USA’s Mel Barcenas talks with FIFA about the joy she feels on the football pitch and the chance it gives her to display her personality.
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Barcenas had two goals and an assist in USA’s win over Korea Republic
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The San Diego Wave player scored the third fastest goal in U-17 Women’s World Cup history
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She spoke to FIFA about playing the game with personality
USA are through to the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™ and a big reason for that is Mel Barcenas. The forward was excellent for the Stars and Stripes in the group stage, tallying three goals, including a brace in the 5-0 win over Korea Republic that sealed their quarter-final spot.
Barcenas flourished against the Asian side, showing off her creativity and playmaking skills with her clever footwork and pinpoint passing and was richly rewarded with an assist to go along with her two goals.
For the San Diego Wave player, it is a pleasure to be able to showcase her personality through playing dynamic football.
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“It’s super fun to get to be yourself in whatever team you’re playing,” said Barcenas in an exclusive interview with FIFA. “Having the freedom here and being able to be myself technical-wise, getting to play with Jocelyn [Travers] out wide, she’s also really technical, it’s just super fun to be able to be myself within our playing style, and when you get goals it’s even better.”
Barcenas also made some history on the night when she scored just 30 seconds into the contest. Her left-footed strike into the top left corner of the Korea Republic net was the third-fastest goal in U-17 Women’s World Cup history.
“I saw space, I saw the keeper out a little bit, it was my left foot and I just shot the ball and it went in,” said Barcenas. “I wasn’t expecting it to go in, but if you don’t shoot, you don’t score.
“I think I scored from the halfway line right after the start of the game once when I was eight years old, but this is totally a different type of goal, and I’m super proud to get two goals tonight.”
USA coach Katie Schoepfer was full of praise for Barcenas following Tuesday evening’s affair, breaking out in a wide smile when describing what makes Barcenas such a special player.
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“She just sees the game so well,” said Schoepfer. “She’s so technical, so creative and she can do everything with both feet. She can strike a ball really well, she’s just super smart and a quick learner. If you throw a concept at her, she will get it right away.”
Barcenas will now get another chance to show her flicks and tricks in USA’s quarter-final clash on Saturday against Nigeria. Even though she says she doesn’t find the back of the net that much, she still loves the feeling of scoring goals, and nobody would bet against her doing it again in this tournament.
“Any time you get to score a goal, it’s amazing,” concluded Barcenas. “But to do it in a World Cup is an even better feeling. I don’t score many goals, but just finding ways to impact the game and helping my team in any way possible is great.”
