In the picturesque northern corner of Europe, amid the green streets of ‘The City of the Sun’ – Šiauliai – Mexican-American striker Connie E. Caliz is making her way through A Lyga with the 20-time domestic champions FC Gintra. But her story starts thousands of miles away—on the sun-kissed pitches of California, where the only girl on the field was often the fiercest competitor.
“I got into football mainly because of my dad,” Caliz recalls. “He told me to pick between karate, basketball, or football—and since he played football, that’s what I chose.” Her earliest memories of the sport are tinged with struggle and grit: being the only girl among boys, getting picked on, and hearing her father’s voice pushing her to prove she belonged.
He told me to get up and show them I had just as much right to be there.
That relentless drive would carry Caliz through high school and into the professional ranks. But the decision to pursue football as a career didn’t come early. “Honestly, it wasn’t until halfway through high school that I started believing I could go pro,” she says. “There wasn’t all this social media then showing you the path to success. But I got called up to Mexico’s U20 World Cup camp and got to do Nike’s ‘The Chance’ USA with Mia Hamm—that’s when I knew I had what it takes.”
Her inspirations are a blend of flair and fire. As a young player, she idolized Juan Román Riquelme for his commanding presence and creativity as a midfielder. But it was Marta, the Brazilian icon, who truly shaped her vision of the women’s game. “She had tricks no one else had. I had the chance to play alongside her as a kid at a convention in Los Angeles, and she told me she saw potential in me. I’ll never forget that.”
Now at FC Gintra, Caliz is one of several international players helping elevate the Lithuanian league. Having joined from Viajes Interrías in Spain, she was drawn to the opportunity to chase Champions League dreams and continue her journey across the globe. “Not everyone gets to play in the Champions League—it’s a big deal. And I want to see the world, explore more countries. Lithuania offered both.”
On the pitch, she’s adapting quickly to the Lithuanian game—but not without some observations. “I like that we’re now playing on natural grass in summer, and it’s great you can find games on FIFA+. But I don’t like how soft the referees are with fouls. Players scream from the slightest touch and refs are too quick with the whistle—it breaks the flow.” If she could change one thing? “Cut down on the diving. Let the game be real.”
That passion for intensity and improvement extends to her views on the league itself. With Gintra long reigning unchallenged at the top, Caliz admits the lack of domestic competition is a concern.
To grow, we need consistent competition. You can’t get better if you’re not challenged regularly. It’s not healthy for only one or two teams to dominate.
Enter the Baltic Women’s Football League—a new battleground where Gintra faces tougher opposition. “We’ve already played RFS Women from Latvia, and they were strong. We ended in a tie, and it was our first official game together. The Baltic league is definitely more competitive than A Lyga, and that’s good for preparing us for Champions League.”
Beyond goals and games, Caliz carries a mission to inspire. Her message to young girls considering the leap to professional football is clear-eyed and encouraging. “It’s not impossible. I found my first team in Spain by messaging clubs myself—so many no’s before a yes. A dream isn’t something you try once and give up. It takes mindset, discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. But if you love it, and you have fun, you’ll find a way.”
From Los Angeles to Lithuania, Connie Caliz is chasing the game she loves—on her own terms, in her own way, one bold step at a time.
