Photo by: Derek Johnson
Mimi Eiden’s dream is coming true
9/20/2021 1:40:00 PM | Soccer
Growing up in Forest Lake, Minn., Mimi Eiden held on to the dream, of one day representing her home country of Liberia, where she lived until the age of 6 before being adopted, on the soccer field.
Next month that dream will come true.
Eiden will play for Liberia's national team in a pair of matches against Senegal in a qualifier for the biennial Africa Women Cup of Nations, scheduled for next July in Morocco.
"I'm really excited. When I was younger, this was on my bucket list," said Eiden, who is coaching and training back home in Forest Lake. "I wanted to play where I came from."
Eiden spent three years playing at North Dakota before transferring to Montana for her final season.
Her collegiate career ended on a high note, as the Grizzlies won Big Sky Conference regular-season and tournament titles in the spring, followed by a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Next month she'll fly back to Liberia and step foot on land she hasn't visited since leaving at the age of 6.
"It's excitement but also nerves. There are older girls who play professionally on the team who have been there for a while, so I'll have to learn the team dynamics. I'm sure they'll be welcoming," she said.
Competing in Pool A of the West African Football Union, Liberia will play at Senegal on Oct. 18, then host the same team on Oct. 26.
The winner of that two-leg series will face either Mali or Guinea for a pair of matches. The winner of that series will qualify for the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations, scheduled for July 2-23.
Liberia has never advanced to the Africa Women Cup of Nations. The top three teams from that tournament advance to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
"I've been training every day, not knowing when I'd leave. You can't be unprepared for these things," Eiden said. "I'm super new to all of this, so I'm going into it somewhat blindly."
She'll be the third senior off last spring's championship team that has gone on to play overseas.
Alexa Coyle is playing for Hibernian of the Scottish Women's Premier League. Rita Lang is playing for Estoril Praia in the Liga BPI, the top women's league in Portugal.
Next month that dream will come true.
Eiden will play for Liberia's national team in a pair of matches against Senegal in a qualifier for the biennial Africa Women Cup of Nations, scheduled for next July in Morocco.
"I'm really excited. When I was younger, this was on my bucket list," said Eiden, who is coaching and training back home in Forest Lake. "I wanted to play where I came from."
Eiden spent three years playing at North Dakota before transferring to Montana for her final season.
Her collegiate career ended on a high note, as the Grizzlies won Big Sky Conference regular-season and tournament titles in the spring, followed by a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Next month she'll fly back to Liberia and step foot on land she hasn't visited since leaving at the age of 6.
"It's excitement but also nerves. There are older girls who play professionally on the team who have been there for a while, so I'll have to learn the team dynamics. I'm sure they'll be welcoming," she said.
Competing in Pool A of the West African Football Union, Liberia will play at Senegal on Oct. 18, then host the same team on Oct. 26.
The winner of that two-leg series will face either Mali or Guinea for a pair of matches. The winner of that series will qualify for the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations, scheduled for July 2-23.
Liberia has never advanced to the Africa Women Cup of Nations. The top three teams from that tournament advance to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
"I've been training every day, not knowing when I'd leave. You can't be unprepared for these things," Eiden said. "I'm super new to all of this, so I'm going into it somewhat blindly."
She'll be the third senior off last spring's championship team that has gone on to play overseas.
Alexa Coyle is playing for Hibernian of the Scottish Women's Premier League. Rita Lang is playing for Estoril Praia in the Liga BPI, the top women's league in Portugal.
Players Mentioned
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Friday, May 01
