Throughout my life, I have been to dozens of soccer matches, whether it was at the high school level or to a professional game in Mexico.

But there is nothing quite like seeing your national team play in a famous stadium to kick off a tournament.

There is nothing like tailgating in the parking lot hours before the sold-out match that will consist of you being on the edge of your seat all 90 minutes and screaming in anger when your team shoots wide.

Recently, I got to attend my first international competition when the Gold Cup came to Southern California and I finally had the opportunity to attend. I'm usually someone who gets really excited for sporting events in general, but I was buzzing about this one.

From the moment I was getting ready for the tailgate and game at home, I was bouncing off the walls. Getting to experience a national team game is something you hear about until you get to experience it yourself. You hear everyone's own story from their first game and then once you do it, you get it.

Personally, I believe that the most beautiful part of sports is when the anthems are played, especially with a packed stadium where you can hear the lyrics ringing out. I'm not originally from Mexico, but both of my parents are and even though they weren't there at the game with me, when the anthem came on, I proudly put my hand over my chest as my parents would.

Luckily for me, I went to a game that had my team winning 7-0, which meant that I HAD to lose my voice because that is what you have to do when your team scores a lot.

From the flying beer to the hugs with random strangers when a goal hit the back of the net, everything can quickly make you fall in love with the game. Or it can even make you realize just how big of a role it plays in your life.

It really hit me just how amazing this fanbase is when everyone started jamming out to some Spanish bops at the restaurant we were eating at after the game. Everyone was tired from cheering and screaming for the seven goals, but there we were just singing our hearts out while stuffing our faces with fries.

If you allow it to, sports can give you this high that put you on a Cloud Nine and when you have experiences like seeing your national team play, you know that it will be a memory that will stay with you for a long time.

And even though it was my first national team match, I can almost guarantee that you will find me at the closest one to me next time.