Catalina Perez World Cup Diary Part V
BOGOTA, Colombia – University of Miami goalkeeper Catalina Perez was a member of Colombia’s team at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and wrote a multi-part diary to HurricaneSports.com during her experience in Canada.
Additionally, Perez provided pictures for a gallery that was updated throughout her time at the World Cup.
Thursday, in fifth and final part of her diary, Perez detailed her experience starting for Colombia against the United States in the nation’s first ever Women’s World Cup knockout round match . . .
For a long time I have been working hard to be the starting goalkeeper for the Colombian National Team. Since March to now, I feel that the coaching staff has considered me third, second and again third-string at different times. Many times it was difficult to know where I stood. In the group stage I was not put in. Although I would have loved to play, our two other goalkeepers were doing a great job. I had accepted I would have to be patient, yet ready for whenever the opportunity presented itself.
In our third game, versus England, we went down a goal and things got heated. In the final minutes of the game, our keeper came out hard and was awarded her second yellow card, making here ineligible to play the next game. I knew our other goalkeeper had already seen minutes in the World Cup and had that advantage over me, but I did not lose faith; this could be my shot. When I discovered our next opponent was the United States, I prayed that it would be my opportunity even more.
That night I could barely sleep, thinking about the opportunity, the dream I have had since I was little to play the United States. I knew I needed to play and carry myself well and confidently the next few days to show that I was ready to step up and play. The days passed slowly and the coaching staff did not say a word about who would be starting in goal.
The night before the big game, as we were arriving from our official training session in the stadium, the coach asked me how I was feeling. As I had practiced saying, I told him, “Great!” He smiled back at me and said, “Me too. You are starting tomorrow and we all believe in you.” My heart filled with gratitude and joy. I immediately when up to my room and called by parents that Sunday. I believe it is the best father’s day gift I have ever given my dad. He knows it was a huge dream, and he was so happy for me. I saw my dreams taking formation!
I continued to prepare myself mentally and physically to be ready to live to one of my greatest dreams, getting to start in a World Cup and playing the USA. Needless to say, my emotions were very strong. I was so happy and grateful for this opportunity. Now, I needed to be more focused and prepare to do my best for my country. I have a long pregame routine before games, so I started to go through that, expecting to be able to fall right to sleep after that.
I lay down, turned off the lights, and my head immediately went to game time. My heart started to beat fast and my emotions intensified. I just wanted to be out there now. At 2 a.m. I was still rolling around, trying to go to sleep. At that moment I thought to myself, “If this is me lying in my bed thinking about the game, I need a plan to make sure I can lower the intensity of my emotions when I step on the field.” My roommate, Lina Granados, also a Colombian- American, studying at Vanderbilt, was having the same problem. We talked about how fun it was to play soccer when we were little, how we would feel like we did not get tired, and how we just wanted to be out on the field with our teammates. Those thoughts soothed us and helped us fall asleep.
I asked God to help me feel like that Monday, to have the game be as great as I have dreamed it countless times in my head. The day passed quickly. I made some calls to ask for some last minute advice from my parents and coaches, including Coach Monroe, after which I felt more ready. Before I knew it, we were in the locker room preparing to warm up. The atmosphere in our locker room was great again. Everyone on the team was focused and believed we had what it takes to face the No.2-ranked team in the world and to go for the victory. This mutual feeling and trust in each other helped so much at such a crucial time. We sang, danced, prayed, and prepared together. The coach told me he knew I was going to have a big game, which meant so much to me.
When I took the field, I felt great! In my head, I told myself there was no place in the world, no other time I wanted to be than right here, right now, a common feeling a get when I am on a soccer field, but of course even more intense. I felt loose and on point. Warmup was a blast. As I ran to the locker room to change, I felt prepared. I put on the red jacket starters get to wear for the national anthem, which I of course always wanted to do, put holy water on all my gear, and stepped out with courage.
There are no words to describe what I felt in the tunnel and as we took the field for the national anthems, surrounded by such amazing players from both the United States and Colombia. I felt so fortunate to share this moment with my amazing family, friends and coaches in the stadium and via the TV, as I knew many would be watching and sending positive energy! At the same time, I felt my focus heighten; it was an amazing combination of feelings, which only increased as the anthems went on.
The U.S. anthem came on first, which I am of course very familiar with. It made me feel more comfortable out there because it made me feel like it was similar to a UM game. Then when the Colombian anthem came on, I wanted to sing it louder than ever! In the team huddle, we said, “Let’s do it for your country, for us and for all the people who are dying for this opportunity.” I could really relate, as I had been dying for it for a very long time. I remember seeing Colombia play the USA in the group stage four years ago, thinking I wanted to be on that field in four years’ time, and that I wanted to come up big for my country in that game. I felt the power behind setting goals and dreaming with your heart.
During the first half, I felt great! I was calm, yet alert. I lost the sense of time. I felt like I felt on the field as a little kid, just like my roommate and I had talked about. As expected, the U.S. came out hard. I was able to make some early saves, which increased my confidence. I could feel my team gaining momentum. It was all happening even better than I ever dreamed. I had always wished to save a big save, shot by Wambach, Morgan, or Rapinoe, among others, and to yell, “Vamos!” When that happened, I felt so alive!! Going into halftime, I felt good. I knew I needed to stay loose and even more focused for what was to come. I felt excited; we were in this game and we could make history in 45 minutes. My teammates felt the same way.
I came back to the field a bit early to make sure I was warm again. I thought, “It is something I have done for years, so why not now?” As the second half started, I felt ready. All of a sudden, I saw Morgan had broken past our defense and was coming at me one-on-one. I made a quick decision—stay big. I was ball-fixated. Everything happened quickly. I noticed the ball was out of the danger zone, but that Morgan was on the floor. I thought I was about to get a yellow card, but never a red. When the referee pulled out the red card, I was in disbelief, in shock. I did not even know what to do. I did not want to leave the field, my team, or the opportunity. As I ran off, my teammates and coaches consoled me, which I greatly appreciate. Although I wish that would have not happened so badly, I was confident in all of my teammates. When Wambach missed the PK, I was relieved. From there, I was escorted to a little room with a TV where I had to stay for the remainder of the game. I could not believe what was happening. Never in my wildest dreams had this ever happened. I had never even gotten a red card before. I felt so impotent.
The game did not end as we had hoped. We were all very upset we had to leave the field and the World Cup. This group is characterized for having big aspirations and a lot of fight. We felt we were not done leaving our mark and are building a path for women’s soccer in Colombia. In the locker room, the coaches were very supportive and told us that although we wanted more, we left Colombia’s name a lot higher than when we arrived in Canada, that we showed we are a capable team. We left there stronger than we got there as individuals and as a team.
I have not been able to sleep much since then. I still feel in game mode. When I close my eyes, my mind goes back to the anthem or the game and I feel like I can still hear the crowd. We traveled back to Colombia Wednesday. All in all, I was so grateful for this whole opportunity. I have enjoyed it so much. I have been pushed mentally, physically and emotionally. I will cherish the first half of my debut forever. I feel very motivated to train and compete hard for the upcoming seasons at UM and hopefully many international tournaments to come.
Thank you to the people who have followed me in this tournament and journey. Thank you for supporting my country and me. Thank you for watching and reading. Thank you to Coach Monroe, the entire UM soccer program, the athletic department, my teachers, Dr. Baraga, Dr. Feigenbaum, and the sports medicine team for believing in me and supporting me unconditionally. I cannot even express how much I appreciate it. I am grateful and proud to be a Miami Hurricane!
Go Canes!
