Midge Purce: On and Off the Pitch
Margaret “Midge” Purce is not only a soccer player but a role model and advocate. Purce plays forward for the Gotham FC and is a member of the USWNT.
Known for her versatility, Purce has played several positions throughout her soccer career. Purce played attack in college, was initially listed as a defender for the USWNT, and debuted in the NWSL as a right-back before moving to forward.
The College Years
Midge Purce played collegiate soccer at Harvard University (2013-2016), scoring 49 goals and tallying 12 assists in 69 games. Purce earned Rookie of the Year and won Ivy League Player of the Year twice.
Going Pro
In 2017, the Boston Breakers selected Purce with the ninth pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. Purce appeared in 22 matches (13 starts) during her rookie season. From 2018 to 2019, Purce played for the Portland Thorns, scoring eight goals in 41 games (34 starts).
In 2020, the Breakers traded Purce to the Sky Blue, later known as the NJ/NY Gotham FC. In 20 games with NJ/NY Gotham FC, Purce tallied ten goals and two assists. In 2021, Purce signed a two-year contract with Gotham FC.
The International Game
Purce received her first call-up to the United States women’s national team for the 2017 Tournament of Nations. The following year, Purce earned her second call-up to the national team for a pair of friendlies against China PR. Unfortunately, Purce sustained an ankle injury in training camp.
In November 2019, Purce played in her first match for the USWNT, at right-back, in their friendly against Costa Rica. In 2021, Purce played forward and scored her first senior national team goal against Colombia.
More than Soccer
No doubt, Purce has made her mark on women’s soccer. However, Purce’s impact on society is prodigious.
At Harvard University, Purce was active in the Race and Ethnicity Program. In addition, Purce co-founded the Black Women’s Player Collective, which focuses on advancing opportunities for black girls in and out of sports.
Purce’s mission is to elevate the image, value, and representation of Black women as athletes and business leaders. For her efforts, Purce was nominated for the inaugural Good Morning America Inspiration List: Who’s Making Black History Right Now.
During a visit to the White House, Purce eloquently expressed her opinion on women and sports to the First Family. “I’ve spoken about equal pay in formal settings such as this and informal exchanges. Often, I’m resisted with declarations like there just isn’t enough interest in women’s sports. My response is always this: ‘You would never expect a flower to bloom without water, but women in sport — who have been denied water, sunlight, and soil — are somehow expected to blossom. Invest in women, then let’s talk again when you see the return.'”
With a relentless commitment to equality, equity, inclusiveness, and social justice, Purce is a role model of the highest caliber.
Featured image via Getty Images
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
