Zjada “Z” Baydass (born around 2002) is a Palestinian-American midfielder who plays for the Palestine women’s national football team. Blending U.S. youth academy experience with fierce national pride, she is steadily forging her path toward becoming a midfield catalyst for her country.
Early Life & Dual Identity
Raised in Washington state, Zjada grew up playing recreational soccer before advancing through competitive youth systems. She balanced academics and sport—playing for OL Reign Academy and Liberty High School, where she also excelled academically and joined the National Honor Society at Bellevue College’s Running Start program.
Club and Academy Highlightes
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OL Reign Academy: Joined in mid‑2021 after success in the Adidas Beaverton Cup.
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Highline College (2022–23): Competed at collegiate level in Washington.
Her development in U.S. settings honed her technical ball control, vision, and tactical ability in midfield.
National Team Breakthrough
Youth to Senior Journey
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April 2021: Called up to the Palestine U‑19 squad.
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May 2023: Became a member of the senior national team.
U‑23 & Youth Competitons
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Played in Asian U‑20 qualifiers and U‑23 camps—gaining international tournament exposure.
Playing Style & Strengths
Zjada is a well-rounded midfielder known for:
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Ball control & composure: Keeps possession under pressure with calm technique.
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Passing vision: Sharp short-to-mid range distribution to link the field.
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Work ethic & aggression: Covers ground, presses opponents, and displays competitiveness.
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Academic-athletic balance: Combines National Honor Society scholarship with consistent team performance.
She brings discipline, intelligence, and dynamism—a midfield force poised to control tempo.
Notable Milestones
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Joined OL Reign Academy (2021) and Highline College (2022–23).
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Represented Palestine U‑19 (2021) and became a senior national team regular (2023).
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Member of the U‑23 national team and participated in continental qualifiers.
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Recognized as a student-athlete in the National Honor Society, showing dedication on and off the field.
Future Outlook & Ambitions
Zjada aims to:
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Establish herself as a starting midfielder for Palestine in AFC and WAFF tournaments.
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Balance interests in collegiate soccer and advancing further within the national squad.
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Become a role model for Palestinian youth—showing that education and sport can progress side by side.
Conclusion
With technical skill, tactical insight, and unwavering spirit, Zjada Baydass embodies the potential of Palestinian women’s football. Her experience in U.S. systems, early international exposure, and strong academic foundations set the stage for a compelling international career. As she continues to grow, she stands to play a central role in shaping Palestine’s midfield identity—on the pitch and in the classroom.
