5 NWSL Players That Were Multi-Sport Athletes

It’s not uncommon for star athletes to excel in more than one sport. From basketball to track and field, these NWSL athletes brought their A-game to every sport at both the high school and collegiate levels. Let’s take a look at some of your favorite players who were multi-sport champs before they hit the soccer pitch.

Ally Watt

 

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Watt, a forward for Orlando Pride, was actually a track and field star in college. She won back-to-back state titles, was named the Track and Field Player of the Year in high school, and was named on the All-American watch list for the fastest 60-meter in the U.S. She then went on to be named captain of the Texas A&M collegiate soccer team.

Sophia Smith

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Growing up in a basketball family with a father who played at the University of Wyoming and a sister who was a star basketball player at Northern Colorado, it’s no surprise that Portland Thorns forward and NWSL’s Most Valuable Player in 2022 also played competitive basketball. As a freshman, she played for both the varsity soccer and varsity basketball teams.

Julia Dorsey

 

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NC Courage Defender Julia Dorsey was a two-sport athlete, playing both soccer and lacrosse at the collegiate level. She won the 2022 Lacrosse National Championship and was the sixth athlete at UNC to play both sports. She was drafted by NC Courage in the 2024 draft.

Claudia Dickey

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Perhaps there’s something in the water at UNC, as Seattle Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey also excelled as a multi-sport athlete. In college, she played soccer and basketball; in high school, she was named All-State in soccer and All-Conference in basketball.

DiDi Haračić

 

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Of course, we have to mention the goalkeeper for Angel City Football Club, DiDi Haračić, who is an avid surfer in addition to playing soccer. It’s a good thing she plays for Los Angeles, where has time to both save goals and ride wives.

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