San Diego Wave forward Melanie Barcenas gave her all during the intense match against the Utah Royals FC, making it clear why she was signed at such a young age. She plays with poise and confidence, making it hard to believe that she’s only 16 years old. In the center of all the action, Barcenas played fiercely as a substitute for Delphine Cascarnio. We spoke to Barcenas about her experience as the youngest signed player in NWSL history and how she develops the power that we see on display every time that she steps on the field.
Finding Her Footing
Barcenas made history last year by becoming the youngest player in the NWSL to log game minutes during her debut. Signed at just 15 years old, Barcenas made a big wave in the league, showing talent beyond her years. When talking to Barcenas about her start on a professional team, she said that it was a “big change at first,” along with the “level and intensity and professionalism around it on the field [and] off the field.”
While it was a big leap for Barcenas, she has been preparing for this moment for a while now. She had been training with the team since she was 14 years old, which helped her see that she was ready for this next step in her career. “Once I started having more success in training in that environment, I knew that this was the right thing that would only make me better,” Barcenas says.
The Impact that Age Has in Sport
In today’s world, there are no limitations to what young athletes can accomplish, with the media being a crucial part of sport and discovering young athletes. Professional leagues are recognizing all the talent that young athletes have to offer and beginning to find ways to nurture their talent. This is a reason for initiatives such as the NWSL's Under-18 Entry Mechanism, announced in 2022. This allows the league to officially sign up to four players under the age of 18 to a team, paving the way for more prodigies like Barcenas to take up space in professional arenas.
“Even now I’m still learning and improving every single day that I’m in the environment.”
Not only is Barcenas navigating the field, but she’s navigating her teen years at the same time, learning how to balance a social life and her career. Barcenas says that while it can be tough seeing her peers going to football games, she feels that her “love for the game overshadows all those other things.” “I would rather be playing with all these talented players and traveling,” she adds.
Setting the Pace for the Future
There is no sign of stopping now for Barcenas, as she has a contract with the San Diego Wave FC for three years, per the Under-18 Entry Mechanism. She is set to continue to grow and have a major impact in the league. “Even now I’m still learning and improving every single day that I’m in the environment,” Barcenas says.
Having looked up to Alex Morgan throughout the entirety of her soccer career, Barcenas takes a lot of inspiration from her leadership. When asked about the future for her in the NWSL, Barcenas says that she hopes to become one of the leaders for the team who her teammates can look up to and to “push the younger generation.”
Barcenas’ journey shows her dedication and the continually evolving opportunities for young women in sport. She is proving that age has no barrier to making an impact in the world of professional sport.
