Zinet Siddiqi

My father immigrated to the United States, when he was just a teenager, with his brother and cousin after the Soviet Union invaded their homeland.

I was born and raised in the United States, but my father’s roots in Afghanistan had a profound influence on our family. He played football both there and here in the States after immigrating. After having four daughters, with me being the youngest, he chose to pass on his passion for the sport by putting me in soccer, hoping I would carry on his legacy. Growing up, I was a shy kid, but soccer became my outlet. I didn’t need to be outgoing or extroverted to excel on the field—my game spoke for itself. Soccer not only helped me develop as a player, but it also allowed me to grow as an individual, both on and off the field.

I completed my college soccer career at Saint Mary’s College of California, competing at the NCAA Division I level. I now play in the USL W league, a semi-professional league here in the United States, and continue to train intensively with the aim of reaching the professional ranks.