TST 7v7 with Soccerhead FC

We didn’t win the million dollars, but we left with our hearts full.

Soccerhead FC celebrates after Mackenzie Pluck scores the game winner on a PK during “target goal” against Tampa Bay Suns.

The inaugural women’s TST 7v7 Tournament took place in Cary, North Carolina. TST, The Soccer Tournament, kicked off on Friday, June 7th for the women, with a final set for Monday, June 10th. Eight women teams fighting for $1 million. On the flip side, there were 48 men’s teams battling to win their championship with the same reward - respect to TST for providing an equal prize for the female and male teams.

It may be a new tournament, but I predict that TST will be around for a long time. I was lucky to be a part of SoccerHead FC, led by the one and only Gilda Doria. A former Duke Women’s Soccer captain, Gilda rallied Blue Devil alumni, retired professionals, and other D1 graduates to come together and compete for the million. Beyond our veteran squad, SoccerHead also had the youngest player at TST who balled out and took on opponents with a confidence beyond her years. Entering the tournament, we had a 12.5% chance to leave with a big, fat check. 

Our group, Group B, faced Tampa Bay Suns, Burnley FC, and NC Courage who had a lot of home field support. What makes TST so exciting is that every game always ends on a goal. This concept is called “target goal”, which means you have to get 1+ the leading score. For example, in our first match against Tampa Bay, regulation finished 0-0. Since the score was tied at 0, this meant the target goal was 1, so whoever scored a goal first would be the winner. Additionally, when you’re playing to target goal, every three minutes a player on the team has to come off. So, it starts 7v7, and then goes to 6v6, 5v5, 4v4, 3v3 and ultimately, 2v2. Trust me, it’s intense!

In our first match against Tampa Bay Suns, we earned the victory when Mackenzie Pluck scored the winning penalty kick during target goal. Mackenzie, who we call Mac, was fouled in the box by Brazilian legend, Formiga. Formiga is the only player in history (men or women) to play in seven World Cups and seven Olympic Games. Honestly, it must’ve felt like an honor to be taken out by Formiga. Mac is a legend herself - she has the most games played in the history of Duke women’s soccer. Calm and composed, Mac nailed her PK and SoccerHead FC won the game. We stormed the field and chanted in celebration of our victory. You can watch it from the lens of our very own, Papi-Razzi. 

Getting that first win put SoccerHead in a good position. We had a double-header that Friday facing Burnley FC in the evening. Burnley was stacked with former and current professionals. Their team was led by Kealia Watt, a UNC National Champion and long-time reckoning force in the NWSL having played for Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars. Kealia is also the wife of NFL super star, JJ Watt, who was coaching Burnley FC at TST. Unfortunately, our second match didn’t go in our favor. We were trailing 2-1 after regulation. Our lone goal was an absolute rip by Ashton Miller, a former Duke Blue Devil, Chicago Red Star, and AC Spartan. Ultimately, we lost to Burnley FC as they hit the back of the net to win during target goal. After accepting defeat, it was soon smiles from players on both teams. The soccer community has rivals, but it’s also filled with decades of friendship. 

Bryana Gold holding the youngest Williams boy, Cairo. Our opponents and friends, Cheyna Williams and Jamia Fields. And a special yet fleeting appearance from Lionel Williams as well. Good people, good times.

The last time I saw Cheyna Williams was at her wedding in 2018. Once a Vanderbilt Commodore teammate, Cheyna transferred to FSU, went on to win a National Championship and was named MVP of the tournament. Vandy still brought some important things in Chey’s life too - her husband, Jordan Matthews, was a First-Team All-SEC wide receiver at Vanderbilt, third-team All-American, and currently plays in the NFL. After witnessing the two of them get married in Nashville, I watched Cheyna’s journey of playing professionally in the NWSL and for her country Jamaica. In my eyes, and I’m sure in the eyes of many others, Cheyna is the ultimate badass and super Mom. She played in the 2019 World Cup, which was the first in Jamaica women’s history. This historical debut was less than a year after Cheyna gave birth to her first child - talk about comeback. Cheyna also made the Jamaican roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, in which she was a mother to three beautiful boys. I’m pretty sure she’s the only woman to play in a World Cup with three children…if anyone knows of another female soccer player who’s accomplished this feat, please let me know, I might be waiting forever. 

I’d spent the last years watching Cheyna ball out, and finally, we had the chance to embrace each other after the Soccerhead vs Burnley game. Not only was I able to hug Chey, but I also had reunions with her mom and Jordan. Most importantly, I had the chance to meet her famous three boys who I’ve been watching grow through Instagram. The power of social media allows us to connect with people from afar, but the value of being with friends face to face is priceless.

To learn more about Cheyna, check out this video of her and fellow Reggae Mum. 

With a 1-1 record, we needed to win our last game of group stage. In fact, every team in our group was entering their third game with a win and a loss, so stakes were high. We faced NC Courage, who had home pitch support. The team was led by former USWNT World Cup Champion Jessica McDonald; however, Jessica would have to report for NWSL broadcasting duties during our match. Unfortunately, we didn’t capitalize on her absence. NC Courage came out with the victory. For a bit, Soccerhead was making an exciting comeback. During 6v6 of target goal, I netted my only goal from a brilliant assist by Chelsea Washington. It will always be an exhilarating feeling to find the back of the net. It wasn’t just the attack, our defense was anchored by outstanding goalkeeping from Brittany Wilson who made numerous saves, which included blocking a penalty kick. Once we got to 3v3, the Duke duo - Schuyler DeBree and Ashton Miller - had a dynamic give-and-go that notched another goal on the scoreboard. But in the end, Soccerhead would fall short to the home team, and NC Courage and Tampa Bay Suns would advance from our group.

Ultimately, the US Women won the championship game and tournament prize. Even though we didn’t get the million dollars, we sure had a helluva time and a whole lot of fun. We spent beautiful summer days in North Carolina at WakeMed Soccer Park, we had big crowds cheering for us in the game we love, and we made new friendships while cherishing old ones. For me, that counts as a win. 

Till next year, TST ;)