Mia Wildeman’s training surely has taught her to keep her eyes focused on what is in front of her. As a goalkeeper, one misguided step or lapse could be detrimental.

But Wildeman, a Madison High School graduate who is headed to play at Nebraska in the fall, couldn’t help herself. The unrelenting cadence of the drums, the simultaneous chants from the stands, even the flares, proved to be “crazy cool stuff.”

“I did look over,” she said.

What Wildeman saw went beyond the San Antonio Athenians’ 2-0 loss to Club America Femenil on Wednesday in an international friendly before a crowd estimated to be as large as 1,200 at Blossom Athletic Center. With online streaming, the contest was viewed by as many as 5,000.

It provided a glimpse into the Athenians’ vision for the future — one they hope could bring professional women’s soccer to the Alamo City.

“I really didn’t know that there were that many people here in San Antonio that would come out and support, but now realizing that, if San Antonio Athenians can go pro, we would have no problem getting people to come,” Wildeman said. “It was quite an incredible experience.”

Playing in its fourth international friendly in franchise history — Athenians SC played Pumas UNAM in 2019 and Tigres UANL and Pachuca in 2017, the latter before a crowd of more than 2,100 — the local United Women’s Soccer club stayed within striking distance late into the contest after surviving an early goal and subsequent scoring threats.

“We played a little bit scared to start, and I think it kind of impacted the way we finished the game as well,” Athenians defender Jamie Erickson said. “I think moving forward, it just goes to show that there’s not going to be a team as good as Club America in the UWS, so I think it gives us a lot of confidence moving forward to kind of push toward the end of the season and the playoffs.”

Club America’s Monica Rodriguez Guzman scored the game-winner in the sixth minute off an assist from Amanda Araceli Perez Murillo. The goal came moments after Guzman found a crease in the defense and had a point-blank attempt denied by Wildeman.

“We literally could not hear on the field,” Athenians midfielder Isabella Beletic said. “We were trying to communicate with each other, but it was just impossible with the drums and stuff. In the second half, we decided to have physical markers — like, look at each other in the eyes — instead of screaming at each other, because it didn’t work.”

The ploy found success as Wildeman, who had a dozen saves, continually came up big and the Athenians found a spark early in the second half from substitutions Allison Fahey, Jade Piper and Emma Durain. Piper had a dangerous scoring opportunity in the 51st minute that Club America cleared away for a corner kick. Six minutes later, Brooke Hanson got a step behind the opponent’s defense but was just wide right with a shot.

“I was a little bit nervous in the beginning,” Wildeman said. “You just have to treat it like it’s any other game, you have to keep calm, be ready for it mentally. Playing soccer is just so much fun for me. It’s my dream. It’s everything I worked for, it’s everything I enjoy. This is my happy place. Just having all those people in the stands was even better.”

Club America, the 2018 Liga MX champion, rounded out the scoring in the 79th minute when Janelly Farias Rodriguez converted on a penalty kick after Murillo was taken down inside the penalty area.

“You have to definitely bring your ‘A game’ in front of a crowd this big,” said Erickson, who said she has played in front of crowd almost as large but not as passionate as the one on Wednesday. “On the field, everything stays the same. The ball’s still round, and you just try to score. For me, I think it’s just cool to be a part of it.”

That was the sentiment four years ago when the Athenians first found themselves on a similar stage. Back then, they played Pachuca and Tigres UNAL, getting a first taste of high-level competition. They’ve also twice played for Houston Dash of National Women’s Soccer League, including a few weeks ago.

“I remember Blossom Athletic Center being packed with fans,” said former Athenians player Marlyn Campa, who is one of three members of the inaugural team in 2017 now playing professionally in Mexico, along with her sister, Ana, and Leslie Rios. The Campa sisters play for UNAM Pumas, and Leslie Rios with Mazatlan Femenil. “I was excited to compare our level to the pros. I believe we gave a great game and that these teams were at a good level. I think most of the girls on the team were excited to showcase our abilities and see where we stood in comparison. The Athenians just brought the dream closer to home and actually allowed me to play vs. the pros.”

On a track of land on the city’s northwest side, a new group of female players chase the same vision as Campa. A month ago, heavy machinery and framework of yet-to-be finished buildings dotted the landscape. Now, there are home and visiting locker rooms, a press box, and an area for medical staff to tape ankles and attend to broken noses. There are bleachers for fans and a bench area for the players and coaches, too.

It’s all a part of an 82,000-square foot, $6.2 million quest jump-started by Olivier Pheulpin nearly 2 1/2 years ago. Pheulpin is technical director for Juventus Academy San Antonio, Soccer Central and the Athenians.

“The development of Soccer Central is truly beautiful to see,” said midfielder Allison Fahey, a former Boerne Champion High School standout who has been with the Athenians since 2017. “It’s special to be a part of because there’s so much put into it. The possibilities are endless. You have to know that you’re capable of anything. I’m just so grateful, blessed, to be a part of the growth of the Athenians. There’s a plan, and I don’t it. I’m walking by faith and letting that plan fall into place. Whatever happens, I’m here for it.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1