Jazmyn Guerrero lives and breathes the game of soccer, loving every moment of it along the way.
Along with her passion for the game has come a true dedication to being the best and it has paid off in big ways. Recently, the 14-year-old freshman at Franklin High School suited up for Mexico in the CONCACAF U15 Tournament in Tampa, Florida, where she helped the team to a third-place finish.
“It was truly an amazing experience to compete against top players from around the world,” Guerrero said. “It was a great test for me to see where I am in terms of my level of play. As the tournament progressed, I continued to gain confidence and for us to place third as a team was special. We worked hard at camp to get ready and it paid off.”
Guerrero has been affiliated with Team Mexico since earlier this year and it’s her experience of playing at a high level and at multiple positions of forward and midfield that have helped her. She even played some defender at the CONCACAF Tournament.
El Paso HS soccer All-City:Sydney Varela leads the 2022 El Paso Times All-City High School Girls Soccer Team
“I’ve always tried to be as versatile as possible and that’s certainly helped me through the years,” Guerrero said. “I know I can still get better moving forward and as I gain more international experience that will make me more well rounded.”
Guerrero has played for the El Paso-based Cosmos FC for several years and has also played for club teams in San Antonio and Dallas, competing in several national tournaments along the way which certainly helped her in receiving the opportunity with the Mexican National Team. She plans to play for the tradition-rich Franklin program. In Texas, high school soccer begins in January and ends in April.
“Jazmyn learned a great deal at the CONCACAF,” said Martin Guerrero, Jazmyn’s father who played competitive soccer for many years and is from El Paso. “She has a tremendous determination for the game and a passion to want to be the very best. She got to experience a high level tournament at the CONCACAF U15 and she will be better because of it.”
One of Guerrero’s goals is to play in the U17 World Cup for Mexico. After this year’s U17 World Cup, the next one is scheduled for 2024. The tournament is held in even-numbered years, which started in 2008.
After that, she hopes to play for a top flight collegiate team and eventually take a chance at playing professionally.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to improve, help each team I play for and accomplish all of my goals as a player,” Guerrero said.
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; [email protected]; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.