Dover Midfielder Has Goal in Sight

DHS freshman Michelle Alvarez gets a tryout for the Colombian national U15 squad. By David Chmiel

Michelle Alvarez jumped on a flight in February to dodge the second major snowstorm of the year to live out a dream. She even left her family a note:

“Dream big, because the bigger your dream, the more your heart believes. Look at me now!” 

Michelle joined 22 other young women in Bogota on a five-day tryout to compete for a spot on the Colombian U15 Women’s National team. 

The 14-year-old varsity midfielder at Dover High School had a great 2025 season. Her mother, Juliana Giraldo, says Michelle earned the invitation when, “Last December, she participated in Colombia in one of the most important female soccer tournaments at Palmira in Colombia, and she was the top scorer of her club, JEGA.” 

Before she left for the tryout, Michelle shared her passion for futbol:

When did you start playing soccer?

After training hard at Randolph Gymnastics with Coach Mary for so many years, I decided to change sports at age 10. Dover Recreation program gave me the opportunity to practice [soccer] with them. Then, I was moved up to the travel soccer team in Dover and gradually became more involved in this sport, with the support of Diego Buitrago, my personal coach, Coach Ariana Rueda from Match Fit Surf (USA), and Coach Jose Eduardo Garzon from JEGA Fútbol Club Pereira in Colombia.

What are your early memories of playing soccer in Dover?

My earliest memories of playing soccer were on a small field at Crescent Field in Dover. I started on a mixed team with boys and girls. I remember being much smaller than the other players, but I was fast and strong. At first, I felt nervous and scared, but once I started playing and having fun, I felt something in my heart telling me that this was the sport for me.

Who is influential in training and inspiring your game?

My family has been my greatest influence in training and inspiring my game. They are always there for me and to support me every time during my practice and my games. Coach Diego Buitrago, who is my personal coach, and my uncles, Jorge Giraldo and Walter Alvarez, have also been major influences on my development. They have helped me grow as a player and reach this level through their guidance and support. They push me to be better every day.

Who are your favorite players?

Former U.S. Women’s National Team striker Alex Morgan, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Colombian national team left winger Luis Diaz, and Colombian national team center-midfielder Richard Rios.

How were you notified that you had a chance to make the U15 Colombian team?

I usually go to Colombia twice a year to train in competitive soccer at JEGA Fútbol Club Pereira.

They have helped me a lot to improve my technical skills and playing ability. In addition, in December 2025, I competed in one of the most important women’s club tournaments in Colombia. At that event, many people were scouting players. When the tournament ended, they sent my mother a document to register with the U15 Colombia Team. On January 20, Jorge Ruiz, the physical trainer for the Colombian U15 Women’s National Team, called us and asked if I’m ready to go to Bogota, Colombia, to be part of the tryouts to select the athletes who will represent Colombia at the South American Youth Games.

What does this moment mean to you and your family?

This moment means a lot to us. It is big for my family and me since this is a big step in my soccer career, this is something that my family has helped me achieve for a while, and it’s a dream come true for all of us.

It’s not easy to be away from my family for a few days—my mom, my little sister, my grandpa, and Grace (my dog). The good thing is that my dad, Albiero, is coming with me to Colombia. But I also know that I have the responsibility to enjoy myself and represent Colombia and the United States well at this event.

What do you expect to learn to help you grow as a player?

I expect to learn how to play on a higher-level team, to be a more independent and responsible girl. To share experiences with other players of a similar or higher skill level than mine. I know this will help me grow not only as a soccer player but also as a person.