Courtesy of University of Washington Veronica Perez, who was picked by St. Louis Athletica with the 37th pick in the 2010 WPS draft, had a standout career at the University of Washington and is a member of the Mexico national team.

A product of Crystal Springs Uplands School and the University of Washington — where she was the Husky’s team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year her junior and senior seasons — Perez’s goal was to become a professional soccer player.

Now that she was drafted, the work began to make the team. Saturday, she was told that she, indeed, made the cut and begins her rookie campaign April 11 when Athletica hosts the Bay Area’s FC Gold Pride.

“I had a feeling I would be drafted, but there’s always that doubt,” said Perez, 21, an attacking midfielder and striker. “I didn’t want to put a lot of pressure on myself, but I felt I had a good chance.”

Her soccer credentials show why she had a good feeling she would be drafted. After standout freshman and sophomore campaigns with the Gryphons, she skipped her final two years of high school soccer to play with her club team — national power Pleasanton Rage. Her efforts with the Rage earned her a scholarship to the University of Washington, where she was a four-time letter winner.

Before making the 32-hour drive from San Mateo to St. Louis for the opening of camp March 1, Perez had about six weeks to prepare for her tryout. She spent time as an assistant coach with Union Football Club in Palo Alto, which allowed her to train as well as coach.

“I trained with youth teams just to get touches on the ball,” Perez said. “I was out (training) twice a day, almost every day. (I would go) running in the morning, in the afternoon, I would go play soccer with my coaches. I was doing a bunch to get ready and get fit.”

On the first day of tryouts, Perez said there were only 11 to 14 players there — those who were battling for the few roster spots available. The returning and international players — who make up the bulk of the roster — would not show up for about a week. While she was a bit nervous in her first professional tryout, she realized she belonged.

“There was definitely a lot of nerves (that first day of tryouts),” Perez said. “But at the same time, once I went out there, it was still soccer — the game I’ve played since I was 5.

“I know what I’m doing.”

When the full squad showed up a week later, “It got really intense,” Perez said. “The caliber (of play) went up a bunch.”

Not surprising. A look at the Athletica’s roster shows a who’s who of international soccer: Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny and Lindsay Tarpley — members of the U.S. national team since 2003; Hope Solo — U.S. national team goalkeeper since 2004; Elaine and Daniela — members of Brazil’s national team; Eniola Aluko — a member of the England national team since 2004; Madelaine Edlund — member of Sweden’s national team since 2007; Aya Miyami — a member of Japan’s Olympic and national teams.

With such prestigious players on the team, Perez is doing her best to remember that it’s a game she’s played her whole life.

“It’s still soccer. It’s pretty much the same. [The national team players] are exciting to watch. They’re very good. I like playing with them,” Perez said. “I don’t want to be scared of anyone on the field. It’s fun to play with them because it makes you better.”

Besides, Perez is starting to carve out her international career as well. Last summer, she spent 10 days with the U.S. under-23 national team before deciding she would play with the Mexico national team, her mother’s homeland. In Mexico, she is already on the full national team roster and will earn her first “caps” — international appearances — when Mexico faces the U.S. at the end of the month — March 28 in San Diego and March 31 in Utah.

“It was definitely a tough decision to make,” Perez said. “I’m still young. Most of the Team USA girls didn’t get their break (with the full national team) until their mid 20s.

“I don’t know if I’m starting (against the U.S.) but I’m definitely going to be playing.”

When she returns to St. Louis, Perez will turn her attention full time to Athletica. The transition has been made a bit easier with the likes of Solo and Tina Ellerton, both former University of Washington alumnae. Even though both graduated before Perez got to Seattle, they have served as mentors for Perez, who is still feeling her way through the world of professional sports.

“They both called me on draft day. I can call or text them (whenever I have questions),” Perez said. “They’ve been helping me out a lot.”

Technically, Perez is part of Athletica’s four-person developmental team. All 18 spots on the regular roster were already filled, as was one of the developmental roster spots. But Perez knows that, with hard work, her time will come.

“I’m fresh out of college. I’m excited to be part of this team. I’m just excited to be playing with these players and getting better,” Perez said. “I’m just working my best. That’s the only thing that is going through my mind. Every day I’m going to improve. … As long as I keep doing that, I’m good.”