As soccer has become more popular around the world, it has taken the United States by storm. The USA women’s national team sparked even more attention from the public after their win over Brazil in the 2024 Olympics. Sophie Sheffield and Rachel Davis play goalkeeper and forward, respectively, for the Wayne State Wildcats.
Davis began her journey in soccer at an early age. She remembers walking down to the park and playing with her parents coaching her. She started playing in a youth soccer league and noticed that soccer was the sport for her. Later, she started talking with different club teams to learn more about what the process would be to get into more competitive soccer.
“If I wanted to play high school soccer I had to be in a club, rec wasn’t good enough because there wasn’t that competitiveness, so then I joined club and I loved it and just kept going from there”, said Davis.
Club soccer also gave Davis the opportunity to travel and see new places. She experienced Vagas, Arizona, and more.
Sheffield had a slightly different path in getting into soccer. When she was younger, she played all sorts of rec sports, and it was not until her seventh-grade year that she discovered her love for soccer.
“My best friend at my new school played soccer, her uncle was the high school coach, and her mom was the middle school coach, and they were like Sophie you have to play”, said Sheffield.
They all talked Sheffield into playing and she was unsure at first, but when she got put into goalkeeper, she realized she loved it.
Davis is originally from California and chose Wayne State College because of the small school, class size, and affordability. Especially as a student athlete, she wanted to have a good relationship with her professors. Being a small community and affordable were also big factors that played into Sheffield’s decision to commit to Wayne.
Seeing as soccer is growing worldwide, it has grown within the U.S. Sheffield particularly liked watching the USA Women’s National team in the Olympics. Davis grew up watching Lionel Messi and thinks of him as a role model.
“I read his book and did projects on him”, said Davis.
Davis also follows Sacramento Republic, which is her hometown team.
Soccer in general has become more and more popular in the U.S. and has particularly risen in women’s soccer.
“Especially for women’s sports, soccer has grown, and it was nice to bring home gold for our country because it gave us a lot of recognition”, said Sheffield.
From rec to club to college to professional, soccer has been a top growing sport in America. As more and more successful athletes like Davis and Sheffield continue to play, soccer could have the ability to surpass other sports in popularity.