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Earning Her Spot: Mary Long’s Journey to the U.S. Youth National Team
9/2/2024 9:56:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.-- For many young athletes, the idea of playing for the United States National Team is something they can only dream of. For those who have the opportunity to do so, the journey is long and winding, filled with countless hours of training, games, and perhaps even a bit of luck.
For one young soccer standout on the Duke women's soccer team, the journey to play at the national level has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Having been called up to the U.S. Under-17 Women's Youth National Team in July, freshman Mary Long shares her experience and the thrill of representing her country on the global stage.
Long's journey to the national team wasn't a straightforward one. Unlike some of her teammates, who have been with the U.S. Soccer youth system since they were 15, her path was different. She was called up this past summer to train with the U-17 team, and she explained the process behind being scouted.
"There are different levels of scouts: national team scouts, local scouts, and then the top scouts who are actually our coaches. They'll come out to club games and various events. That's how I got noticed. I first got scouted at a camp in Kansas City, where I'm from. I was a training player there, so I wasn't officially part of the camp, but it was my first real exposure," Long recalls. "Since then, I've been to two more camps. I was in a camp in mid-July in Atlanta, where we played Brazil twice, and I just returned from a camp recently in Chula Vista, California."
Every athlete who has the opportunity to represent their country holds onto the memory of their call up. For Long, it was a moment of immense pride and joy, knowing that all her hard work had continued to pay off for the young athlete.
She recalled that as soon as she opened the email, she immediately called her family, who shared in her excitement about this pivotal moment in her soccer career.
However, it wasn't until she put on the USA jersey for the first time during the games against Brazil that the experience truly felt real and meaningful.
"I got to play as the number nine, which was amazing," said Long. "I also loved the jerseys. It was such a cool experience to be in the uniform, singing your own national anthem, and competing against other countries with that level of talent."
Apart from the jerseys, the highlight of her experience so far has been playing against Team Brazil in Atlanta. During this intense match, she stepped up and scored two goals in her second game—a performance that made a strong impression on both her and those who were watching.
But, this wasn't just about the thrill of scoring; it was a moment of validation and proof of her hard work and dedication. She describes this experience as one of her greatest soccer memories, not only because of the goals, but also because of the opportunity to compete against such a renowned team on a significant stage. It was a defining moment that boosted her confidence and solidified her belief in her abilities at the international level.
When asked what it's been like having the opportunity to play and train with the U.S. team on a global scale, Long smiled and explained just how much it has helped her grow as a player.
"I think as a player, given that the training environment is such a high level, it definitely has made me better," said Long. "It's been really cool to just dive even deeper into the tactics of how the U.S. plays, because obviously we try to emulate what the full women's team looks like."
Long continued to explain that training with the national team isn't just about playing the games; it's also an opportunity for personal growth and development as a player. It's a chance to learn from some of the best coaches in the sport and to work alongside teammates who are among the most talented and dedicated athletes in the country.
Alongside training with the U-17 team, Long explained that her time with the Kansas City Current, a professional team, has also been invaluable.
"Training with a professional team is arguably the best thing I had the opportunity to do for my development as a player," added Long. "The level is just so much higher than anything else and I was lucky enough to get exposed to that early, which helped me a lot coming into this environment at Duke."
Now back at college, Long balances her academic responsibilities with her soccer career. However, her time with the U-17 team isn't over yet; with the World Cup roster announcement just weeks away, she remains focused and hopeful that her name will make the final lineup.
Long's journey from Kansas City to the international stage is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the magic that happens when talent meets opportunity.
As she continues to grow and make her mark in the soccer world, one thing is certain: her story is only just beginning.
Catch Long and the rest of the Duke women's soccer team in action at home inside Koskinen Stadium as the Blue Devils host fifth-ranked North Carolina at 7 p.m.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
For one young soccer standout on the Duke women's soccer team, the journey to play at the national level has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Having been called up to the U.S. Under-17 Women's Youth National Team in July, freshman Mary Long shares her experience and the thrill of representing her country on the global stage.
Long's journey to the national team wasn't a straightforward one. Unlike some of her teammates, who have been with the U.S. Soccer youth system since they were 15, her path was different. She was called up this past summer to train with the U-17 team, and she explained the process behind being scouted.
"There are different levels of scouts: national team scouts, local scouts, and then the top scouts who are actually our coaches. They'll come out to club games and various events. That's how I got noticed. I first got scouted at a camp in Kansas City, where I'm from. I was a training player there, so I wasn't officially part of the camp, but it was my first real exposure," Long recalls. "Since then, I've been to two more camps. I was in a camp in mid-July in Atlanta, where we played Brazil twice, and I just returned from a camp recently in Chula Vista, California."
Every athlete who has the opportunity to represent their country holds onto the memory of their call up. For Long, it was a moment of immense pride and joy, knowing that all her hard work had continued to pay off for the young athlete.
She recalled that as soon as she opened the email, she immediately called her family, who shared in her excitement about this pivotal moment in her soccer career.
However, it wasn't until she put on the USA jersey for the first time during the games against Brazil that the experience truly felt real and meaningful.
"I got to play as the number nine, which was amazing," said Long. "I also loved the jerseys. It was such a cool experience to be in the uniform, singing your own national anthem, and competing against other countries with that level of talent."
Apart from the jerseys, the highlight of her experience so far has been playing against Team Brazil in Atlanta. During this intense match, she stepped up and scored two goals in her second game—a performance that made a strong impression on both her and those who were watching.
But, this wasn't just about the thrill of scoring; it was a moment of validation and proof of her hard work and dedication. She describes this experience as one of her greatest soccer memories, not only because of the goals, but also because of the opportunity to compete against such a renowned team on a significant stage. It was a defining moment that boosted her confidence and solidified her belief in her abilities at the international level.
When asked what it's been like having the opportunity to play and train with the U.S. team on a global scale, Long smiled and explained just how much it has helped her grow as a player.
"I think as a player, given that the training environment is such a high level, it definitely has made me better," said Long. "It's been really cool to just dive even deeper into the tactics of how the U.S. plays, because obviously we try to emulate what the full women's team looks like."
Long continued to explain that training with the national team isn't just about playing the games; it's also an opportunity for personal growth and development as a player. It's a chance to learn from some of the best coaches in the sport and to work alongside teammates who are among the most talented and dedicated athletes in the country.
Alongside training with the U-17 team, Long explained that her time with the Kansas City Current, a professional team, has also been invaluable.
"Training with a professional team is arguably the best thing I had the opportunity to do for my development as a player," added Long. "The level is just so much higher than anything else and I was lucky enough to get exposed to that early, which helped me a lot coming into this environment at Duke."
Now back at college, Long balances her academic responsibilities with her soccer career. However, her time with the U-17 team isn't over yet; with the World Cup roster announcement just weeks away, she remains focused and hopeful that her name will make the final lineup.
Long's journey from Kansas City to the international stage is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the magic that happens when talent meets opportunity.
As she continues to grow and make her mark in the soccer world, one thing is certain: her story is only just beginning.
Catch Long and the rest of the Duke women's soccer team in action at home inside Koskinen Stadium as the Blue Devils host fifth-ranked North Carolina at 7 p.m.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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