Bhuta, 16, was named one of the three captains for the US. Participating in the event meant a lot to Bhuta, but may have meant more to her family
Mia Bhuta’s family from Mt. Lebanon in the US, made history by becoming the first woman of Indian descent to appear in a World Cup game for US Soccer. Playing in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Bhuta scored a goal in the 62nd minute to help the Americans open with an 8-0 win over tournament host India, reported triblive.com.
Bhuta, 16, was named one of the three captains for the US. Participating in the event meant a lot to Bhuta, but may have meant more to her family.
Vyom Bhuta, Mia’s father, was born in Mumbai and emigrated to the United States at age 16 to become an exchange student in New York. Bhuta met Mia’s mother when he went to Mercyhurst for college. Once they got married, the family settled in Mt. Lebanon.
“Girls are starting to believe in themselves more than ever before. I think in the past we’ve seen women have a large impact on their families, but we’re having more of an impact on society and a larger scope of influence. When I play, I hope to encourage young girls to continue to believe in themselves and know that with hard work they can achieve anything.”
— Mia Bhuta
“It was incredible,” Bhuta said. “It was a big moment not only for me, but for them. They are one of the main reasons I’ve been able to make it here. They’ve sacrificed so much for me to be here. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. My brother and sister have been my training partners.”
Bhuta graduated from high school a year early, finishing up last June. She is getting her start at Stanford this January, where she will be on the women’s soccer team.
“We’ve seen in a lot of countries that girls don’t have the same opportunities to play sports,” Bhuta said. “First off, it’s a call to everyone else around the world. We need your support. Girls are starting to believe in themselves more than ever before. I think in the past we’ve seen women have a large impact on their families, but we’re having more of an impact on society and a larger scope of influence. When I play, I hope to encourage young girls to continue to believe in themselves and know that with hard work they can achieve anything.”
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