12 Underrated NWSL Midfielders and Where They Played Youth Club Soccer
The midfield position is arguably the most demanding position on the field. It requires intense physical stamina and can be mentally draining. Midfielders do it all; they attack, defend, and essentially control the game with their passes and constant decision-making. There are several players in the NWSL that make being a midfielder look easy, like Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle, and Taylor Kornieck, to name a few. But beyond the big names, there are many more talented players in this position. Here are 12 underrated NWSL midfielders and where they got their start.
Dani Weatherholt – SoCal Blues
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A fan favorite for Angel City FC, Dani Weatherholt was selected in the first round of the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft. Weatherholt began playing club soccer with the SoCal Blues, where she was placed on the B-team following an injury. She remained on that team for five years, and even after being called up to the A-team midseason, she chose to stay with her teammates and coach to finish out the season. What a class act!
Olivia Van der Jagt – Eastside FC Red
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Only into her second professional season, Olivia Van der Jagt is signed on to stay with the OL Reign through the rest of this season. In her rookie season, she started a record high of 13 games for the club, the most among all players on the team. Before going pro, Van der Jagt played youth club soccer with Eastside FC Red and helped lead them to two Washington State Championships.
Paige Metayer – SoCal Blues
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Paige Metayer signed on with the Washington Spirit this past year and is already starting for the team. In her time with the club, she has started all sixteen regular season games she has appeared in and recorded a game-tying goal. Metayer played youth club soccer for the SoCal Blues and helped lead them to a Surf Cup title in 2017 and three consecutive ECNL National Playoffs.
Sophie Hirst – Crossfire Academy
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NWSL and Houston Dash rookie Sophie Hirst is showing the professional soccer world who she is this season. She has started in multiple games and is recording more playtime as the season goes on. The midfielder just scored her first professional career goal earlier this month in their game against the Orlando Pride. Hirst got her start playing for Crossfire Academy and led them to two consecutive top-three finishes in the ECNL Finals.
Joelle Anderson – De Anza Force
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Although the Houston Dash drafted Joelle Anderson back in 2021, she chose to play her senior collegiate season before signing with the team last year. Now into her sophomore season with the Houston Dash, she has become the squad’s starting center mid. Anderson played youth club soccer for ten years with De Anza Force and helped them place in the top three in three back-to-back ECNL Finals.
Yazmeen Ryan – Oklahoma Celtic
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Drafted in 2021 by the Portland Thorns, Yazmeen Ryan played her way to starting for the 2022 NWSL Champions. Earlier this year, she signed a three-year contract with Gotham FC after being acquired through a three-way trade with Angel City FC and the Thorns. Before becoming the powerhouse professional mid that she is, she started playing club soccer with the Oklahoma Celtic.
Frankie Tagliaferri – PDA
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When starting her professional career, Frankie Tagliaferri originally signed with the OL Reign but opted to play collegiately at Rutgers for her final year of eligibility. She ended up being acquired by the NC Courage through a discovery exchange, where she played her rookie season last year. She is into her optioned second season with the team. Tafliaferri got her start playing club soccer for PDA, where she won the 2015 ECNL National Title.
Kelsey Turnbow – SC del Sol
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Kelsey Turnbow was initially drafted in 2021 by the Chicago Red Stars but returned to play a fifth season at Santa Clara University. She ultimately was traded to the San Diego Wave, where she has been a welcome addition to an otherwise stacked team. Turnbow got her start playing club soccer for SC del Sol, where she was a two-year captain and scored 41 goals in one season!
Kayla Fischer – Cleveland FC
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As a 2023 NWSL Draft pick, Kayla Fischer is still a rookie in the professional game. However, you’d never know it after watching her in some Challenge Cup action, including starting and dominating in the Racing Louisville FC match against the Houston Dash. Fischer not only scored her first professional goal but she also was named Player of the Match. She played club soccer for eight years, of which she spent the last three with Cleveland FC, leading them to a regional championship and national semifinal.
Cari Roccaro – Albertson SC Fury
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Veteran player Cari Roccaro has been a consistent force in the Chicago Red Stars midfield since being traded over from Angel City FC at the start of the year. This season, she celebrated 100 regular season NWSL game appearances. Before playing collegiately for Notre Dame and turning pro, she played for several WPSL teams but started with the club Albertson SC Fury, which she helped lead to two state cup titles.
Lily Nabet – Real So Cal
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Not only is Lily Nabet the first Persian American to play in the NWSL, but she earned her first start for Angel City FC back in June. The LA native was drafted by her hometown team in 2022 after serving as the captain for Duke. Now into her sophomore season with the squad, she credits Cari Roccaro for mentoring her through the start of her professional career. In her youth, Nabet played club soccer for Real So Cal, where she qualified for U15 and U16 regionals.
Mikayla Cluff – La Roca FC
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Similar to Kelsey Turnbow’s route into the NWSL, Mikayla Cluff was drafted by the Orlando Pride in 2021 but chose to play an extra year collegiately before making her professional debut in 2022. She had a great rookie season and is now heavily relied upon in the Pride’s midfield. So much so that in March this year, Cluff signed on to stay with Orlando Pride through 2025. Before turning pro and becoming the most decorated player in BYU history, she played club soccer for seven years with La Roca FC.
The question to remember is: Where would we be without our midfield? So don’t forget to support these NWSL midfielders!
Featured image via @nwsl on Instagram
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