Izabella Gutierrez enjoyed a truly unforgettable experience this past week in Los Angeles.

The soon-to-be sixth-grader at Hidahl Elementary School escorted the United States Men’s National Soccer Team onto the field prior to the start of Thursday’s World Cup match against Turkey at SoFi Stadium.

Gutierrez walked hand-in-hand with Giovanni Reyna.

“It was a really cool experience,” she said. “I was nervous at first. Once I got on the field, I was fine.”

“The players smelled like cologne and mint,” Gutierrez added.

The Group D match, which USA lost 3-2 in stoppage time, was staged in front of more than 70,000 fans.

Gutierrez stood next to Reyna as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played over the public address system.

“He was locked in for the game,” she said. “He didn’t talk with me. After the national anthem, he started yelling Vamos (Go).”

Izabella watched the game from section 116 of the stadium.

“I was pretty close to the field,” she said. “I could see everything good. It was my first time being at a stadium. It was very loud and exciting in there.”

“It was a really close game,” Izabella added. “I wasn’t upset (USA lost). I was happy to be there to watch them. They tried their hardest.”

Izabella and Carlos each received a ticket for the World Cup game.

Carlos was seated in section 241.

The entire Gutierrez family was unable to attend the match due to the pricey cost of admission.

“My wife and other daughter watched from a restaurant and picked us up after the game,” Carlos said.

Gutierrez and 21 other youngsters were chosen to participate in the pre-game ceremony through the Quaker Player Escort Program.

Sponsor Quaker Oats provided each participant with an Adidas soccer kit, which included a bag, a jersey, a jacket, shorts, socks and shoes.

“It was a raffle through my work at Frito-Lay,” father Carlos Gutierrez said. “I entered in February and found out we won in April. When you enter the contest, you get to choose which stadium. I chose Levi’s and SoFi. Luckily, we got selected for SoFi. Only 250 people from throughout the United States were chosen (to serve as player escorts for the World Cup).”

“The most enjoyable parts were walking out with the soccer player and watching the game,” Izabella stated.

“She had to be there six hours before the game,” Carlos added. “A bus picked up her and other kids from a Frito-Lay facility out there. They practiced the walk for the ceremony, were given meals, and played in the green room where they had a foosball table.”

The USA-Turkey match was televised live on Fox and could also be streamed on Fox One, Fox Sports and Fubo.

Family members and friends watched Gutierrez walk onto the pitch during the pre-game ceremony

“They’re very happy for me,” she said.

Coincidentally, Gutierrez celebrated her 11th birthday eight days before the World Cup.

She’ll remember the moment of stepping onto the field at SoFi Stadium for the rest of her life.

“It’s a nice little gift,” Carlos said.

Gutierrez started playing recreational soccer at the age of six in Hughson.

She joined the Stanislaus Surf 12-and-under club team this past fall.

Gutierrez and her teammates compete against teams in the Elite Clubs National League.

“I have fun playing and making new friends,” she said. “I’d love to play in high school and college.”