Get To Know: Amanda Perez
August 17, 2017 | Women's Soccer
Amanda Perez has been around the Husky program for a while now. Perez followed her older sister, Volunteer Assistant Coach Veronica Perez, to Washington after a distinguished high school career. Not only that, she has played in three World Cups already for Mexico, making the quarterfinal in 2012 as part of the U-20 team. Perez was also a part of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and the U-17 World Cup in 2009. After an injury ended her 2016 season, Perez is back for one more go-around with the Huskies, looking to build on a career that has already seen her start 45 games and score 6 goals from the midfield.
What does it feel like to play at Husky Soccer Stadium?
Perez: Playing at Husky Soccer Stadium always feels like a privilege. It's a mixture of excitement, nerves, and pressure because you're playing at home, in front of your home fans, and Dawgs win at home! There's nothing like playing good soccer, coming out with a W, and hearing our victory song.
What is something the coaching staff has taught you off the field?
Perez: Something Lesle and Amy have really instilled in me is that it's cool to be smart. Being good at school, trying hard, and challenging yourself in the classroom is something we should always try to do. Excuses & complacency in the classroom can affect other aspects of your life. So try hard, challenge yourself & learn whatever you can.
What is it like to play in the PAC-12 Conference?
Perez: It's competitive and challenging week in and week out. Every team poses a different challenge and being able to play and compete at a high level consistently is what makes this conference so much fun to play in.
What is your favorite thing about living in Seattle?
Perez: My favorite thing about living in Seattle has to be the soccer community. From UW to the Reign to Sounders FC, you have a city that supports every level and category of the game. It's amazing to be in one of the few cities in the country that does that.
What are your favorite things to do in the summer in Seattle?
Perez: Summers in Seattle are a blast. I love doing something active like playing soccer or basketball with friends. After that I typically just like going to coffee shops and hanging out around the lakes with a good iced coffee and a book.
What are some of your earliest memories of playing soccer?
Perez: Most of my earliest memories playing soccer involve me kicking the ball around during my oldest sister's practices and games. I was always the little sister trying to learn how to pass and trap the ball well enough to the point where her and her friends would let me in.
Who is your biggest inspiration(s) in why you play soccer?
Perez: Veronica Perez. I was lucky enough to grow up in the same house as my role model. I got to see firsthand what it took to become a two-time World Cup player. Her every day determination, discipline, and love of the game influenced me and pushed me. I loved watching her accomplish her dreams and was constantly motivated and convinced that I could do the same.
Who were your favorite players growing up?
Perez: Carrine, Gary, and Simon Ireland were my favorite players growing up. They were my club coaches and former professionals and I looked up to them and trained with the goal to one day play at their level.
What do you think it means to be a game changer or have a game changing moment?
Perez: Being a game changer means "getting the job done". They don't have to be the best, most popular, but they are the people who get the job done, the ones that your team counts on.
What do you love most about playing soccer?
Perez: I really love everything about the game. But if I have to choose something I guess it would be the feeling of success and accomplishment when you connect and combine with your teammates. I love the feeling when everyone is working and talking together and a bunch of parts feel like one. Whether this is combining or defending together, every player knows and strives for this feeling.
What does it feel like to play at Husky Soccer Stadium?
Perez: Playing at Husky Soccer Stadium always feels like a privilege. It's a mixture of excitement, nerves, and pressure because you're playing at home, in front of your home fans, and Dawgs win at home! There's nothing like playing good soccer, coming out with a W, and hearing our victory song.
What is something the coaching staff has taught you off the field?
Perez: Something Lesle and Amy have really instilled in me is that it's cool to be smart. Being good at school, trying hard, and challenging yourself in the classroom is something we should always try to do. Excuses & complacency in the classroom can affect other aspects of your life. So try hard, challenge yourself & learn whatever you can.
What is it like to play in the PAC-12 Conference?
Perez: It's competitive and challenging week in and week out. Every team poses a different challenge and being able to play and compete at a high level consistently is what makes this conference so much fun to play in.
What is your favorite thing about living in Seattle?
Perez: My favorite thing about living in Seattle has to be the soccer community. From UW to the Reign to Sounders FC, you have a city that supports every level and category of the game. It's amazing to be in one of the few cities in the country that does that.
What are your favorite things to do in the summer in Seattle?
Perez: Summers in Seattle are a blast. I love doing something active like playing soccer or basketball with friends. After that I typically just like going to coffee shops and hanging out around the lakes with a good iced coffee and a book.
What are some of your earliest memories of playing soccer?
Perez: Most of my earliest memories playing soccer involve me kicking the ball around during my oldest sister's practices and games. I was always the little sister trying to learn how to pass and trap the ball well enough to the point where her and her friends would let me in.
Who is your biggest inspiration(s) in why you play soccer?
Perez: Veronica Perez. I was lucky enough to grow up in the same house as my role model. I got to see firsthand what it took to become a two-time World Cup player. Her every day determination, discipline, and love of the game influenced me and pushed me. I loved watching her accomplish her dreams and was constantly motivated and convinced that I could do the same.
Who were your favorite players growing up?
Perez: Carrine, Gary, and Simon Ireland were my favorite players growing up. They were my club coaches and former professionals and I looked up to them and trained with the goal to one day play at their level.
What do you think it means to be a game changer or have a game changing moment?
Perez: Being a game changer means "getting the job done". They don't have to be the best, most popular, but they are the people who get the job done, the ones that your team counts on.
What do you love most about playing soccer?
Perez: I really love everything about the game. But if I have to choose something I guess it would be the feeling of success and accomplishment when you connect and combine with your teammates. I love the feeling when everyone is working and talking together and a bunch of parts feel like one. Whether this is combining or defending together, every player knows and strives for this feeling.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's SoccerWashington 1, No. 4 UCLA 0 | Huskies Highlights
Sunday, October 05
Jadyn makes a house call from long distance 🚀
Sunday, October 05
Washington 3, Purdue 1 | Huskies Highlights
Sunday, September 28
Kelsey Branson and bullet headers go together like PB & J 🤩
Sunday, September 28
