Michelle Alozie is accomplished by any measure. She is a professional soccer player who also works at Texas Children’s Hospital. Last summer, she helped Nigeria to the round of 16 at the World Cup. Oh, and she has an Ivy League education, if there was any doubting her credentials.
So why didn’t the Houston Dash forward feel like she belonged on the pitch for many years?
After a frustrating conclusion to her college soccer career — her Tennessee Volunteers failing to make the NCAA tournament — a stint in Kazakhstan came to an abrupt end because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She had sent an email to the Dash coaching staff and earned a roster spot after weeks with the club as a trialist. Her national team journey started in a similar way, with her club coach notifying the Super Falcons manager who just happened to be training in town that she was eligible.
Last year, there was no doubt. Not only does Alozie belong on the soccer field, she was born to be there.
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“I think the first year or two, I felt a little bit of imposter syndrome. Like, this wasn’t really meant for…
