Meet Mia Fishel, the USWNT Prospect Making Waves in Mexico

February 10, 2023
By Sofia Medrano

UCLA always provides some impressive women’s soccer players to professional teams–Ashley Sanchez, Caprice Dydasco, Abby Dahlkemper, and Lauren Barnes, to name a few. Mia Fishel is definitely on that list. She has impressive talent. So much so that she is making a name for herself in another country and is still being talked about here.

The former Bruin, who also played for the San Diego Surf, made headlines last year with her decision to play professionally in Mexico. Now, she is making headlines for the ridiculous number of goals she scores each season. Here’s how the powerhouse forward got her start.

Finding Success at UCLA

Fishel was a big addition to the UCLA team during her time there and earned several accolades during three very successful seasons. She led scoring during the regular and postseason in her Freshman year and was ranked third among all first-year students in the nation for the number of goals scored.

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Fishel only got better from there. She earned selections for First Team All-Pac-12, First Team All-Pacific Region, and Second Team All-American in her Sophomore year. Fishel was again the top scorer in her final season and ended as the fifth all-time leading scorer in team history.

Moving to the Pros

Like several other young players are choosing to do now, Fishel opted out of playing her final year at UCLA to enter the 2022 NWSL Draft. She was selected fifth overall in the first round by the Orlando Pride to play for her former college coach, Amanda Cromwell.

In a surprising turn of events, she ended up signing with the Tigres UANL Femenil in the Liga MX Femenil. She had a great first season, winning the Apertura 2022 Championship with the Tigres.

I would like to dedicate my achievement to my family, team, and management group for their everlasting support and belief in me. The best is yet to come as we head into the Apertura 2022 playoffs and championship run. I have no doubt we are capable of securing a 5th championship! pic.twitter.com/DEJwvXyufM

— Mia Fishel (@miafishel10) October 26, 2022

While many wondered about her decision not to play in the NWSL, she responded by winning the 2022 Liga MX Femenil Apertura Golden Boot 2022.

National Team Experience

Mia Fishel made plenty of appearances with the U.S. Youth National Teams, including the CONCACAF U-15 and U-20 Championships and the 2018 U-17 World Cup. While she was still at UCLA in 2020, she received a call-up to a USWNT training camp, yet it did not result in inclusion on the team roster.

That same year, however, Fishel was a finalist for the 2020 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. She was in tough competition for the award, nominated alongside Trinity Rodman and Naomi Girma, who went on to win.

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This month, The U-23 USWNT called her up for their games against France. She’s alongside college standouts and NWSL stars in the making, including Alyssa Thompson and Michelle Cooper.

Competing between veteran stars and recent younger talent in the NWSL, it seems that Fishel faces unlikely chances to appear on the USWNT roster any time soon. Though if “Big Fish” keeps the same consistency in scoring this season, it wouldn’t be far off to say that she would, without a doubt, make a big impact on the national team. Until then, we can continue to enjoy watching her rack up goals in the Liga MX Femenil!

Featured image via Getty Images