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It was a potentially life-changing moment: 14-year-old Aliyah De La Rosa was posing for a soccer team photo when she received a phone call confirming her selection for the 2026 Mexican Olimpiadas Conade.
An invitation to this prestigious multi-sport tournament represents a significant achievement for any young player, but is particularly impressive coming from someone living in Hollister and playing with the small yet powerful San Juan Bautista Soccer Club.
“It’s huge,” Coach Ricardo Torres said. “It’s kind of like an internal Olympic tournament. They select Mexican-American players to go play against Mexican players and Mexican clubs. It’s one of the biggest events that Mexico hosts for youth.”
De La Rosa’s journey began with a grueling tryout process that required immense support from her family. Her father, Eddie De La Rosa, had been monitoring the national team selection process when he learned of the Olympic tryouts in Rancho Cucamonga.
“I kind of hesitated to take her there,” he said, “because of the distance. It was a Wednesday night, and she had school. I asked Ricardo, and he said, ‘It’s one of those things that if you don’t do it, you’ll regret it.’”
Eddie booked a flight that allowed Aliyah to try out for two hours before returning home the following morning in time for school.
When they arrived and were driving to the field, Aliyah had an attack of nerves. Feeling that “a girl like me could not do something great like that,” she asked Eddie to turn the car around and take her home. But once she got out to the tryouts, her instincts kicked in.
“I was super nervous,” she said, “and I was zoned out for the whole thing. When it was over, all I thought was, ‘I did my best.’”
Although there were three scheduled rounds of tryouts in various cities, the family could only afford the time and money to attend the first.
“The next one was in L.A.,” Eddie said, “and the following one was in San Diego. I told the organizers that, due to the distance, we were not going to be able to come back.”
She competed primarily against 15-year-olds, many of whom play in the Elite Club Nationals League, which serves as a feeder for college recruiting. Despite this, Aliyah, who Torres described as a naturally gifted player, stood out against the competition.
“She’s always first to the ball,” he said, “and she enjoys what she does. She’s not always the biggest or tallest player on the field, but man, she sure is always the most aggressive.”
For Eddie, it was a nerve-wracking experience watching his daughter compete against older players. And there was the added stress of knowing that Aliyah would only be able to attend one of the three tryouts.
However, he said, one was enough. He was told that the coaching staff at the tryouts had enough film and notes from her single appearance to make a decision. Aliyah had passed with flying colors.
“It was a big surprise,” Aliyah’s mother, Mariela Fernandez, said. “I don’t even think I have the right words to describe it. I had been worried about what the outcome might be and how she would take it.”
Saying she is still in shock from the experience, Aliyah credits her playing style for her success,
“I like going fast,” she said. “I like keeping the ball close and not passing it right away. I take my time and have patience.”
Aliyah and her family are focused on fundraising to support her trip to Puebla, Mexico, which begins on April 23. The following day, she will attend a training camp before the April 25 start of the five-day tournament at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla stadium.
“I think it’s going to be very competitive out there,” Aliyah said. “I know that in Mexico, soccer is a very popular sport, and it’s probably going to be aggressive. But to do something big like this for my family is a great opportunity.”
Eddie hopes his daughter’s story inspires other girls who may doubt their own potential.
“This goes to any girl,” he said, “that’s out there trying to do something they believe in. They should know that, for all of them, the sky’s the limit.”
And, of course, her very proud coach will be closely monitoring his player’s progress at the meet.
“It’s just very, very exciting to see a player like her get to where she’s going,” Torres said. “But I think for her what stands out is her humbleness. I think that will take her a long way.”
For more information about Alyah’s journey and the fundraising for her trip, visit the San Juan Bautista Soccer Club website.
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