North Carolina State University Athletics
#PackPros - Catching Up With Taylor Porter
11/10/2020 11:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer
GoPack.com recently caught up with women's soccer #PackPro Taylor Porter (2015-18) to see what life has been like since she graduated NC State. The following is a Q&A series about her experience playing professionally and living overseas.
Q: Take us through your professional journey since you graduated. What teams have you played for, and for how long?
A: "After I graduated in Summer 2019, I was just training on my own, playing with a WPSL team and working part time, just waiting for my opportunity to play. Then, about two weeks after graduation, I got a call from Orlando Pride and they wanted me to come out for a trial and National Team replacement contract opportunity. From the point I got my call to my first training was about 3 days, so I packed up a few bags and drove down to Florida. I was there from mid-May until early July. My contract length was dependent on when the national team players came back from the World Cup.
"After my contract ended with Pride, I left 10 days later for Serbia to play with Spartak Subotica. I was there for five months and was able to play in the Champions League for the first time. This was an amazing experience to play in different countries and compete against great teams like Atletico Madrid in our Round of 32 matches.
"After Spartak, I spent about a month at home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then I was off flying to my new team, UDG Tenerife, in Spain. I was with this team for five months, and unfortunately this was when COVID-19 hit Europe, which affected the league exponentially. Now, I am currently with a new team, Racing Santander, in the north of Spain. I have been here for two months so far and am loving the new experience!"
Q: Of the different places you have lived so far overseas, which has been your favorite and why?
A: "I honestly don't think I can pick a favorite because I have loved every place that I have lived so far! They have all been so unique in their own ways. Serbia had amazing restaurants and coffee shops that my friends and I would go to all the time. Tenerife had amazing weather and views, along with great food, like fish. Santander is very different than both because I am in a bigger city now that has lots of people. There is amazing architecture here and there are lots of things to do. I also have great access to a train to venture outside the city as well!"
Q: What was your experience like with UDG Tenerife during COVID-19? Did you or the team have setbacks during this time with training, matches, etc.?
A: "When COVID first hit Spain, it was really scary because the country went into lockdown very fast and at the same time, the United States was closing their borders to Europe and many people were panicking to get back. At this point, we didn't know what was going to happen with the league because the lockdown was originally only supposed to be two weeks. With the chance of the league starting up again, the other Americans and myself decided to stay behind in case it did. We didn't want to risk going home and not being able to get back into Europe.
"Little did we know the lockdown was going to be 50 days. During those months, we were in a strict lockdown. We weren't able to go outside, besides to get groceries or for an emergency. Being stuck in an apartment for that long was hard. We did have meetings still and some trainings through Zoom, but for the most part we had to train on our own in our apartments. It took a lot of improvising! We had to go many weeks just training without any idea when the league was going to continue or if it was going to at all. Eventually, in May, the league announced the cancellation of the rest of the league. It was really unfortunate to hear about the rest of the season being cancelled and how COVID affected the league as a whole.
"At this point, I was going home without a contract but hoping to find a new team to sign with. After going home, it was very up in the air about what was going to happen with the next season. It was a waiting game and I just had to keep training and stay prepared for anything. After many months of waiting, we finally got word of what was happening with the season and I had a new team to look forward to playing with."
Q: Looks like Racing Santander's season just started up. What differences are there playing during this time compared to past seasons?
A: "This season is set up differently than the rest. All the teams in the region are broken up into subgroups based on geographical location, reducing travel and the need to fly or stay in hotels a lot. Trainings are different in that we have to maintain distance off the field, wear masks all the time outside of training, and have weekly COVID testing before our games. Since our season is set up a bit differently with less games to play, we started a bit later this year than usual. We will still have our winter break in December, which is half way through the season.
"I think the biggest thing about this season is that there are a lot of precautions that we have to take and be aware of to make sure we can prevent anyone from getting sick to the best of our abilities. Everything feels different than last season, and there really isn't anything normal about our lives right now due to COVID."
Q: Are there any comparisons you can make from your time between the teams you've played with? Likewise, what are the biggest differences between the organizations?
A: "There are a few differences between the teams and between the American league and European leagues. My experience at Pride was different than the others because it was a short-term contract, so I stayed with an amazing host family for two months. My contracts with Spartak and Tenerife were longer so I stayed in an apartment with other players, and ith Tenerife they actually were able to give us a car because Toyota was a sponsor.
"All three teams were very accommodating and did whatever they could to make transition to living there easy. As for the leagues, the NWSL is different than the European leagues in that the season is roughly from March until November and in Europe it is usually from August to May, with a break in between at Christmas. The big difference between the leagues are that there are a lot more teams in the European leagues that you play, while the NWSL is still new and expanding. There is also the Champions League in Europe which allows you to play really good teams in different countries.
"I think with training and everyday life, it's pretty different between my experience with Pride and in Europe. At Pride, I spent a lot of my day either at training, lifting, video or with the team. My normal schedule was from 8 AM to 2 PM or even a bit later. Here in Europe, in my experience, my days are a little more freed up because we usually just have training, while lifting and video is done more on our own. I think our trainings are pretty similar overall with the only difference being I have to translate more here in Spain."
Q: If you could describe your professional experience in one word, what would it be and why?
A: "I would 100% say adversity. I feel I have faced a lot of adversity throughout my career so far. Playing soccer professionally is really hard to do, especially abroad. I think that is why there is a lot of burnout from players year after year, because it's really hard! You have to acclimate to living thousands of miles from home, being up to a nine-hour time difference from family, experiencing a new culture, learning a new language, and on top of all of this finding your place within a team.
"Even after living in Spain for almost a year now, I'm still learning every day about either the culture here or how to be better for my team. I've experienced a lot of highs and lows throughout my career so far, I still am, and I will always have them. I just continue to learn how to fully enjoy those highs and then manage the lows, because they won't ever go away. I'm very lucky to have a great support system to help me out whenever I need it, and even though I say doing this is hard, I still love it so much and I wouldn't rather be doing anything else other than this."
Q: What's your most memorable moment so far in your professional career?
A: "My most memorable moment so far is playing Athletico Madrid in the Round of 32 of the Champions League at their home field and tying them 1-1. I feel like I experienced a whole new level mentally for myself that game, and I think it was the best game of my career so far. It was also a moment for me that I realized that I can play at this level and I shouldn't doubt my abilities to compete with these teams. I was also very happy to have my parents there to experience that with me as well. It was just a very proud moment for me and my team to have accomplished that."
Q: Do you have any short-term or long-term goals set out?
A: "Right now, my short-term goals are to take advantage of every game this shorter season to improve as a player in all my areas of weaknesses. Since COVID has happened we haven't played a league game since March, so I just want to really enjoy the opportunity to play again in a competitive environment with my team and win some games! For my long-term goals, I don't plan that far ahead for this career. I don't want to put a time frame on it or too much expectation on it. I just want to keep playing for as long as I continue to enjoy it and my body allows me to do so. I can say I don't plan on stopping any time soon. Even though I don't hold an expectation on my career, I do want to try and reach my highest potential."
Q: Looking back, how do you feel that playing collegiate soccer at NC State has helped you get to this point in your career?
A: "I honestly owe a lot of my success now to my NC State team. I think playing for such a great team in the best league in the country has allowed me to develop so much over my four years playing there. Being able to build a team from the ground up was an amazing accomplishment, and I think allowed me to grow as a player and a person. I was also able to play against some of the best players in the country, and those same players I have seen again in the professional world. I would not be the player I am now without my time at NC State."
Q: What's one thing that you miss about Raleigh and NC State?
A: "I miss Raleigh so much! I miss the food, like Cook Out and Flying Biscuit. I also miss the scenery there, like Lake Johnson and the great hikes around there. Raleigh has a great vibe and holds a very special place in my heart, and I have so many great memories living there in the city and at NC State. I had a great experience at NC State in pursuing my degree and collegiate athletic career.
"I think the biggest thing I miss from NC State though is my team. I love every single one of those girls and consider them my family to this day. They are all amazing people and are doing amazing things, and I am so glad to have played with them and know them. When you spend hours a day, every day with a group of girls for four years, you create a real bond with them."
Q: Any life updates not related to soccer?
"There aren't really any big updates outside of soccer right now besides I have been taking Spanish lessons for four months now, and am starting to get the hang of it! I also started a blog this past year called 'Mind Body Sport'. It's about my experience as a female collegiate athlete and current experience as a professional athlete.
"I have actually changed my diet since college and have been primarily vegetarian for a year now, with only eating fish every once in a while. I have found that since going vegetarian, I have felt a lot better on and off the field. Lastly, since I started traveling in Europe, I started collecting cat mugs from cities and countries I have visited (I am a true cat lady!). So far, I have mugs from Subotica, Belgrade, Bratislava, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife."
Q: Take us through your professional journey since you graduated. What teams have you played for, and for how long?
A: "After I graduated in Summer 2019, I was just training on my own, playing with a WPSL team and working part time, just waiting for my opportunity to play. Then, about two weeks after graduation, I got a call from Orlando Pride and they wanted me to come out for a trial and National Team replacement contract opportunity. From the point I got my call to my first training was about 3 days, so I packed up a few bags and drove down to Florida. I was there from mid-May until early July. My contract length was dependent on when the national team players came back from the World Cup.
"After my contract ended with Pride, I left 10 days later for Serbia to play with Spartak Subotica. I was there for five months and was able to play in the Champions League for the first time. This was an amazing experience to play in different countries and compete against great teams like Atletico Madrid in our Round of 32 matches.
"After Spartak, I spent about a month at home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then I was off flying to my new team, UDG Tenerife, in Spain. I was with this team for five months, and unfortunately this was when COVID-19 hit Europe, which affected the league exponentially. Now, I am currently with a new team, Racing Santander, in the north of Spain. I have been here for two months so far and am loving the new experience!"
Left to Right: Porter's first road trip with Orlando Pride in Utah, Porter and her roommates at Spartak Subotica, a field Porter trained on with UDG Tenerife
Q: Of the different places you have lived so far overseas, which has been your favorite and why?
A: "I honestly don't think I can pick a favorite because I have loved every place that I have lived so far! They have all been so unique in their own ways. Serbia had amazing restaurants and coffee shops that my friends and I would go to all the time. Tenerife had amazing weather and views, along with great food, like fish. Santander is very different than both because I am in a bigger city now that has lots of people. There is amazing architecture here and there are lots of things to do. I also have great access to a train to venture outside the city as well!"
Left to Right: Porter at a Starbucks in Serbia, view of Subotica, at a men's game in Slovakia with her Spartak Subotica teammates
Left to Right: popular hiking spot in Tenerife, view from Porter's apartment in Tenerife
Q: What was your experience like with UDG Tenerife during COVID-19? Did you or the team have setbacks during this time with training, matches, etc.?
A: "When COVID first hit Spain, it was really scary because the country went into lockdown very fast and at the same time, the United States was closing their borders to Europe and many people were panicking to get back. At this point, we didn't know what was going to happen with the league because the lockdown was originally only supposed to be two weeks. With the chance of the league starting up again, the other Americans and myself decided to stay behind in case it did. We didn't want to risk going home and not being able to get back into Europe.
"Little did we know the lockdown was going to be 50 days. During those months, we were in a strict lockdown. We weren't able to go outside, besides to get groceries or for an emergency. Being stuck in an apartment for that long was hard. We did have meetings still and some trainings through Zoom, but for the most part we had to train on our own in our apartments. It took a lot of improvising! We had to go many weeks just training without any idea when the league was going to continue or if it was going to at all. Eventually, in May, the league announced the cancellation of the rest of the league. It was really unfortunate to hear about the rest of the season being cancelled and how COVID affected the league as a whole.
"At this point, I was going home without a contract but hoping to find a new team to sign with. After going home, it was very up in the air about what was going to happen with the next season. It was a waiting game and I just had to keep training and stay prepared for anything. After many months of waiting, we finally got word of what was happening with the season and I had a new team to look forward to playing with."
Porter training on the rooftop and in the garage of her apartment complex during the COVID-19 lockdown
Q: Looks like Racing Santander's season just started up. What differences are there playing during this time compared to past seasons?
A: "This season is set up differently than the rest. All the teams in the region are broken up into subgroups based on geographical location, reducing travel and the need to fly or stay in hotels a lot. Trainings are different in that we have to maintain distance off the field, wear masks all the time outside of training, and have weekly COVID testing before our games. Since our season is set up a bit differently with less games to play, we started a bit later this year than usual. We will still have our winter break in December, which is half way through the season.
"I think the biggest thing about this season is that there are a lot of precautions that we have to take and be aware of to make sure we can prevent anyone from getting sick to the best of our abilities. Everything feels different than last season, and there really isn't anything normal about our lives right now due to COVID."
Porter with her new team, Racing Santander
Q: Are there any comparisons you can make from your time between the teams you've played with? Likewise, what are the biggest differences between the organizations?
A: "There are a few differences between the teams and between the American league and European leagues. My experience at Pride was different than the others because it was a short-term contract, so I stayed with an amazing host family for two months. My contracts with Spartak and Tenerife were longer so I stayed in an apartment with other players, and ith Tenerife they actually were able to give us a car because Toyota was a sponsor.
"All three teams were very accommodating and did whatever they could to make transition to living there easy. As for the leagues, the NWSL is different than the European leagues in that the season is roughly from March until November and in Europe it is usually from August to May, with a break in between at Christmas. The big difference between the leagues are that there are a lot more teams in the European leagues that you play, while the NWSL is still new and expanding. There is also the Champions League in Europe which allows you to play really good teams in different countries.
"I think with training and everyday life, it's pretty different between my experience with Pride and in Europe. At Pride, I spent a lot of my day either at training, lifting, video or with the team. My normal schedule was from 8 AM to 2 PM or even a bit later. Here in Europe, in my experience, my days are a little more freed up because we usually just have training, while lifting and video is done more on our own. I think our trainings are pretty similar overall with the only difference being I have to translate more here in Spain."
Q: If you could describe your professional experience in one word, what would it be and why?
A: "I would 100% say adversity. I feel I have faced a lot of adversity throughout my career so far. Playing soccer professionally is really hard to do, especially abroad. I think that is why there is a lot of burnout from players year after year, because it's really hard! You have to acclimate to living thousands of miles from home, being up to a nine-hour time difference from family, experiencing a new culture, learning a new language, and on top of all of this finding your place within a team.
"Even after living in Spain for almost a year now, I'm still learning every day about either the culture here or how to be better for my team. I've experienced a lot of highs and lows throughout my career so far, I still am, and I will always have them. I just continue to learn how to fully enjoy those highs and then manage the lows, because they won't ever go away. I'm very lucky to have a great support system to help me out whenever I need it, and even though I say doing this is hard, I still love it so much and I wouldn't rather be doing anything else other than this."
Q: What's your most memorable moment so far in your professional career?
A: "My most memorable moment so far is playing Athletico Madrid in the Round of 32 of the Champions League at their home field and tying them 1-1. I feel like I experienced a whole new level mentally for myself that game, and I think it was the best game of my career so far. It was also a moment for me that I realized that I can play at this level and I shouldn't doubt my abilities to compete with these teams. I was also very happy to have my parents there to experience that with me as well. It was just a very proud moment for me and my team to have accomplished that."
In-game and post-game versus Athletico Madrid
Q: Do you have any short-term or long-term goals set out?
A: "Right now, my short-term goals are to take advantage of every game this shorter season to improve as a player in all my areas of weaknesses. Since COVID has happened we haven't played a league game since March, so I just want to really enjoy the opportunity to play again in a competitive environment with my team and win some games! For my long-term goals, I don't plan that far ahead for this career. I don't want to put a time frame on it or too much expectation on it. I just want to keep playing for as long as I continue to enjoy it and my body allows me to do so. I can say I don't plan on stopping any time soon. Even though I don't hold an expectation on my career, I do want to try and reach my highest potential."
Q: Looking back, how do you feel that playing collegiate soccer at NC State has helped you get to this point in your career?
A: "I honestly owe a lot of my success now to my NC State team. I think playing for such a great team in the best league in the country has allowed me to develop so much over my four years playing there. Being able to build a team from the ground up was an amazing accomplishment, and I think allowed me to grow as a player and a person. I was also able to play against some of the best players in the country, and those same players I have seen again in the professional world. I would not be the player I am now without my time at NC State."
Q: What's one thing that you miss about Raleigh and NC State?
A: "I miss Raleigh so much! I miss the food, like Cook Out and Flying Biscuit. I also miss the scenery there, like Lake Johnson and the great hikes around there. Raleigh has a great vibe and holds a very special place in my heart, and I have so many great memories living there in the city and at NC State. I had a great experience at NC State in pursuing my degree and collegiate athletic career.
"I think the biggest thing I miss from NC State though is my team. I love every single one of those girls and consider them my family to this day. They are all amazing people and are doing amazing things, and I am so glad to have played with them and know them. When you spend hours a day, every day with a group of girls for four years, you create a real bond with them."
Lake Johnson, one of Porter's favorite walking spots on Raleigh
Q: Any life updates not related to soccer?
"There aren't really any big updates outside of soccer right now besides I have been taking Spanish lessons for four months now, and am starting to get the hang of it! I also started a blog this past year called 'Mind Body Sport'. It's about my experience as a female collegiate athlete and current experience as a professional athlete.
"I have actually changed my diet since college and have been primarily vegetarian for a year now, with only eating fish every once in a while. I have found that since going vegetarian, I have felt a lot better on and off the field. Lastly, since I started traveling in Europe, I started collecting cat mugs from cities and countries I have visited (I am a true cat lady!). So far, I have mugs from Subotica, Belgrade, Bratislava, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife."
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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