In March of 2024, the Seattle Reign signed 17-year-old Emeri Adames through the NWSL’s U18 entry mechanism. Emeri left her family and friends in Texas to join the Reign and continue her growth as a player. Coach Laura Harvey had invited Emeri to join the team during preseason, it was here that the staff and Emeri realized she would be signed. Emeri knew this was the right move for her, “oh this is where I’m supposed to be, it felt like home”.
Moving away from family is hard for almost everyone, and Emeri was no exception to this. Just like all her friends who were off to college, Emeri was about to start her own new adventure.
“At first I was like this is so exciting…it’s just starting to hit me…I miss my mom; I miss my parents…I feel like I would be feeling the same thing if I was going to college”.
The Reign became Emeri’s new home away from home. She spoke fondly of all her teammates, Especially Sofia Huerta.
“She really helps me a lot…I trust her opinion”.
Playing on this team meant Emeri got to work with some of the players she has been watching and looking up to for years. She talked about asking as many questions as possible, soaking up everything Jordyn Huitema and Ji So-Yun had to say.
Emeri’s first season has been eventful so far, she recalled playing in Portland as one of her most memorable moments this season. Playing against your rivals in their home stadium isn’t easy,
“The environment there and the atmosphere was crazy” she recounted.
The Reign have faced a lot of adversity in Emeri’s rookie season thus far.
Over the last few years many players and teams have emphasized the importance of mental health. Emeri shared that learning to separate soccer and her personal life has been important to having a balanced life. She shared her favorite way to de-stress.
“One thing that I’ve been getting into is crocheting, I like to put on a movie and crochet the stress away.”
The coaches and her fellow Reign teammates are looking out for her too.
“This team is the closest-knit team I’ve known said Meri . ” The team environment always encourages questions and thoughts to be talked about, without judgment.
The coaching staff didn’t take the decision to sign Emeri lightly either, noting how he appreciates “how careful they are about everything”.
Although leaving Texas for Seattle may seem like a hard decision for a 17-year-old to make, Emeri is confident she made the right choice. Emeri knew that going pro would improve her game and as she said, “push me even farther in my career”. Playing in a pro stadium in front of your fans can be intimidating but Emeri knows how to keep herself in the moment,
“Take two big deep breaths and think you’ve done this before, this is what you’ve done your whole life, it’s nothing new”.
Emeri is learning all she can from her new team, and when asked what she was looking forward to most she said, “I’m just really hoping to score…I feel like if I keep pushing keep practicing the time will come”. She was right and her moment did come against Washington Spirit on May 24th, when she scored a banger of a goal in the 95th minute.
There is no doubt that Emeri is a rising star, and we are witnessing the beginning of an incredible story. She has proven she is willing to take the steps to become her best as a player, on and off the field. Her time at the Seattle Reign will bring her game to the next level and watching her perform will certainly be a highlight of the fan experience at Lumen Field. Only time will tell what she will bring to the field next.
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