Emina Ekic embodies the immigrant success story. Her parents immigrated from Bosnia to Louisville, Kentucky in the early 90’s and decided to put roots down quickly. Emina played soccer for her school programs, but there were some limitations on more aggressive development. “There was no ECNL or anything like that…Kentucky is a small place.” And though she dabbled in multiple sports growing up, soccer was her family heritage. “My dad, my grandpa, my mom, I grew up watching all these people play [soccer], so growing up, that’s what I wanted to do.”

Home Sweet Home

But the limitations of Louisville’s soccer scene at that time didn’t stop her from blossoming and she continued her playing career at her local college, University of Louisville. She had always wanted to go to the school and her father encouraged it as a goal for her: “He’d always say, ‘if you train really hard, you can play at that level.’ And I always envisioned playing there.” While Louisville has a reputation as a college basketball mecca, Emina’s experience as a student left nothing to be desired. “When I signed, we had one of the best soccer facilities in the nation.” She shined for the Cardinals, winning multiple honors, including ACC Offensive Player of the Year in her final season at the university.

Few professional players have a development arc so tied to a single spot on the map, but Ekic is a Louisville homer through and though. “I only left my hometown recently. Up until 22, 23, I didn’t live anywhere else to play soccer. It was really cool experience. I think everyone wants to play closer to home…I’m so grateful for that experience.” From middle school to college and eventually to professional, her hometown saw it all.

Taking It to the Next Level

In 2021, she entered the NWSL draft and was picked 5th overall by her hometown’s expansion side, Racing Louisville. In her first season, she played in 15 matched for Racing and notably scored the first regular season goal in the club’s history. In 2022, she had even more involvement, making it onto the field for 19 of the team’s matches, but then a big loan pulled Emina from the town she had grown up in to a town on the other side of the world, Melbourne, Australia.

The move might seem like a surprise, both from a player and a club perspective. But while Louisville had been so key to her growth as a soccer player, the situation at Racing in her rookie season was intolerable. “It was very hard, very rough. We had a lot of issues that came out with my coach sexually harassing one of my teammates, this is what I came into as a rookie…there were good people and we had a great facility. But after that came out, it was hard for us to get our footing and for me personally.” The poisoned culture at Racing made the option of leaving a good one and Emina took the chance to restart her professional career.

With Melbourne City, Ekic really found her footing as a pro. Across two seasons, she had 12 goals and 5 assists in 27 matches. “I found that I fit a particular playing style, a more Europeanesque possession, ball at my feet sort of thing. I think that’s why I thrived.” But more than the coaching and the playing style, the move allowed her to reset her perspective on a sport she loved. “It was new refresh, a reset of my environment which helped me mentally clear my head.”

Returning Stateside

“Even though I enjoyed my time at Melbourne, it was difficult being away from my family and friends that long.” The time change and travel time made it difficult for Emina to keep in contact with the people she loved and missed. So regardless of the great situation with Melbourne City, she decided to find a professional landing place in the states, enter Spokane.

The USL Super League hadn’t been an option Ekic had considered when looking for a landing spot. “I hadn’t looked into it, I just wanted to be closer to home.” But Spokane’s assistant coach, Josh McCallister, reached out to her personally and she listened. “I never turn down an opportunity and I’m always open to a conversation.” That conversation advanced to contract talks and, as Ekic puts it, “here I am.”

The choice has been a rewarding one for Emina and so far she’s happy with the level of care given to the athletes in Spokane, which was a big priority for her, given her experience with Racing. “Obviously, the USL has other leagues, but the way they manage us is very professional…from the top of the USL to our local support staff, everything gets done.” And that situation is contributing to her success on the field. She’s shined on the field for Zephyr as a nailed-in starter on the wing. She even scored the first goal in club history. The second time she’s done that sort of thing.

Emina’s story is a heartwarming one: the daughter of immigrants, dedicated to her hometown, exiting a toxic club, finding redemption abroad, returning triumphant. Her play with Spokane this season has been transcendent at times, with her shining as the best player on the field. Sunday her squad will take on DC Power on the road, broadcast nationally on Peacock.

- Dan Vaughn

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