Storybook return for Calgary Wild forward Mya Jones

Mya Jones is always at her happiest on the soccer pitch.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old hasn’t been able to do much of that over the past year and a half.

Jones’s career was derailed after suffering a broken foot when she was with Toronto.

She says it hasn’t been easy getting back.

“It’s really hard,” said the Wild forward.

“I think any athlete can say injuries are the worst thing you can ever experience, especially one that takes you out for an entire year and a half. Mentally, I think it’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do through my career.”

Playing for her hometown team

Wild FC picked up Jones in the off-season after Toronto let her go.

That meant she would get a chance to play for her hometown team.

Jones says pulling on that Wild jersey was very special.

“I’ve said it a lot of times, but it was just a very emotional moment for my family to be in the crowd and watching me after such a long injury,” she said.

“It was just really special to have that game go the way it did.”

Storybook return

Jones is talking about the Wild’s game against the Montreal Roses on May 16.

She came off the bench in the 76th minute, and nine minutes later, she scored.

And Jones wasn’t done there.

Down 2-1 and in extra time, she would score again, helping the Wild earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Montreal.

She says she couldn’t have drawn it up any better.

“It was very storybook,” she said.

“I feel like a lot of people have said to me, ‘You must have felt amazing in that moment,’ and I really did. I think it was just an overall sense of gratitude after everything I’ve been through and the work I’ve put in behind the scenes. It just kind of came to fruition in that game.”

Big part of the team

Interim head coach Sinead McSharry says there’s no question the Wild are a better team with Jones in the lineup.

“She’s the full shining example of what a complete player looks like,” said McSharry.

“We’re just really excited and blessed that she’s been able to contribute so much in such a short period of time. So we’re looking forward to seeing how that develops over the next few months.”

In need of a win

It’s been a tough start to the year for the Wild.

They have just one draw in their first four games.

But Jones says the talent is there, and she believes they will be able to turn it around.

“For us, it’s just focusing on one game at a time and one week at a time,” she said.

“Getting that first win, and once we get that, I think it will turn around for us in the end.”

Jones and the Wild will try to pick up that first win of the season Sunday when they face Toronto.

Kickoff is at 2 p.m. at McMahon Stadium.