Spending time with the national team was one of the best moments in my career so far, as it meant I could attend and compete in a World Cup, traveling to Dubai and UAE. My entire national team career continued with the u20 team. I was shortlisted for the u23 team but did not play with them.
After two years in Vancouver, I was offered my first contract to play professionally, with their second Team WFC2. I was on a pro contract for three years and played two seasons. After my contract ended, the team dissolved, only keeping their first team in the MLS, along with their youth program.
I thought I would be able to find a new team with ease, considering my background and experiences. Although it was not coming to fruition. I would go on to try out for multiple teams, not making any of them.
I was allowed to play for a team in the now Canadian Premier League (CPL), Cavalry FC out in Calgary. But there was a catch. The team was not going to exist until the following year, its inaugural season. So I was playing and training with others that wanted to play for the team next year as well. After the year had ended, the team did not want to continue with me anymore.
The last opportunity I had left was an open tryout for a new pro team in Tucson, Arizona. But I didn’t make it. It was then that I decided not to continue to move on with soccer. It was the end of the road. I remember sitting in the hot tub of the hotel I was staying at, not being able to hold myself up, body weak, tears coming from my eyes.
I had hit rock bottom with soccer.
I had to make a tough but necessary decision that resulted in me going to university and moving on from soccer. I had a few options but ended up at UBC in Vancouver. As chance would have it, I was able to receive a scholarship to play with the men's soccer team at UBC.
Before I went to school, I landed with the local team, TSS Rovers, in Vancouver to help prepare myself for the school season. And I acknowledge them for giving me the spark and love I once had for the game.
I played one year with the team, winning our league and grabbing a few solo accolades. We went on to compete at the national championships for school. That is where my professional career caught some traction again. My now co-head coach, James Merriman, saw something in me at the Championships and wanted to allow me to play professionally again.