‘It doesn’t matter where you come from’: Utah’s Taylor Booth ready to chase Olympic soccer gold in Paris

EDEN, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Just an hour’s drive outside of Salt Lake City is Eden, Utah — a small farm town with a population of just over 800 people. It’s also the birthplace of one of Team USA’s newest Olympians.

Taylor Booth, 23, will be one of just 18 players representing the Stars and Stripes in Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. It will be the first time the United States Men’s Soccer Team will participate in the Olympic tournament since 2008.

Booth was just seven years old when that happened. He said he doesn’t remember watching U.S. stars such as Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley compete for a medal, but he was sure it was on in his house.

“I grew up in a soccer family. My mom and dad both played in college. I have three other brothers, so as long as I can remember we were always kicking a ball around whether it was inside or in the backyard,” said Booth.

Booth knew from a young age he wanted to play professionally. At just 14, he moved out to chase his soccer dreams. By 16, he had signed with Germany’s Bayern Munich — one of the biggest teams in the world. Now at the age of 23, he is playing for FC Utrecht in the Netherlands.

He said it’s been a challenge being away from home and away from all of his family and friends. While they were all living normal high school lives, he was halfway around the world in a dorm, waking up to train. But his love for the beautiful game and the support from his family through social media and FaceTime calls helped push him through.

“It’s important to call and talk with your family and of course, they come and visit me as much as they can as well,” said Booth, adding, “I’ve been all over the world and seeing new cultures and experiencing new places while playing the game that I love is especially special.”

His soccer career is now taking him to France. While he has played for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team before, competing in the Under-17s FIFA World Cup, Booth said he is excited to be able to call himself an Olympian.

Booth called it an honor to be one of the athletes to represent Team USA in the Olympics.

“It’s a different feeling when you’re playing for your country instead of your club. Especially at the Olympics,” Booth said. “There are so many people who will be watching these games that aren’t necessarily soccer fans. Everybody will be tuning into these games. I think that’s something that is special for the U.S. and it’s special for us to be able to bring over more fans and support us as well.”

And for all the aspiring Olympians, the boy from Eden, Utah said it doesn’t matter where you come from.

“It’s a little farm town, you know? It’s not a typical place people would think a professional soccer player would come from,” said Booth. “As long as you have those dreams and do what it takes to get there and achieve them.”

Booth said there will be times when it feels like you deserve to be starting or playing, getting more minutes in your sport but at the end of the day it’s the coach’s decision. He said the best thing to do is focus on training and working as hard as you can.

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