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Huerta to spurn Mexico, hope for shot with USWNT

Sofia Huerta will purportedly try her luck with the USWNT and decline future invites from Mexico. (Photo: Santa Clara Athletics)

Sofia Huerta will purportedly try her luck with the USWNT and decline future invites from Mexico. (Photo: Santa Clara Athletics)

It appears outgoing Santa Clara University forward Sofia Huerta will try to make it on the international stage with the United States, not Mexico.

Huerta played for the United States U-20 team but was cut before the 2012 U-20 World Cup. Holding dual citizenship, Huerta quickly joined Mexico for the competition and scored three goals in four games for Mexico, who made the quarterfinals.

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She played sparingly for Mexico’s senior team thus far and she did not play for Mexico during October’s World Cup qualifying event. The hold-up was believed to be with Santa Clara releasing her for international play, but a bigger picture seems to be at play. World Cup qualifying is an official FIFA event that would have cap-tied Huerta to Mexico, according to FIFA statutes.

In discussing a variety of topics with Jen Cooper on Keeper Notes, Houston Dash head coach Randy Waldrum said he spoke with Santa Clara coach Jerry Smith about Huerta’s intent to make the U.S. national team.

“She’s written a letter saying that she is going to respectfully decline and not play for Mexico,” Waldrum said around the 45-minute mark of the podcast. “She’s going to put all her marbles into making the U.S. team.”

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Huerta of course faces stiff competition against incumbents Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez and Abby Wambach as well as other American forwards waiting in the wings.

Huerta was named a third-team NSCAA All-American in 2013 and 2014. She scored 17 of Santa Clara’s 34 goals this season.

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