Pulled in every direction

McALLEN - There is a part of Amanda Ortegon that wants to spend more time at home. More time with her friends and more time playing for her McAllen Memorial Lady Mustangs. But her schedule, and maybe her talent, won't allow that.

Two weeks ago, Ortegon, a winger, officially was selected to play for Mexican under-17 national team as it tries to qualify for the World Cup to be held later this year in New Zealand. She also has played for traveling all-star teams that have taken her away from home and McAllen Memorial. But Ortegon - who has committed to play at the University of Alabama - understands, albeit somewhat sadly, that's part of the sacrifice she's chosen to make.

"I really wish I could (play with classmates) because, I mean, it's the best of both worlds. You're with your friends and then you get to play something you love," said Ortegon, who estimated she played in less than half of the Lady Mustangs' games last season. "It's fun. High school soccer is fun and competitive and everything."

Yet when asked if she regrets her choice to play, Ortegon thinks for a moment and sighs, "I kind of do." Valley soccer, as much as it has improved recently, wouldn't advance her game as much as traveling teams or playing for a national team trying to qualify for the first under-17 World Cup.

"I think there's a big difference and everything," Ortegon said, stressing she was trying to stay modest. "(High school soccer) is getting better, I think. Especially girls soccer.

"I don't like to give myself too much credit, but I would (impact Memorial) a lot, because, I don't want to sound conceited, but I know more about it because I've been through so many different things. I think I could contribute a lot."

And that, ultimately, is why Ortegon and her father, Jorge, have chosen to focus more away from high school soccer. But Jorge also said it is necessary to keep his daughter's enjoyment of the game intact, something that could possibly include playing for McAllen Memorial next spring.

"Right now, depending if Mexico qualifies for the World Cup, that's a decision she has to make. I know that she wants to, she definitely wants to," Jorge said. "She has mentioned that to me, the camaraderie, the rivalry between high school teams.

"It's a different game. All levels are different, and it's competitive. There's good soccer down here, but definitely it's something that depends on what's going on if she's on the state team or her club team or Mexico."

Keeping her "love of the game" intact at times has been a challenge. Understandably, there have been times when Amanda has felt burned out from the game, sick of the grind and in need of some inspiration. Last fall, Amanda lived in Austin to play with her club team, and this summer has been dedicated entirely to the national team, which she is eligible to play for because she has Mexican grandparents.

"If you look at the situation she's going through she gets tired, a little burned out. And then the colleges started calling, so that got her really back into it when she got the offers. And the one from Alabama, that turned everything around," Jorge said. "Then she committed her whole summer to this deal with Mexico, and she was kind of down about it. But she's starting, and now she's on the team. Now it's ignited again."

The Mexican team, which included players living in the United States and Mexico, doesn't have quite the same bond between teammates that high school soccer has. The team is made up of players from all over each country, people who share nothing in common except blood and soccer.

There also is no shared history between the players, no memories in common and sometimes not even language and culture. Yet Amanda, who admits she needs to improve her Spanish, said she's enjoying the learning experience despite the sacrifices she's made to be on the team.

"It's really fun and exciting. The Mexican girls, they speak English to us, and we try speaking Spanish to them. So we're kind of learning about different cultures, which is definitely helping me," Amanda said. "I get by. I just can't put big sentences together."

Other than that small blip, Jorge believes in his daughter and believes that everything she has gone through will help her.

"Of course it's about a college education. It's also about getting yourself in the highest position possible," Jorge said. "That's something you love to do."

Brian Sandalow covers high school soccer for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.