By Sahara Clay // @SaharaClayMLSF
Hey everyone!
My name is Sahara Clay. I’m 21 years old and am currently a student at Brookhaven College, although I’ll transfer to University of Texas-Dallas in the fall for Cognitive Science. I’m Dallas born and raised, and I’m lucky enough to live in a city rich with soccer.
My love affair with the game began when I joined my first soccer team in fourth grade. I lived and breathed for soccer and every week all I could think of was getting to practice and playing a game that weekend. My favorite position was left midfield and, due to my ability to run for a whole game, I was bestowed the nickname “Dynamo.” At the time, I was too young to know that I would become an FC Dallas fan, and that the Dynamo would become my rival. I’m still looking for a new nickname.
I had the immense privilege of attending Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. However, that meant sacrificing a few things – namely, soccer. The sport eventually faded in my memory and became the last thing on my mind. That is, until my brother and sister joined the FC Dallas Beer Guardians. Last year, I attended my first game in the garden and suddenly remembered exactly why I fell in love with soccer in the first place: the skill, the teamwork, the strategy, and the community. I immediately joined a coed league, and I’ve since joined a second team. Now, soccer is the part of my week I most look forward to.
By now you know I’m an FC Dallas fan, but internationally, my favorite team is Iceland. I know what you’re thinking: Is she Icelandic? Why would someone love Iceland over Argentina or Mexico or Germany? The answer is: I’m not Icelandic, but they have heart. Iceland was an underdog in the World Cup, and they showed the world in their first ever WC match – against Argentina, nonetheless – exactly what they’re made of. I’ve recently discovered my own passion for playing defense and Iceland doesn’t just have a brick wall – they have a glacier. I’d love to see some of that ice brought to Dallas.
All in all, I can’t wait to see what my future with MLSFemale and this beautiful community holds in store!
Featured image: Sahara Clay
Follow and chat with me on Twitter // @SaharaClayMLSF
Check us out on Instagram @mlsfemale
