The clearance comes from West Coast FC's defensive line. Emma Verbanov drops back from her striker position to collect it in the center circle. Two City SC Southwest defenders close on her immediately, sandwiching her before she can turn.
Most players would shield the ball and look for support. Emma fights them off and spins forward.
Space opens ahead. She pushes into it, carrying the ball through midfield while defenders scramble to close her down. Nobody can get near enough to stop her. The goalkeeper charges out as Emma reaches the penalty box. She lifts it past her into the right corner.
1-0 to West Coast FC. Emma's opening goal in what would become a 2-1 win in the Girls Academy League U16 Southwest Conference.
Both goals that day came from Emma. But this one, the solo run from midfield that beat multiple defenders before finishing past the advancing keeper, is the one that got submitted for this year's People's Puskas, which spotlights the best goals scored away from the biggest arenas.
The instinct to keep going
"It is always my preference, if I can, to turn around my mark and either pass or dribble forward to gain space," Emma says. "I was able to fight off the two defenders that sandwiched me in the center of the field, I noticed the space ahead of me and I thought I have the speed and can keep going."
The decision happens fast. Two defenders pressing, space beyond them, the confidence to back herself in a footrace. Emma trusted what she saw and committed.
"In my head I had the idea that if I got into the penalty box, I would try and place the ball in the opposite corner past the keeper," she says. "It was one of those moments of just following your instincts and visualising the play in your mind in a split of a second."
That visualization became reality. The run worked. The finish found the corner. The feeling afterward was exactly what Emma expected.
"It was an amazing feeling at the end," she says.
The detail nobody noticed
Emma is naturally right-footed. Watch the goal back and you'll see something she didn't realize until later.
"One interesting thing is that I am naturally a right footed player and the play was predominantly with my left foot, including the finish," Emma says. "The funny thing is that I didn't even notice until I watched the video."
That's what instinct looks like. No conscious thought about which foot to use, just execution with whatever works in the moment. The goal required her left foot, so her left foot finished it.
"I think a lot of people would think that I would have given up with two defenders fighting to get the ball," Emma says. "I just had it in my mind, followed my instincts and pushed through."
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Why documentation matters
Emma watches her matches back regularly. Not just the goals, but everything. The moments that worked and the ones that didn't.
"I often watch my games to see things I need to improve on or things I do good and need to continue to do," she says. "Having the videos is very important to me and my development as I am determined one day to play the game professionally."
Professional football is the goal. Emma knows what that requires. Film study, honest self-assessment, identifying patterns she needs to change and strengths she needs to maintain. Having her matches recorded gives her that ability.
"It also makes my dad very happy as he does not have to film the games anymore and can sit back and enjoy watching the games," Emma says.
An honor worth acknowledging
When Emma learned her goal had been submitted for People's Puskas, the response was immediate.
"An absolute honor, an amazing feeling and a reward for hard work," she says. "There are so many good goals and good players that deserve to win the competition. Being considered alone is an honor and I really appreciate Veo's team giving my goal attention and a chance."
Emma is 16 years old, playing in the Girls Academy League Southwest Conference, working toward a professional career. This goal is proof she has the ability to make that happen.
The instinct to fight off two defenders and keep going. The speed to outrun the defense. The finish with her weaker foot without even thinking about it. That's what separates players who dream about going professional from players who actually might.
Emma Verbanov might.
Beat that!
