Life and soccer come full circle for Dallasite Eva González at State Fair Clásico
Eva González was destined to one day report to work in uniform in downtown Dallas. What she never imagined was that the uniform would belong to a historic soccer club.
González appeared in Chivas’ starting lineup in Saturday’s State Fair Clásico against Dallas Trinity FC at the Cotton Bowl, and with that, the midfielder’s life came full circle.
“I never imagined I would play in Dallas, in a historic stadium and in front of my family,” said González, who was born in Dallas.
The Mesquite resident discovered soccer at a very young age by watching her older brother play. From then on, her goal was to play professionally one day. Her parents supported her every step of the way, helping her join high-performance academies such as FC Dallas and Solar.
Over the years, the sport stopped being a hobby and became a dream, inspired in part by figures such as Mia Hamm, one of the players she always admired.
After graduating from Bishop Lynch High School, Eva continued her athletic and academic career at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. There, she earned a degree in criminology, a minor in psychology and later a master’s degree in criminology.
However, the intensity of her college years took a heavy emotional and athletic toll.
“I got burned out,” González said.
After finishing her studies in 2019, she decided to step away from soccer temporarily and returned to the Dallas area, where she completed the requirements to obtain her license as a police officer.
When she finished her training to become a police officer with the city of Dallas, González had two years to activate her license and join the department.
That was when she had a change of heart.
Although she had a life plan that led away from the field, doubts about leaving soccer for good led her to give it one last chance before making an irreversible decision.
“I started having doubts, and I decided to try to become a professional player. After all, if it didn’t work out, I already had my Plan B, which was to be a police officer in Dallas”, González said.
During her time as a student, she stood out for her strong abilities, and her talent did not go unnoticed by Leonardo Cuéllar, who coached Mexico’s national soccer teams from 1998-2006.
Cuéllar took González to the under-17 and under-20 World Cups. Later, when he became coach of América in Mexico’s women’s league, he brought González with him.
González played for América from 2020 to 2023 and then moved to the team in Ciudad Juárez. That was where she experienced the most difficult moment of her career: just after her first game with Juárez, she tore the meniscus in her left knee.
Her recovery was long and emotionally challenging.
“When something you love doing is taken away from you, it’s devastating. You don’t know what to do; you feel lost,” González said.
After two surgeries and a difficult rehabilitation, González received another opportunity.
In January, Chivas opened its doors to her and gave her a chance to return to the field.
“Eva’s arrival has been wonderful for the club,” said Nelly Simón, Chivas Femenil’s sporting director. “The professionalism she shows in training and in games, the way she connects with the group, her great camaraderie — it has all been very well received within the team.”
Playing for Chivas is a source of pride for González. Her parents are of Mexican descent, and her grandparents are from Guadalajara, the city where she now plays.
The Chivas women’s team is part of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, founded in 1906. The club has become one of the most popular in Mexico and the United States because it is the only club in Mexico that fields only Mexican players.
“My grandparents have always reminded me that Mexican blood runs through my veins. That makes me very proud,” González said, her voice cracking with emotion.
González’s lively, cheerful personality made an immediate impression on Chivas goalkeeper Blanca Felix.
“From the first day we met, we had great chemistry. Right then, we became roommates,” Felix said. “Eva is very funny, very cheerful. She brightens your day and helps you see life in a positive way. But on top of all that, she is a great professional.”
Despite playing in Mexico, González has not lost her connection to Dallas. The State Fair holds happy childhood memories for her, which is why she never misses an opportunity to go.
Just a few weeks ago, taking advantage of a break in Liga MX, González flew from Guadalajara to Dallas to attend the fair.
“It was really quick. I had two days off, so I took off for the fair,” González said.
On Saturday, González returned to the Fair Park grounds — this time wearing the Chivas jersey to play at the Cotton Bowl in front of dozens of family members and friends.
For her, life had come full circle.
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This article originally published at Life and soccer come full circle for Dallasite Eva González at State Fair Clásico.
