Homegrown Surf SC Player Mia Fishel on Roster for 2018 Concacaf U-17 Women’s Championship
When the Red, White and Blue calls you to play, you soar with pride and rely upon your training when you represent the USA in international competition.
Head Coach Mark Carr’s has just released his roster for the upcoming 2018 Concacaf U-17 Women’s Championship to be held in Managua, Nicaragua from April 19-29.
Related Soccer News: ROSTER FOR 2018 CONCACAF WOMEN’S U17 CHAMPIONSHIP
Coach Carr named the roster after his 10-day training camp in Lakewood Ranch and said, “The decision of the final World Cup qualifying roster certainly was not easy. The credit goes to the players for how they have pushed each other to this point and made the final roster decisions very difficult.”
One of the players who made the final cut is Mia Fishel. Proud to be one of the few midfielders chosen to represent the USA, Fishel is a homegrown San Diego Surf SC player.
“Everyone at the club is so proud of Mia,” said Mark Spooner, Surf SC Director of the Girls DA. ‘She’s worked tremendously hard to get to where she has and I know she will continue to do so to get even further. She’s a very special player who can take over a game at any moment and she deserves this opportunity.’
‘We can’t wait to continue to support Mia in her development and continue to watch her grow,” said Spooner.
SoccerToday’s editor Diane Scavuzzo interviewed Mia Fishel to discover her reactions to being chosen:
Diane Scavuzzo: How does it feel to be selected for the roster?
Mia Fishel: I’m obviously very excited to be apart of this selected team that is going to be playing for the USA — and show other nations how great this country is.
Being selected is also rewarding because I’ve worked hard all year with the National team on this one goal — and not just this year, but since I was a young player, I have been working on my game to get to this very point.
Diane Scavuzzo: How do you believe you can contribute to the team?
Mia Fishel: When I get to Nicaragua, I am probably going to be in many roles, such as a starter, not starting, coming in off the bench, possibly captain, and maybe sitting the bench for a game.
I will not know yet until I am down there, and I am put in this situation, but I trust my staff and teammates that everything we do is in order to win this tournament — and, that this could lead to a chance of winning the World Cup.
All I know is that I’m willing to do anything for the team to win the tournament.
If my coach puts me in, I am going to give my best — and follow the gameplan that my coach gives us and execute it as best as possible. Or I am going to be the best supporter from the sidelines or off the field for my teammates.
Everyone wants the same goal. It is going to take 20 of us — plus staff — to win the tournament.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your mentor?
Mia Fishel: I don’t really have a mentor but my family has played a huge part in where I am today and my success in soccer.
My coaches have helped me reach where I am today and while some have had a bigger impact than others, I have definitely learned something from each.
Also, my teammates from Surf SC and the National team have pushed me in training and games to be better every time I step on the field.
I try to surround myself with people who want the same goal.
Diane Scavuzzo: How long have you been playing at Surf SC?
Mia Fishel: I have played for Surf for 5 years.
I’ve been gone a lot from San Diego due to training camps to get prepared for the U17 World Cup qualifiers, and Mark Spooner has played a big role in making sure I’m ready for camp every time. To stay on the National teams, I must work hard when I am outside of camp. Mark is a coach that always pushes me to do my best in training and games, and I couldn’t thank him enough for this — because I’ve grown as a player in-between camps. He has helped me all year to get where I am right now.
Diane Scavuzzo: When did you first start playing soccer?
Mia Fishel: I started playing soccer when I was 5 years old and my parents put me in rec soccer.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your favorite European soccer team?
Mia Fishel: My favorite soccer team is Chelsea FC from the EPL. Eden Hazard is my favorite player to watch.