The Portland Pilots women’s soccer team completed their first ever international foreign tour in March, spending eight days in Portugal, according to an April 24 announcement. The trip included touring multiple towns, learning about European soccer culture, and participating in various activities designed to strengthen team bonds.
The trip marked a significant milestone for the program and its coaching staff. Head coach Michelle French and associate head coach Maite Zabala had long aimed for an overseas experience as a way to encourage growth and unity among the players. Their plans were delayed by the pandemic but became possible after a donor provided funding specifically for a memorable student-athlete experience.
French said, “There was a donor that wanted to give to the program, but not in a scholarship or software type of fund. They wanted it to be something that was memorable, impactful and very influential on the student-athletes for the rest of their lives.” Once logistics were arranged, coaches informed athletes over Zoom about the upcoming trip so they could prepare necessary travel documents.
Players took part in cultural presentations before departure and explored locations such as Sintra near Lisbon. Team members also engaged in volunteer work with a beach cleanup along Portugal’s Atlantic Coast following recent storms. Forward Xayla Black said, “It was eye opening… there was so much we had picked up, so much trash in a super small area, and it was kind of eye opening for all of us.” The group also participated in activities like surfing clinics.
Soccer remained an important component of the visit. The Pilots trained with SL Benfica’s women’s teams—one of Portugal’s top clubs—and played matches against both academy and senior squads. French said about training with Benfica: “For me, it was showing just what they (the Pilots) are capable of…they just kept going and going.” Dockter added: “It’s a different style of play over there…we had to adapt to that style of play.” Afterward, players attended an international match between Portugal’s national team and Finland as part of FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Reflecting on the journey’s impact beyond sports results or competition outcomes, French said: “I think it was a unique experience that our program hasn’t had before…it could impact our program in a really positive way.” Black described how sharing new experiences abroad strengthened her bond with teammates: “They already were like sisters to me…just being able to experience something completely new across the world was just a different type of bond.” Associate head coach Tina Ellertson concluded: “When we think about the holistic experience of our student-athletes…this trip fed their curiosity…and I think it hopefully helped them to be braver and open themselves up more.”
