Around the world and back: Jourdan Ziff

A year after first training with the teammates that would become the Strikers, Jourdan Ziff was on her way to Finland to begin her professional soccer career.

Since that first pro season, the left midfielder from Temecula has also played in Brazil and Canada. But she always finds herself returning to San Diego to play with the Strikers.

“It’s such an amazing level of soccer for not being professional,” Ziff said. “Amazing training and competition, along with being so fun. That can be so hard when you play college or pro.” 

Ziff has played with the team for seven years. She’s gone from a college athlete fighting for her playing time to a senior who other players turn to for advice about professional soccer and playing abroad. The team has grown along with her; Ziff says she is consistently challenged by the level of play on Strikers.

Not every player decides to pursue professional play. But every member of the Strikers chooses to make soccer an important part of their lives, even among the competing demands of work, school, and other responsibilities. The level of competition is a testament to that spirit.

“In some countries, soccer is the biggest sport. We don’t have that in America. This team is just straight passion,” Ziff said.

Team chemistry is one of the main draws that keeps Ziff coming back. She says no matter how many seasons she’s been gone, her old friends are there to pick up right where they left off. 

Ziff’s travels have left her with a new perspective on her teammates’ dedication to one another and the game. She said the Strikers’ semi-professional status creates an environment where pure passion is free to thrive.

“When you’re in a pro season, there’s this connotation that you’re at work or it’s your job,” Ziff said. “With the Strikers, no one is there unless they love to play.” 

Among hobbies such as surfing, camping, and language learning, Ziff loves to travel. She feels lucky that soccer has given her so many opportunities to explore the world.

She’s grown as a player and individual by learning about and adapting to each country’s culture, both on and off the field. But there’s nothing like coming home.

Ziff is now working to build a career in sports journalism. It’s a transition that will allow her to spend more time with friends, family, and the teammates who have welcomed her home year after year.

“Playing with the Strikers is what's next. It’s what’s going to keep me connected to the game,” Ziff said. “I’m putting more roots down back here. Strikers allows me to do that.”

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Whether pursuing professional soccer or continuing to play while building a career at home, Strikers is proud to support female athletes in San Diego achieving their dreams.

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