Maria Sanchez is in Mexico City training with Mexico’s Women’s National Team as they prepare for the 2015 World Cup.

Mexico’s opening match against Colombia is 17 days away in New Brunswick, Canada. It’s a game Sanchez may have fantasized playing while growing up in American Falls, but even she’s admitted it’s always felt like a goal that’s a long shot.

But she made it and before leaving to train with her new teammates, Sanchez sat down with the local media for an interview to talk about her improbable rise in the soccer community.

How have you grown through this experience?

Maria Sanchez: “It’s been a lot of hard work. But just knowing that I’m one of the best in Mexico now since I’ve been called to play in the World Cup, it’s just, I don’t know. I still don’t believe it that I’m competing at that level now.”

Are you scared?

Sanchez: “Oh, yeah, I’m really nervous. Because I know even though I shouldn’t be and I should just play like myself and all that, it’s always hard to know that now that it’s at a national level. It’s really hard.”

Even though you never played on club teams during the summer, how did you improve your game growing up?

Sanchez: “My older brother, I would always play with him. He would always play with friends. He is 6 years older than me. And for me to be able to play with them, I had to be at their level. It was just motivating to me because I wanted to play. I wanted them to pass me the ball. ... That was always my standard, to be able to compete with them.”

Reaction from folks in American Falls?

Sanchez: “Most of them are really proud of me since they know that’s what I was always doing. Instead of going around and doing different things, I was always playing soccer. They knew how much I wanted it and they knew how much I worked for it. So they’re just really proud of me. That’s a big accomplishment to know that I’m making everybody here happy.”

What kind of message do you think your story sends to kids in smaller towns?

Sanchez: “They can make their dreams possible through smaller things. They don’t have to have big resources as long as they want it and love it as much, they can accomplish it.”

What do you hope to receive from playing for Mexico in the World Cup?

Sanchez: “That I can become a better player and can compete with players like (the United States’) Alex Morgan, Hope Solo and just become a good example for American Falls and smaller towns.”

What can you bring back to Idaho State soccer next season as a sophomore?

Sanchez: “Be able to score more goals and break records and bring that experience playing on the national team back to Idaho State, and become a better player and bring a better piece to the team.”