Recently, Vera returned from a two-week international soccer tour of France after being selected to represent the Coach George Ba Soccer Academy of Los Angeles. As the youngest player on the academy’s U13 roster, Vera played primarily at left wing alongside talented teammates from across the United States and France.

The trip offered much more than soccer. It gave Vera and her teammates the opportunity to train and compete against some of Europe’s top youth academies while experiencing French history, culture, and traditions.

The adventure began in Paris, where Vera visited landmarks including Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Latin Quarter and the Seine River. The team then traveled by high-speed train to Rennes and continued to Pontivy, where players met one another for the first time. Despite coming from different states and countries, the team quickly developed chemistry and a shared sense of purpose.

One of the trip's early highlights was participating in the opening ceremonies of the Tournoi International de Guerlédan. Thousands of spectators gathered as teams from around the world marched through the historic town. Carrying the American flag, the Ba Soccer Academy players proudly represented Team USA during the celebration.

Tournament competition was intense. Playing in temperatures above 100 degrees, the girls competed in seven matches in one day while adapting to a European style of play that emphasized quick passing, aggressive defending, and rapid decision-making.

Vera created several scoring opportunities and eventually found the back of the net twice during the tournament. One goal came on a first-touch finish following a cross from the right wing. Another came on a left-footed first-touch volley from the back post. The team's balanced attack and disciplined defense helped Ba Soccer Academy earn first place in its tournament bracket.

The soccer continued throughout the trip. In Paris, the team faced the Paris Saint-Germain U13 Girls Academy, one of Europe's premier youth development programs. Ba Soccer Academy battled throughout the match, and Vera reached a personal milestone by scoring the 100th goal of her career this year against the elite PSG squad.

The team later traveled to Lyon for training and competition against Olympique Lyonnais Féminin's academy, another internationally recognized powerhouse in women's soccer development. After that demanding match, the players competed in additional friendlies against a local club, earning shutout victories in both games. Vera delivered one of her strongest performances of the tour, scoring a hat trick in the first match before stepping into goal during the second to help preserve another shutout.

Between matches, the players explored more of France, including the medieval island of Mont-Saint-Michel, the vineyards of Saint-Étienne-des-Oullières, and Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the renowned culinary market named for legendary French chef Paul Bocuse.

The final stop was Le Mans for the prestigious Ladies Cup. Vera added another hat trick during group play as the team advanced to the championship match. Ba Soccer Academy ultimately finished as runner-up after falling in a penalty shootout.

Vera finished the international tour with an impressive 11 goals, including two hat tricks. 

Yet for Vera, the most important part of the trip went beyond the statistics.

“This experience made me a better, stronger, and faster player,” Vera said. “Now I know what it’s like to play with players who have great skill and abilities from around the world.”

Competing against older and highly skilled international players taught her to think faster, move more effectively without the ball, and adapt to different styles of play. More importantly, it gave her confidence.

“Before this trip, I didn’t think I could compete with players of this level,” Vera said. “Playing against such talented athletes gave me confidence and showed me that I belong.”

The experience also reinforced an important lesson about teamwork. Vera came away understanding that successful teams are built through the contributions of every player.

“Every teammate had an important role; everyone contributed in their own unique way, and we all shared the same goal and determination to succeed,” she said. “Together, we became something bigger than ourselves.”

For this young Murrysville athlete, France was more than an international soccer adventure. It was an opportunity to challenge herself, gain confidence, make new friends, and discover just how far dedication, perseverance and teamwork can take her.

And if this trip is any indication, Vera Sharan's soccer journey is just getting started.