Cameron Silva is a homegrown talent with a chance to flourish on the national stage.

The Walter Woodward Elementary eighth grader was recently selected to participate in the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Girls National Training Camp in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 24-29. 

The six-day camp will feature the country’s top talent in the 2005 age group, including Silva, a versatile attacking player with an impressive resume. She is a striker and outside midfielder for her club, the nationally-renowned West Coast Wildkatz, but serves as an attacking outside fullback for the regional ODP team.

“It’s going to be competitive and there will be a lot of good players at my level,” said Silva, who will attend Manteca High in the fall. “I want to be able to make the national training camp roster and get a good experience out of it … even if I don’t make it.”

Silva has been a standout since she first laced up cleats. Raised in the Manteca Futbol Club system, Silva also played one season with Ajax in Modesto. She now stars for West Coast. The Wildkatz, coached by former national team member Troy Dayak, are ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 2 nationally. The Wildkatz have won 49 of their last 60 matches, outscoring their opposition 218-45 with Silva as a cornerstone.

While she would love to play soccer at the highest levels, collegiately and professionally, the 13-year-old Silva seeks only one thing from the beautiful game: “I love being able to compete against different players that have different styles of play,” she said.

In the last eight months, Silva has accomplished just that. She was invited to the ODP regional camp in June. There, she was selected for the regional team and earned a trip to Boca Raton, Fla. for an interregional tournament. 

The West team won two of its three matches and Silva earned an invitation to the national training camp.

“Her regional coaches love her because she makes an impact when she’s on the field,” her mother, Jen Silva, said in a text message. “And she can play anywhere on the field.”

Now she’ll get to test her skills against the very best in the country. Silva still pinches herself, because the opportunity seems surreal. 

“I’m surprised, but I’m happy that I’m able to be on the best in my region,” she said. “When I do events that are like regionals, I feel really nervous. There are a lot of 05 girls in my region that are also good, but to be one of the best is exciting.”

Silva’s passion for the game was sparked by watching her mother play indoor soccer. As her skill set and stature have grown, Silva has learned to balance the pressure and expectation with other hobbies and pursuits. 

Her favorite non-soccer pastimes? Video games and playing outdoors with her younger brother, Hayden.

Silva is a rising star, to be sure, but she’s still very much a homegrown talent.