12 Underrated NWSL Strikers and Where They Played Youth Club Soccer
The NWSL has so much talent, especially when it comes to strikers. There are big names like Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman, who have made themselves known by shining in both the NWSL and at the national team level.
Yet, many players who impact the turnout of games for their teams remain, and their talent should not be overlooked! Here are 12 underrated NWSL strikers and the youth soccer clubs where they got their start.
Ryan Gareis – Sockers FC
Versatile and integral to this season's success.@RyanGareis is our Young Player of the Year! pic.twitter.com/Q68cFODbBf
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) November 11, 2022
Ryan Gareis was the only player drafted by the Houston Dash in the 2022 NWSL College Draft. Gareis got her start playing with the youth club Sockers FC and played collegiately for the University of South Carolina before entering the draft. She has really grown into a player that the team can depend on, even winning the Young Player of the Year Award in the 2022 Houston Dash Team Awards.
Bethany Balcer – Michigan Fire
From NAIA to the Pros, Bethany Balcer has already made a splash in the professional ranks for OL Reign, but it all started for her at a small school in Michigan called Spring Arbor. @bethanybalcer @springarboru @OLReign pic.twitter.com/b1bXYbA9qB
— Next Level U Sports (@nlusports) February 10, 2021
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of big names playing for the OL Reign, but Bethany Balcer became a star quickly. The striker who got her start playing with the youth club, Michigan Fire, was the first NWSL player to come out of an NAIA university. Her hard work led her to win the 2019 NWSL Rookie of the Year award and a USWNT call-up in 2021.
Cece Kizer – Sporting Blue Valley
𝘌𝘮𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝘥 the moment 👑@cecekizer becomes the only player to score multiple goals in a match for the club.#KCBABY pic.twitter.com/ZDCd0DiRsN
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) April 20, 2023
Cece Kizer gave the KC Current a great start in the UKG Challenge Cup, scoring both goals in their recent 2-0 win against the Houston Dash. As a youth, she played with the club team Sporting Blue Valley, then played at the collegiate level for Ole Miss, with some USYNT appearances. Kizer led the team with seven goals last season and recently became the first player in team history to score multiple goals in a match for the club.
Amirah Ali – Winslow Tigers
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Former Rutgers forward Amirah Ali now plays for the San Diego Wave but got her start playing with the travel club team, the Winslow Tigers. Her coach was the father of none other than fellow NWSL striker Tziarra King. Ali adds to the incredible group of strikers playing for the San Diego Wave, bringing her college success and being in the perfect spot to learn from her teammates.
Tziarra King – Winslow Tigers
As mentioned, Tziarra King played club soccer for the Winslow Tigers with her father as the coach. She was instrumental while playing for NC State and was drafted in 2020 by the Utah Royals. King was traded to the OL Reign ahead of the 2021 season and has signed on to stay with the club through the 2023 season.
Riley Tanner – Michigan Hawks
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲: Riley Tanner
Be on the lookout for @RileyTanner_12!
Watch her highlights from @AlabamaSoccer 😎 pic.twitter.com/rlTu8L9GSL
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) January 20, 2023
Current Washington Spirit striker, Riley Tanner, spent her youth club days playing for the Michigan Hawks. She started her collegiate career with South Carolina and ended up playing for Alabama. The Washington Spirit drafted Tanner during the 2023 NWSL Draft, and she also received a call-up to the Panama National Team last month.
Jasmyne Spencer – Albertson Fury 90
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While Jasmyne Spencer is well-known for her entrepreneurial endeavors, she mustn’t be forgotten in the list of great forwards. Getting her start with the youth club Albertson Fury 90, the veteran striker is the only player for Angel City FC to have competed in the inaugural NWSL season. Her experience alone with several clubs and leagues gives her a unique advantage that not many other players have.
Alexa Spaanstra – Michigan Hawks
Another rookie who plays like a vet 🤩@alexaspaanstra is ready to take on the league pic.twitter.com/kLroE4eTNE
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) February 22, 2023
Like Riley Tanner, Alexa Spaanstra also played her club soccer days with the Michigan Hawks. During her club soccer days, Spaanstra was ranked number seven in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer. She was the tenth overall pick for the KC Current during the 2023 NWSL Draft. We will get to watch her grow and learn while also showing off the skills she has this season.
Paige Monaghan – PDA Clash
Way to go you PDA Kid 👍🏼😬🤘🏼👊🏼⚽️🇺🇸 https://t.co/FMF2ElsK7e
— PDA (@PDAGirlsSoccer) May 10, 2018
Paige Monaghan was the first player to enter the NWSL from Butler University. She spent her club days playing with PDA Clash before beginning to play collegiately. She earned a call-up to the U23 USYNT in 2018, then entered the 2019 NWSL Draft, where she was selected by Sky Blue FC, now Gotham FC. Racing Louisville signed her this season through 2025.
Penelope Hocking – SoCal Blues
Our ⭐️ of the Match with her first two professional goals 🤝 #brace pic.twitter.com/6mGYclN06T
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) April 16, 2023
One goal wasn’t enough for Penelope Hocking as her first professional goal. Instead, the rookie for the Chicago Red Stars recently scored a brace in their last game, becoming only the second player in the club’s history to score more than one goal in the first three appearances. Hocking played for the well-known youth club SoCal Blues, then played for USC and Penn State.
Ally Watt – Pride Predators 97
Your @Heineken_US Star of the Match: @allymwatt ⭐️#PrideOrDie pic.twitter.com/a9gNs7wnTz
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) April 20, 2023
After being traded from the OL Reign in the middle of 2022, Ally Watt has had a fresh start with her new club, the Orlando Pride. Most recently, she kept the Pride’s hopes alive, scoring to tie their last game against the North Carolina Courage. Before her professional and collegiate playing days, she played club for the Pride Predators 97.
Cheyna Matthews – United FA
Two words: Cheyna Matthews #ChiStars pic.twitter.com/jEyLyqHZs4
— Emily Anderson (@EmCAnderson) April 16, 2023
Cheyna Matthews has been in the NWSL since being drafted in 2016, taking time off to give birth in 2020. She played youth club soccer for United FA, where she helped lead them to a state cup win. After returning to the NWSL, she played for Racing Louisville FC before signing with Chicago Red Stars last month.
Make sure to watch the upcoming NWSL games and keep an eye out for these players. You won’t be disappointed in watching them play!
Featured image via Getty Images
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