Where the New Age of the USWNT Played Club Soccer
Between winning the CONCACAF Women’s Championship and qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Olympics, the USWNT has been keeping busy lately. If you’ve kept up with the USWNT matches, or just recent news about the women’s team in general, you’ve definitely noticed some fresh faces. We’re in a new age of USWNT soccer, and it’s been fun watching the latest team additions play. While many are quickly making names for themselves, let’s look at the youth club soccer teams they started in.
Naomi Girma – California Thorns FC
Before dominating at Stanford and becoming the 2022 number one overall draft pick, Naomi Girma played club soccer for the CV Crossfire until the team dissolved. She also played for De Anza Force and California Thorns FC, an ECNL team.
Taylor Kornieck – San Diego Surf and Las Vegas Premier
While playing for the San Diego Surf, an ECNL club, Taylor Kornieck was the top goal scorer in the Southwest Division of the ECNL and third in the nation. Growing up in Henderson, Nevada, she also played for Las Vegas Premier, another ECNL team. Additionally, Kornieck captained the Nevada Olympic Development Program team and went on to play for the USYNT under-18, under-19, and under-20 levels.
Ashley Sanchez – SoCal Blues
Ashley Sanchez grew up in Southern California and played for three different club teams. Before her professional years, Ashley Sanchez played for Santa Anita SC, Legends FC, and the elite SoCal Blues. While playing for the SoCal Blues, Sanchez was called up to the U17 U.S. Women’s Youth National Team for the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, where she was awarded the Golden Ball award for best player.
Kristie Mewis – Scorpions SC
Along with her sister, Kristie Mewis played for the youth club Scorpions SC out of Massachusetts, where she grew up. She won four state championships and advanced to one regional final with the club. Mewis played for the Region I ODP team for four years and played for the USYNT under-17 team in 2008. Scorpions SC now offers five levels of play, all the way up to a UWS League One team.
Sophia Smith – Real Colorado
Like her USWNT teammate Mallory Pugh, Sophia Smith played club soccer for Real Colorado. Coincidentally, she played for the club with friend and fellow NWSL player Jaelin Howell. Smith played for Real from 2014 to 2018, and in 2017 she was awarded the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. The club consistently ranks in the top 20 clubs in the nation and competes at many levels of play.
Alana Cook – Match Fit Colchester
Formerly a Stanford Cardinal and currently a defender for the OL Reign, Alana Cook first played club soccer with Match Fit Colchester out of New Jersey. While with the club, they won the 2013 US Youth Soccer National League title and went three years without losing to another club team in the New Jersey area.
Emily Fox – FC Virginia
The 2021 number one overall draft pick first began her soccer career with The Saint James FC Virginia in the Girls Academy League, where she played for six years. While playing for the club, Emily Fox was spotted by the UNC head coach, which led to her recruitment. The club is known nationally for placing its players into college soccer programs.
Casey Murphy – PDA Slammers
Now a reliable goalkeeper for the USWNT, Casey Murphy played club soccer for the PDA Slammers in the ECNL out of New Jersey. She was the number 18 overall player out of New Jersey and went on to play for Rutgers University. Tobin Heath was also a former PDA player; she played for the 2003 PDA Wildcats team.
Featured image via @uswnt on Instagram
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