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<\/p>\nMia Villalpando made one of the most important decisions of her young career when she stuck with Tigres UANL Femenil and continued on her path as a professional soccer player, setting aside the option to play at UCLA despite having accepted a full scholarship.<\/p>\n
Villalpando, 17, grew up in Bonita, Calif., and initially signed an Under-19 contract with Tigres that allowed her to retain her college eligibility. She trained in Mexico but committed to attend UCLA last fall. However, several factors tipped the scales against a move to Westwood, including the departure of Margueritte Aozasa, the Bruins coach who recruited her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe coach left for another job, and that had a big influence,\u201d Villalpando said. \u201cI talked to my agent and my family, and although it wasn\u2019t an easy decision, I felt that after playing the minutes I played at Tigres and competing with professionals, going to college soccer would be a step backward in my development.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said she had a conversation with Gof Boyoko, who took over as coach of UCLA, and explained that Aozasa\u2019s departure \u201cchanged a lot for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
His reaction gave her peace of mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe entire staff was very understanding and happy for me. They were sad that I wasn\u2019t joining them but they supported me completely and that helped me a lot to feel at peace with the decision,\u201d Villalpando said. <\/p>\n
Although education always has been a priority in her family and she was grateful for the opportunity at UCLA, the season of club soccer she played before joining Tigres made it clear to her that she needed a tougher environment. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn my last year with San Diego Surf, it wasn\u2019t as competitive anymore. Many players who were already committed to universities didn\u2019t attend practices, and I felt that in order to continue growing and preparing myself, I needed a better working environment,\u201d Villalpando said.<\/p>\n
Her impact on the Tigres roster was immediate and exceeded all expectations. She was part of the club\u2019s recent title run in the Liga MX Apertura tournament, the team defeating Am\u00e9rica in the final series in November.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just hoped to go, train against professional players and improve. I didn\u2019t expect the minutes I got or the affection I received. Being there changed many things for me,\u201d Villalpando said.<\/p>\n
While making her college decision, she sought the opinions of others who faced similar decisions, including a famous Tigres teammate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI talked to several players and most of them told me to go to college, even if it was just for a year,\u201d Villalpando said. \u201cBut when I talked to Mar\u00eda S\u00e1nchez, she told me that the opportunities young players have today didn\u2019t exist when she was in college, and that if she had had the option to go straight into professional soccer, she would have done so.\u201d<\/p>\n
That message reinforced her conviction.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearing that helped me a lot and gave me peace of mind to make this decision,\u201d Villalpando said.<\/p>\n
Her parents always expected their daughters to get college educations but understood Mia could take a different path to success.<\/p>\n
\u201cMia is different,\u201d her father, Daniel Villalpando, said. \u201cShe has something special and we believe she will be successful because she believes deeply in what she does.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite not having had a formal education, Daniel said he and his wife, Melody, built a solid life on hard work and effort, which allowed them to be open-minded about Mia\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mia Villalpando\u2019s family has supported her all along.<\/p>\n
(Villalpando family)<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife started at the bottom at Costco and today she is one step away from running her own store. I built my company from scratch. We have shown that there are different ways to get ahead, and Mia has that mindset,\u201d Daniel said.<\/p>\n
They are convinced soccer is not just a phase for Mia.<\/p>\n
\u201cMia wants to live and breathe soccer. She will always be connected to the sport, whether as a player, coach or manager. That\u2019s something she\u2019s very clear about,\u201d Melody said.<\/p>\n
This was an extraordinary year for Mia. With Tigres she won a title in front of more than 45,000 fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I stepped onto the field and saw all those people, I thought, \u2018This is real, I\u2019m playing in a final with a professional team.\u2019 It\u2019s a feeling that can\u2019t be compared to anything else,\u201d Villalpando recalled.<\/p>\n
She also played a leading role in helping the Mexican Under-17 team place third at the FIFA U17 Women\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven before we got to the tournament, we knew we were going to go far. We were convinced that we would come back with something, and coming back with third place showed that we made Mexico proud,\u201d Mia said.<\/p>\n
Melody says her daughter is much more than the soccer player you see on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s … strong-willed and a natural leader. She\u2019s not a follower. She\u2019s fun, cheerful and gets along with everyone. She\u2019s always been a leader, even as a child,\u201d Melody said.<\/p>\n
Daniel agreed and added that her leadership is reflected more in her actions than her words.<\/p>\n
![\"Mia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767484329_641_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Mia Villalpando\u2019s family has supported her all along.<\/p>\n
(Villalpando family)<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are leaders who talk and leaders who act. Mia is one of those who acts. She is extremely competitive and can\u2019t stand losing. She has a big heart but she is very firm with her values,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On social media you can find video of sessions of intense work by Villalpando. In one post one of her coaches explains how they ask her to rest, to \u201cslow down a little.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel acknowledged even he is surprised by how hard his daughter trains.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know where she gets so much passion from. She never complains, she never makes excuses. Everyone gets tired, but she keeps going. We have to tell her to rest,\u201d Daniel explained.<\/p>\n
That mindset, he says, reflects the work ethic she saw at home. <\/p>\n
Daniel and Melody faced adversity as they were starting their family, with Melody only 16 when she delivered their first daughter. Daniel had to drop out of school in 10th grade to start working and support his family, while Melody finished high school with his support. They knew they had to push to support their family.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife and I have always worked hard and made no excuses,\u201d Daniel said. \u201cI think Mia learned that without us even telling her.\u201d<\/p>\n