game, Huerta impressed as a substitute, even providing an assist for the third goal of the game scored by Alex Morgan. Although she didn’t manage any goals, she did end up bagging 4 assists with the USWNT in 32 appearances.

Huerta also helped the Americans qualify for both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics. While the defender wasn’t able to win any hardware herself, she did become the first player from Idaho to receive a cap for the USWNT.

Indeed, it has been quite a journey for Sofia Huerta on the international front. Through all the ups and downs, one thing is clear: she proved the doubters wrong and realized her American dream.