13-year-old Naples soccer player earns Mexico youth national team tryout

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — As the World Cup brings soccer’s biggest stage into focus, a 13-year-old striker from Naples is chasing a national team dream of her own.

Janelle Almaraz, a Naples United U13 player, has been invited by the Mexican Football Federation to continue tryouts for a spot in its youth national team program. After tryouts in California and Texas, Almaraz is preparing for one more trial in Mexico next month.

“That was very scary,” Almaraz said. “It was very emotional. I was very proud of myself for how I overcame those emotions.”

Her coach, Eddie Fernandes, said Almaraz has been one of Naples United’s top players this season. He said she is the team’s leading goal scorer and one of three players selected to an All-Star team.

 “Soccer is part of her culture,” said Fernandes. “If you catch her off the field, she’s wearing a soccer jersey. She’s watching a game.”

Fernandes said the team competes in the Florida conference of the Development Player League and placed first in its conference over Orlando City. The team is also headed to nationals, where it will face other first-place teams from across the league.

For Almaraz, soccer has been part of life since she was about 5 years old. She said her father and other family members played the sport, and she grew up competing with boys and cousins.

“I’ve always been a competitive person, playing with boys and just growing up to be tough,” Almaraz said.

Her mother, Margarita Nieto, said the family was emotional when Almaraz first received the call to try out. She said the opportunity has required quick planning, flights, and sacrifices, but watching her daughter move through the process has been worth it.

“She was really excited, and she couldn’t believe it,” Nieto said. “I’m just so proud of her. It’s so surreal.”

Almaraz said representing Mexico would mean a lot because of her family roots. She said making the team would be a chance to make people proud and show who she is.

“I feel like I would prove a lot of people wrong in lots of ways and make people happy,” said Almaraz.

Almaraz’s next tryout is scheduled for July 4-11. She said she knows the competition will be strong, but she is confident in her preparation.

“I’m very happy to go,” Almaraz said. “Very excited. I’m just there to ball out.”

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