During the international break, one player stood out and raised their standing with head coach Robert Vilahamn and the rest of the Portland Thorns coaching staff. And that person was rookie centerback Carolyn Calzada.
"It's so cool when you have two weeks training with some of the players. And you find out that we have an extremely talented center back on the team with something extra the others doesn't have." Vilahamn said. "It's not like she's better than the other center backs, but she has different skills the other three doesn't have - that's her pace."
After two weeks of training alongside captain Sam Hiatt, Vilahamn wanted to be a brave coach and be one who gave opportunities for those on the outside.
"When we played these two weeks we were focusing her and Shi (Sam Hiatt) basically," Vilahamn said. "Two weeks in a row to play them in training. She showed me every training, every [practice] game. I want to give it a try, I want to be a brave coach, I want to make sure you can go from outside the roster and start a game."
One of the biggest surprises on Sunday came when the rookie defender was named a starter. On Saturday, the day before the Portland Thorns took on Angel City FC, Carolyn Calzada was told she'd be starting and making her professional soccer debut.
"It was super exciting," Calzada said. "I was told early on it was a possibility. But, then, to find out yesterday was kind of an adrenaline rush."
She would share the joyous news with her brother first, followed by the parents.
"I definitely called my brother first," Calzada said. "We're each other's biggest supporter. Of course my parents and they were so proud and excited."
Heading into a top four clash versus Angel City FC at BMO Stadium was a monumental task. It was even more difficult knowing she'd have to defend stars like Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Riley Tiernan, Kennedy Fuller, Gisele Thompson, and more.
With the backline holding strong and keeping the ACFC attackers at bay, the moment arrived for the rookie. In the 76th minute of a 0-0 match, Calzada rose up to win a header off a recycled corner kick, and assisted Pietra Tordin's opening goal.
"The assist? I just tried to get my head on the ball and then P (Pietra Tordin) did all the work and got into the back of the net. That was really exciting too."
NWSL
After an insurance goal put the match out of reach, Angel City were finally able to get on the board in the last minute of stoppage time. However, it was the Rose City that walked out of Los Angeles with a 2-1 victory.
For Calzada, her performance drew rave reviews and she was even rated the player of the match.
"I was so impressed by her, she was doing everything right," Vilahamn said. "Great character as well. I am so happy for her."
In her NWSL debut, Calzada not only stood out, she tallied her first ever goal contribution. It was also made better when she caught up with her family and friends afterwards.
"I'm so blessed to be here with such an amazing team and amazing people surrounding me and pushing me every day. It's just so exciting, and can't wait for what's to come."
"Just love leaning on my family for support in the good and bad times. It was fun to have that celebration."
