Júlia Faria reveals US edge and dream of Corinthians first team | OneFootball

The growth of college soccer in the United States as an alternative for young Brazilian female athletes has become a topic at Corinthians. Júlia Faria, a defensive midfielder for the club’s Under-20 team, analyzed the differences between the opportunities available in the two countries and highlighted the possibility of combining a sports career with education as one of the main attractions of the American model. She made the statement in an interview with Meu Timão.

The topic gained even more attention at Parque São Jorge after five players left the women’s youth system between July and August this year. The athletes left Corinthians to continue their journeys in the United States, where they joined projects linked to school and college soccer.

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When analyzing the two paths, Júlia avoided pointing to one model as ideal for every athlete. For the midfielder, the choice depends on each player’s goals. The possibility of maintaining a closer connection between academics and soccer, however, appears as a key difference offered in the United States.

“I think it’s something very different from what we have here and what they have there. So I think it depends on each girl and what she is looking for. There, we’re able to have a stronger connection with our studies. So that ends up being the biggest difference. I think that’s what makes us change our minds,” she said.

Corinthians youth system had five departures to the United States

The movement mentioned by the player could be seen within Corinthians itself in recent months. In July alone, three athletes left the club’s youth ranks to pursue their careers in the United States.

Manu Olivan, a midfielder who was part of the Under-20 squad, and Brunna Meer, a center-back from the same age group, moved to American college soccer. Mariela Baiak, a forward who had arrived at Timão in May to join the Under-17 team, also left the club through the same route.

In August, two more departures added to the list. Center-back Lari Horn said goodbye to the Under-20 squad, while Natália Pereira, an Under-17 midfielder, also moved to the United States.

According to information published by Meu Timão, Corinthians received no financial compensation for releasing the five athletes. The departures highlight a challenge for the development process in Brazilian women’s soccer, especially in the face of an alternative that offers young players the chance to keep playing while building their academic path.

Júlia still aims to reach the professional squad

Despite acknowledging the attractions found abroad, Júlia Faria also sees the path from the youth ranks to Corinthians’ senior team as a reference. The defensive midfielder revealed that she has already taken part in activities with the professionals and stays in touch with players who made that same transition in recent years.

Among the examples mentioned by the youngster are Jhonson and Duda Mineira. Both came through Timão’s youth system and currently are part of the professional squad coached by Emily Lima.

For Júlia, closely following the progress of her former teammates also fuels her goal of earning a place among the Brabas.

“Yes, yes. Last year I trained more, we moved up more often. This year we also have contact, we know what it’s like there. And we know the girls well, like Jhonson and Duda Mineira, who also came through the youth system with us and we played together. So it’s really nice to see how they managed to get there and to have that as a dream for us too,” she added.

Júlia’s relationship with the professional squad is part of a period of adaptation for the midfielder. At 18 years old, the athlete is playing her first season with the Under-20 team after coming through the Under-17s. She had previously highlighted that the contact between the age groups helped in the transition process.

Brabinhas will have the Paulista and Copinha at the end of the year

While looking ahead to the next steps in her career, Júlia Faria still has important commitments with Corinthians’ Under-20 team in 2026. The Brabinhas are preparing to face Red Bull Bragantino in the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Paulista in their age category.

The first match is scheduled for October 17 at Estádio Benito Agnelo Castellano. The spot will be decided a week later, on the 24th, when Corinthians host their opponent at Fazendinha.

After the state tournament, the black-and-white club’s calendar will feature the Women’s Copinha. The fourth edition of the competition will be held between November and December, and Corinthians are in Group B, named Copan.

In the first stage, the Brabinhas will face Red Bull Bragantino, Atlético-MG, and Ação-MT. The competition will be another opportunity for Júlia and other players from Corinthians’ youth system to seek a leading role while keeping on the horizon the same path already taken by players such as Jhonson and Duda Mineira: leaving the youth ranks and earning a place in Corinthians’ professional squad.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.