Chasing greatness

Since arriving at ECU, Juliana Viera has established herself as a dominant force on the pitch.

She played a key role in ECU’s championship run in the 2024 American Athletic Conference Tournament, scoring the decisive penalty kick in the shootout victory over South Florida in the semifinals.

“I remember that since preseason, we were saying, ‘This is the year. This is ring season,’” Viera said. “We held each other accountable, held ourselves to high standards. That mindset led us to the championship.”

And last summer, Viera played for her home country, Uruguay, at Copa América Femenina, during their historic run to the semifinals, where they lost to Brazil.

“I don’t think you can put it into words. It’s huge. You’re representing your country doing the sport you love. It’s the highest honor,” she said. “There’s still room to grow, but at 23 years old, playing in Copa America against top players, it’s a realization of your potential. Mentally, it unlocks a belief in yourself.”

It’s all part of the journey for Viera. “When I came to the United States, I knew I wanted to play in Division I, but since my English wasn’t good enough, I had to go to the NAIA first. I told my coaches, ‘Hey, I’m gonna be here for a year, and then I want to go to NCAA Division I.’ They asked, ‘Are you sure?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I am. I’m confident,’” she said. “I finished the season, and ECU contacted me. They had my major and a good soccer program, so why not give it a chance? So I said yes.”

She describes her drive to improve as machine-like, and encourages others to strive for their dreams, too.

“Trust yourself in everything you do. In high school, when teachers asked about my plans, I said, ‘I’m going to the U.S., I’ll study there, play soccer and become a professional.’ It’s all about mental preparation, trusting yourself and committing fully to your decisions.”

Juliana Viera

Year: Senior
Major: Sports studies
Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay