Starting Eleven and Ending the Streak

This season has been really incredible. Our team has grown not only in our skills but also how we work together in training and games. Last month I got my first opportunity to be in the starting eleven which I was really excited about. Back in Vancouver I always started, but again, things here are different and I still have to prove myself. So having the opportunity to finally start was great.

But this past couple of weeks, we faced our first real hit of adversity — a loss and then a tie in our last two matches.

For the first time this season, things didn’t feel automatic. The connectiong and confidence wasn’t flowing like it had. I didn’t play in either of those games and that almost made it even harder in a way, because I didn’t really feel connected to how I could contribute to getting us back on track. So I made the decision to just show up and train as hard as I could and get ready for my next moment on the field.

Winning this season week after week began to feel like the norm for us. When you’re on a good run, football feels lighter. Passes come off. Chances fall your way.

These last two games reminded me of a few things:

1. Talent Doesn’t Protect You From Hard Weeks
Form resets every weekend.

2. Standards Have to Be Internal
If you rely on wins to feel confident, you’re in trouble. Confidence has to come from preparation.

3. Teams Are Revealed in Tough Moments
It’s easy to celebrate together. It’s harder to stay connected after dropped points.

This is where our team culture matters.

The great thing about futebol, there’s always another game! Training this week has felt different — sharper, more intense, more honest. Sometimes you need a setback to wake up the edge.