Mia Bhuta Becomes First Indian-American To Represent USWNT At World Cup
As reported in NBC Chicago, Mia Bhuta made two types of history for the United States women’s national soccer team.
First, the 16-year-old midfielder became the first ever Indian-American to play for the USMNT at any FIFA World Cup after starring for the Stars and Stripes in the U-17 tournament on Tuesday.
Bhuta, who has dual eligibility since she was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and her father in Gujarat, India, is one of the USWNT’s promising upcoming products.
In poetic fashion, she made her debut against India’s U-17 team as the two sides are in Group A of the World Cup. However, India, the host nation, never stood a chance as the US poured on goal after goal in an 8-0 rout.
62' | First player of Indian descent to represent the USA at the World Cup AND she scores against the country of her ancestry. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/16Ao8U8Yaa
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 11, 2022
The second historical moment for Bhuta? She scored the eighth and final goal in the 62nd minute, making her the first Indian-American to also score for the nation at any World Cup. It was a magnificent finesse shot with her left foot from well outside the box that sailed into the upper left corner.
Mia Bhuta was born and raised in Mt. Lebanon. She made a sparkling debut in the Women’s U17 World Cup opening match of Group A round-robin play, with the United States Women’s National Team, in her father’s home nation in Bhubaneswar, India on Tuesday.
#MiaInTheMediaMixedZone | Hear from midfield Mia Bhuta after yesterday’s victory over India to open the #U17WWC pic.twitter.com/w42Fipesso
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) October 12, 2022
Bhuta, whose father was born in Mumbai and grew up in Gujarat before migrating to the USA at the age of 16.
“The feeling was incredible, and the crowd was amazing,” Bhuta said in the post-game interview. “It was something I’ve never experienced before. That goal was extra special to me. My grandfather couldn’t be here tonight because he just had bypass surgery, and he’s recovering in the hospital.”
The USA will now take on Brazil on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 a.m. ET (FS2) in the team’s second match of the group stage. Brazil beat Morocco 1-0 in its opening game of the tournament, meaning the USA sits atop Group A in the early going.
