By OkayGoal 
As our time wrapped up after ten days in Spain, Brandi Chastain’s closing team huddle reminded us of everything we had accomplished in such a short time and the lasting impact it would have on all of us.
If you’re a fan of women’s soccer, like most of GSN’s followers and definitely me, you’ve probably heard interviews from the 99ers talking about the bonds they’ve formed since walking off the field as world champions. Some are co-owners of NWSL teams together, some host podcasts together, and they continue to share life’s milestones through texts, photos, and countless memories. It’s something that, as a player, you hope and dream of experiencing.
So, when I first heard the coaching staff announcement for this year’s U18 ODP National Team Spain trip, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Of course, having Brandi Chastain as a coach and mentor was going to be different than having anyone else. And with Coach Patrick Baker and Brandi leading the group, you knew the expectations and accountability would be high for us athletes.
That’s exactly what you want at this level.
What I don’t think any of us expected was that ten days later, we’d be sobbing and heartbroken that our time together was ending.
Our days in Spain were packed. One minute we were touring a city, the next we were squeezing onto a bus, heading to training, trying new foods, or preparing for a match. Looking back, I’m still not sure how we fit so much into ten days. Somewhere between all of that, we managed to learn so much about one another. And, of course, traveling with Brandi Chastain, a recognizable soccer icon, meant our group would often be stopped by people who wanted pictures with her or wanted to share what she meant to them and the game of soccer. She always gave her time freely, genuinely, and enthusiastically.
All of us on the U18 National ODP Team came from different parts of the United States and represented different clubs, but it was funny how quickly everything clicked. As each player arrived at JFK Airport on day one, the group grew one person at a time. Every new arrival was greeted with hugs, excitement, and about twenty questions as we all tried to get to know each other before we’d even left the airport.
I don’t think I’ve ever been part of a team that connected so quickly. From that first day, we just kept growing closer and more inseparable.
There were so many highlights from the trip. One that I still have to pinch myself about happened when Brandi texted the team group chat one evening, asking who wanted to learn how to play poker using seashells. Naturally, being a group of 16 teenagers, we all ran outside, chaotically scattering across the beach to collect as many shells as we could find. Then, as we entered the team room, we suddenly tried to act calm and composed while greeting Brandi. Because, of course, we couldn’t let her see just how much we were fan-girling.
The night was amazing, so much so that Brandi had to apologize to our tour chaperones for keeping us up a little past curfew.
Another top moment was receiving my player performance assessment from Brandi. I was literally sitting down with the GOAT and getting feedback on my game. Player assessments are one of the most important parts of development, and here I was with Brandi Chastain, who was taking the time to provide that feedback to me personally. That’s a moment I’ll never forget.
People often say that Brandi is every bit as good a person as she was an athlete and that she’s deeply invested in the growth of the game for girls and women. You hear that, and you smile, you applaud it, and you want to believe it’s true.
Then you meet her.
You spend time around her, and you realize it isn’t just something people say. She genuinely cares. She’s all about people, connections, relationships, and a love for the game. The way she invests in those around her is what makes her impact so special.
So I encourage everyone to watch our U18 National ODP Team’s end-of-trip huddle, where Brandi talks about lasting friendships and connections beyond the pitch, because it really is something special.
What makes it even more meaningful is that two months later, she checked in with me at an event we were both attending and asked if the team was still in contact.
I told her we were. Our group chat is still active, and we’ve continued sharing photos, videos, and messages from our proms, high school graduations, concerts, TikToks, and all the random moments in between.
She smiled and told me that meant more to her than we probably realized.
And honestly, I think that’s the biggest lesson I took away from Spain.
I’ll always remember the soccer, the training sessions, and the opportunity to compete in Spain. But when I think back on the trip, those aren’t the first things that come to mind.
The friendships and connections we built beyond the pitch may end up lasting the longest.