During a casual soccer game beneath the Coronado Bridge in Barrio Logan, I was surprised to see
Christina Burkenroad.
It was summer 2019, just months before she became a prominent name in Mexican women’s soccer.
Instead of arriving with an air of celebrity, she blended in as just another player on that gritty concrete surface.
I recognized her from her time in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
On that warm June day, her skills and soccer intelligence were evident as she outplayed many men’s players.
Yet, I was unaware of her difficult beginnings and the struggles that came before her rise.
Nearly a decade before her stardom with Monterrey (known as
Rayadas), Burkenroad faced hardships. While in high school, she lived in a car by the beach, moving between hotels and friends’ homes as her single father battled mental health challenges and unemployment.
During those turbulent times, Christina often turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including drinking and theft.
She reflected on this period as “chaotic,” but despite the instability, one thing remained constant in her life: soccer.
“Soccer was my sanctuary, my safe place, the only consistency in my life,” Burkenroad told ESPN.
“Without it, I can’t imagine where I would be today.”
Today, Burkenroad is a celebrated player in Liga MX Femenil, the premier division of women’s soccer in Mexico.
As a standout for Rayadas, she’s also forged a deeper connection to her mother’s homeland, who passed away from ALS when Christina was just 4.
On the field, her scoring prowess speaks volumes. As the playoffs begin, Burkenroad is a key player, riding a wave of momentum after scoring two goals, including a last-minute game-winner, in her previous match.
But her journey is more than just statistics.
‘Worried about what I was going to eat … worried about where I was going to stay’
Initially, Burkenroad’s early life seemed idyllic, filled with beach visits and surfing with her dad.
However, their family dynamics changed profoundly after the loss of their mother.
Burkenroad noted, “My father struggled with depression.
The weight of raising a family on his own became overwhelming.”
Before long, they moved to North Carolina to live with relatives.
But her father longed to return to San Diego, and when they eventually did, their finances had dwindled.
Burkenroad described the eviction from their apartment when she was a junior, marking the beginning of their homeless period, which included living in their SUV.
“The money just ran out,” she recalls, leading to a challenging teenage existence.
Amid the turmoil, Burkenroad discovered solace in soccer.
She started playing various sports, inspiring by her older brother, and enjoyed soccer’s emotional release.
“It felt so natural,” she said.
When she began high school at Mission Bay, a math teacher alerted varsity coach Jorge Palacios about a passionate student eager to play soccer.
“I asked her about her soccer experience,” Palacios later recounted.
Despite her limited rec league exposure, she made the varsity team as a freshman, going on to be their leading scorer for four years.
Burkenroad thrived in the structured environment of high school soccer.
However, her financial struggles meant she often couldn’t afford the same opportunities as her teammates while keeping her situation a secret.
“I made choices to mask the reality of my life,” she admitted. “I wanted to play professionally and went to great lengths to pursue that dream, even as daily concerns for food and shelter consumed me.”
After a wake-up call prompted her to reassess her choices, she adopted the motto of “better every day” for motivation.
“I know what I want so badly, so I changed my habits. I began reaching out for help.”
Finding a home
Burkenroad recognized she couldn’t turn her life around alone and needed support.
Enter Stacey Haerr, her “angel on earth.”
“I was at a low point, and Haerr insisted I move in with her,” Burkenroad recalled.
Haerr, who had known Burkenroad from childhood, felt a deep connection and promised herself to help if she ever needed it.
They began to reconnect once Burkenroad returned, as Haerr often spotted her around town and sensed something was off.
During a vulnerable moment in her junior year, Burkenroad reached out to Haerr for help while carrying a bag of clothes.
Taking her in meant Burkenroad always had a stable home environment.
Haerr later realized Burkenroad had been shielding her struggles, including her homelessness, and provided the stability she desperately needed—complete with a bedroom and belongings.
As Burkenroad began to open up about her life, her story gained attention. The local newspaper featured her, leading to recognition from her coaches, who were shocked to learn about her struggles.
With increased community support, a donation fund was created, allowing Burkenroad to leave behind her past of theft.
On the field, she became a standout with an impressive 93 goals at Mission Bay, earning accolades as player of the year in her league twice.
Although her challenges affected her college aspirations, a local coach helped her secure a spot at Cal State Fullerton.
By her senior year, Burkenroad had earned multiple accolades, including All-West Region First Team distinction.
Haerr never doubted her potential, recognizing soccer as Burkenroad’s anchor.
“It was her passion, her everything,” Haerr emphasized.
‘She’s proof you can overcome things’
Although the professional landscape can be unpredictable, Burkenroad found stability after joining Rayadas in 2020.
In Mexico, her personal and athletic development flourished.
She expressed, “For the first time, I feel truly at peace. The turmoil that defined my earlier life has given way to comfort.”
After being drafted by the NWSL‘s Orlando Pride in 2016, Burkenroad soon realized she wasn’t prepared for the emotional demands of the league.
Although she performed well in practice, competing alongside global stars like Alex Morgan and Marta limited her opportunities, leading her to request a transfer in 2017.
She then spent a year in Norway at IK Grand Bodø, but struggled with the extreme conditions and her self-worth.
Moving to Czechia, she saw glimpses of success, earning Champions League minutes, only for her season to be abruptly halted by the pandemic.
In 2020, while scrolling through Instagram, Burkenroad received a life-changing message:
“Interested in playing in Mexico?” The stranger became her agent and opened the door to Rayadas.
At Monterrey, Burkenroad transformed her playing style. Adapting to a more technical league required her to improve her ball control while maintaining her pace. She became more patient in her role as a traditional No. 9, still flexible but now exceptionally skilled.
According to teammate Kat McDonald, “She’s composed and focused.
When she scores, her passion shows, but she doesn’t lose her cool on the field, remaining adaptable to the flow of the game.”
With three league titles to her name and another championship within reach, Burkenroad is also vying for a roster spot on the Mexican national team as they gear up for World Cup qualifications.
Reflecting on her journey, McDonald remarked, “It’s incredible how she’s maintained consistency despite her unpredictable upbringing.
She’s living proof that overcoming adversity is possible,” echoed Palacios. “She’s done it time and again.”
As Burkenroad achieves peace, she stays connected to her roots.
Whenever she visits San Diego, she meets her father, who is now in a better place.
Describing Burkenroad as her “chosen daughter,” Haerr feels fulfillment in her supportive role, while Burkenroad honors her mother’s legacy.
This year, for the first time, Burkenroad created an altar for Dia de los Muertos, placing a photo of her mother and a young Christina in the center.
With the support of her family, community, and soccer, she has established a stable life that her younger self would be proud of.
“I’ve grown to cherish a simple life,” Burkenroad shared. “In a loving relationship, I finally feel like I’m becoming the person I always aspired to be as a child.”