In order to qualify for the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay, the United States embarked on a two-year cycle.

Part of that entails national team camps, with the most recent taking place in Portland, Oregon, from Aug. 20 to 27.

Menlo School junior Sophie Jones, a 5-foot-5 attacking midfielder on the San Jose Earthquakes Girls Development Academy, was among the 24 players selected to attend.

“U.S. soccer definitely has a distinct way in how they play and a culture that they want to create,” Jones said.

The 16-year-old is no stranger to the coaching staff, considering this was her sixth invite to such camps.

An initial foray with the women’s national team took place two years ago, in September of 2015.

“It’s definitely nice when you come back to see familiar faces,” Jones said. “And it’s really cool to have friends all over the country.” Like the Palo Alto Daily News Facebook page for neighborhood news and conversation from Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Redwood City and beyond.

Except, there was a twist this time around.

Turns out that England dispatched its U-17 national team for two international friendly matches.

“Everyone is amazing, so the speed of play and the atmosphere was really cool,” said Jones, who subbed into the second half of the 6-1 victory at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton on Aug. 23. “I had a really fun time.”

Andres Deza, who in April was hired by the Earthquakes as director of the club’s newly formed Girls Development Academy, which kicks off its first season this fall, is quite familiar with Jones.

“Sophie is a very creative player,” said Deza, who worked with her directly for a couple of years at their previous club, the De Anza Force. “She does things that are different and I’m pretty happy that U.S. soccer is able to recognize that. She’s been at a few camps and she’s been invited back. And I hope that she’ll make the final roster for the World Cup. She’s going to be in a lot of competition to try and earn a spot on that final roster with Coach Mark Carr, but I hope she makes it. I think she has a good chance.”

Among the players she looks up to are Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat trick in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, and Megan Rapinoe.

“Pretty much all the players on the women’s national team,” Jones said. “But also a big part of me is I like Premier League soccer, so Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard on Chelsea have been my idols from a pretty young age.”

Growing up, Jones played other sports, such as basketball and tennis.

“I love all sports,” said Jones, who was forced to turn her attention to soccer at age 13.

“I couldn’t do it all, so I was more focused on it at a later point. But I definitely still play with my friends basketball a lot.”

Are her friends aware of her skills on the pitch?

“It’s a pretty small school, so I’ve known at least half the grade since I’ve been in the sixth grade,” said Jones, who verbally committed to Duke in December. “A lot of them know that I play soccer and then on Instagram I like photos from camps and stuff like that. But I don’t really talk about it too much.”

Some of her classmates at least had to wonder why she missed the first week of school, or what she was up to.

This was basically her daily routine in Portland.

“We start off with some breakfast early in the morning and then go to training for probably and hour and a half, maybe longer,” Jones said. “And then we come back, I have time to rest. Then we train again and we have dinner and meetings and stuff like that. So it’s doable, but super fun because I just love playing soccer.”

Ready to play against England again on Saturday at Providence Park, home to the MLS’ Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns of NWSL, she got sick and instead watched the 6-2 victory.

Then, it was time to return home.

“A big part is when I come back, I feel really motivated to improve,” Jones said. “And the coaches are so good that you definitely take things away each time. I definitely learn a lot.”

“She has a bright future, for sure,” Deza said. “She’s a really nice kid, too. Very respectful and a quiet leader. A great teammate.”

One that’s ready for an invite to the October training camp, and eventually the World Cup Qualifying tournament in April.