Paislee Farenzena is set for a Toronto soccer showcase after being nominated to the All-American Player ID Series
Soccer is a huge part of Paislee Farenzena’s life.
The 10-year-old member of the Sault Youth Soccer Club’s Electric Lightning U10 team has been nominated to attend the 2026 All-American Player ID Series from Sept. 11-13 in Toronto.
The event gives young boys and girls the opportunity to show off their soccer skills, learn more from coaches, and get involved in some competitive play.
“It’s really exciting to be nominated and show people what I can do. I hope to learn more. I’ll be learning skills from coaches who train elite athletes. I’m super excited to go to Toronto,” Paislee told SooToday.
She’s already been playing competitive soccer for five years.
As a member of the St. Basil Saints, Paislee’s team came in second at a Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board elementary school level soccer tournament in May.
She was named tournament MVP.
“I love playing soccer. I know how to play and I help my teammates learn how to play. It’s fun to play and I like competition. I like learning from watching the pros play,” Paislee said.
She named Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé of France and Spain’s Lamine Yamal as her favourite professionals.
As a member of the Sault Youth Soccer Club’s Electric Lightning U10 team, Paislee plays not only as a goalie but also as a forward.
“In the first half of the game she’s in the net,” said Paislee’s mother, Mel Farenzena.
“If the team is losing she’ll go out in the second half and score goals because she’s very strong with her kicks. If the team is losing she helps them win the game.
“She scores three goals or more per game.The other players get intimidated by her,” Mel said with a laugh.
Paislee said if she doesn’t continue as a player later in life, then being a soccer referee is an option.
“She told me ‘I want to tell people what to do,’” Mel said.
If Paislee does well at the All-American Player ID Series in Toronto in September, she could be chosen to participate with Canadian and American players in the Soccer Youth All-American Golden Cup that takes place from Dec. 18 to 21 in Round Rock, Texas, and Dec. 29 to Jan. 2 in Naples, Florida.
“It’s good to see Paislee recognized for her hard work and dedication to a sport she loves,” Mel said.
Paislee enjoyed watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June and July.
“She was watching all the games on TV and she was watching Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. She was wearing her Ronaldo jersey,” Mel said.
“When Ronaldo’s team was eliminated from the World Cup she cried. She came to a soccer game really upset. She’s obsessed with soccer.”
With such a passion for the sport, Mel said she can see Paislee becoming a professional.
“All parents say that, but a lot of other parents in the league have said that she’s really good for her age group.”
“I’m a very proud mom,” Mel said.