Rising sophomore competes internationally on U.S. National Soccer Team
June 21, 2023
Upper St. Clair High School rising sophomore Sierra Dupre is a three-sport athlete – competing in soccer, basketball and track. Although she’s a standout in all three, it’s her soccer skills that have created multiple opportunities to travel the country and the world.
Throughout the last year, Sierra was invited to participate in four U.S. National soccer training camps in Chula Vista, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Kansas City, Kan. Her performance at these camps earned her a spot on the final roster of the U15 U.S. National Soccer Team, which recently competed against teams in the Netherlands and Germany.
A midfielder, Sierra values these opportunities for personal growth.
“Competing nationally and internationally challenges me the most and helps me improve as a player, because everyone is so talented,” she said. “These opportunities have taught me to be more independent and responsible because of the travel. It has also helped me to continue to hold a high standard for myself as a player and a person.”
In the first match of the team’s European tour, the U.S. National Team blanked the Netherlands, 7-0, on June 11, 2023. In that matchup, Sierra had a goal and three assists. Two days later, the U.S. Team narrowly defeated Germany, 1-0, scoring in the final minutes of the game.
“The highlight of my trip was getting to see and play soccer in other countries. Also, getting to compete against their top players,” Sierra said. “I love getting to continue to grow as a person and a soccer player, while building relationships with all my teammates.”
In her freshman season with the Upper St. Clair High School varsity soccer team, Sierra earned Class 4A All-WPIAL and Section 2 All-Section honors. In addition to her high school varsity soccer team, Sierra trains and competes with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Academy.
In track, she was a member of the 400-relay team that finished second in the WPIAL championships. Individually, she finished seventh in the 300 hurdles at the WPIAL championships.
Despite any jet lag from her trip, Sierra remains focused on training for the upcoming soccer season and continuous improvement.
“My goal for this upcoming year is to continue to work hard and improve. As a sophomore, this coming year is very important to me because colleges can start talking to me in June,” she said. “I need to continue to really prove myself.”
For emerging soccer players, Sierra advises that they have fun, work hard and follow their dreams.
“My advice to younger kids would be that soccer is just a game and you should always have fun and continue to enjoy it,” she said. “I would also tell them to continue to work hard at soccer and on themselves. They should always follow their dreams on and off the field.”
In December 2022, Sierra competed on the 2008 U.S. Youth Futsal International team for the second year in a row. Futsal is a scaled down version of outdoor soccer played indoors. It is a 5 v 5 small-sided game played on a hard surface, basketball-sized court with a smaller, low bounce ball. Comprised of the top players from throughout the nation, the team traveled to Portugal.
Related Links
