As the second half of the season picks up, USC is determined to get a victory at Rawlinson Stadium while also celebrating Los Troyanos. This themed game makes the match different from any other.
Nyah Emerson is a freshman at USC studying Biochemistry and an avid attendee of the Women’s Soccer games. Emerson attends almost every home game at Rawlinson Stadium and, being Brazilian, this was more than just a soccer match for her.
“Celebrating Hispanic heritage to recognize the Hispanic community we have at USC helps shape our school into what it is today,” she said.
Los Angeles will bring lots of sunshine to this Sunday’s match, as Southern California is in the midst of a heat wave. USC hopes to bring the heat against the Indiana Hoosiers at 1 p.m. The Trojans have only one win so far this season.
The Hoosiers are currently on a five-game losing streak, meaning that both teams are eager for a win.
USC’s last home win was against New Mexico State at the end of August, which makes each home game more significant.
Not only is Sunday’s match important for the Trojan players, it is also equally as important for the fans because of Troyano Night. This celebration coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month as it celebrates Latine culture and community within the Trojan family.
“Los Troyanos gives Hispanic athletes a space where they can express their cultures on the field,” said Angie Cucufate, an active member of the Latinos in Medicine Club and a freshman studying Neuroscience at USC.
USC Athletics typically hosts dedicated Los Troyanos heritage games featuring custom promotional giveaways. USC Women’s Soccer is giving away a $20 package that includes a game ticket and a Los Troyanos hat, as indicated on the USC Athletics page.
Most athletic teams at USC celebrate this event. At previous Troyano nights, the atmosphere has been filled with food, and the Mariachi Los Troyanos de USC have even added their touch of music to the event.
“[Troyano night] excites me because it’s special seeing USC have a space where Hispanic heritage is celebrated, especially because we can show it through our sports”, said Emerson.
The Troyano Night is especially significant as there are a couple of notable players representing Latinidad on the Women’s Soccer team. Players like Jaiden Rodriguez and Alyssa Gonzalez are the heart of their squad. Senior Gonzalez is a defender, while sophomore Rodriguez plays midfielder. Both Latina student-athletes dominate on and off the field. In Gonzalez’s junior year, she was named to the Big Ten All-Academic team, an honor that highlights individuals who balance the heavy time demands of Division 1 athletics with high-level academic performance.
Being Gonzalez’s senior year, she has just a few games left with the team before embarking on a new chapter. In order for the Trojans to have a turnaround season, it is important they get back on track and secure victories over their next Big Ten opponents.
“Seeing Alyssa Gonzalez on the field pushes individuals to pursue similar achievements,” said Cucufate. “It gives students hope that their dreams are possible for Hispanic people like me.”
With a much-needed win on the line, this matchup against the Hoosiers signifies more than a conference matchup for the Trojans. This is an opportunity for USC to turn their season around and simultaneously celebrate Latine culture that continues to be a part of the Trojan family. As fans celebrate seniors like Gonzalez and the Los Troyanos festivities, the Trojans look to make Sunday’s match a memorable one.
Edited by Emma Kahn, Emily Ramirez and Lauren Worley.