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Merritt Mathias

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Role
  
Soccer player

Playing position
  
Midfielder

Height
  
1.68 m


2010-2011
  
Texas A&M

Current team
  
Seattle Reign FC

Name
  
Merritt Mathias

Position
  
Forward


Full name
  
Merritt Elizabeth Mathias

Date of birth
  
(1990-07-02) July 2, 1990 (age 25)

2008-2009
  
University of North Carolina

Similar People
  
Beverly Yanez, Haley Kopmeyer, Erika Tymrak, Keelin Winters, Jess Fishlock

Place of birth
  
Birmingham, Alabama

Goal of the week nominee merritt mathias week 1


Merritt Elizabeth Mathias (born July 2, 1990) is an American soccer forward currently playing for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for FC Kansas City.

Contents

GOAL: Merritt Mathias gives the Courage a 2-0 lead


Early life

Merritt Mathias An Inside Look at the Seattle Reign Kit Unveiling Prost

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Mathias attended and played for Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham. Mathias was one of the top-ranked recruits in the nation according to Soccer Buzz Magazine. She was a Parade Magazine high school All-America selection in 2007 and the 2006 and 2007 National High School Coaches Association All-America.

University of North Carolina, Texas A&M University, 2008–2011

Merritt Mathias PostMatch Press Conference Merritt Mathias Reign FC

Mathias attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she played for the Tar Heels for two seasons in 2008 and 2009 before transferring to Texas A&M University where she majored in Agriculture leadership and development. During her first season with the Aggies, she started in 20 matches and scored nine goals – third best on the team. She was named to the All-Big 12 first team and the Big 12 All-Newcomer team. She was also a two-time Big 12 Player of the week. During her senior year, she started in all 24 matches and scored eight goals, including three game-winners. She ranked second on the team in assists with 11 and led the Big 12 Conference in all games with 93 shots on the season while ranking second in shots per game at 3.88. She ranked third in assists at eleven and third in assists per game at 0.46. Mathias ranked second in Top Drawer Scocer's Big 12 Top 20 Player Rankings and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team as well as the Big 12 All-Tournament Team. Mathias ended the season ranked at number 17 nationally in total assists was number 35 for assists per game.

New York Fury, 2012

Merritt Mathias Merritt Mathias suspended for next three games Sounder At Heart

Following the folding of the WPS, Mathias signed on to play with the New York Fury of the WPSL Elite.

FC Kansas City, 2013–2014

Merritt Mathias Kate Deines Equalizer Soccer

Prior to the start of the National Women's Soccer League's inaugural season, Mathias was selected 22nd overall in the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft by FC Kansas City. During the 2013 season, Mathias started in 20 of the 23 matches in which she played. She scored two goals: one against the Portland Thorns on June 30 resulting in a 2–0 win for Kansas City and the second in the ninetieth minute against Boston Breakers on July 24. Kansas City finished the regular season in second place with a 11–6–5 record and advanced to the playoffs. They were eliminated in the semifinals after being defeated 3–2 by Portland in overtime.

Merritt Mathias Womens pro soccer Seattle Reigns Merritt Mathias suspended by

During the 2014 season, Mathias helped FC Kansas City finish second in the regular season standings with a 16–6–2 record and ultimately win the league championship after defeating first place Seattle Reign FC 2–1. Mathias started in 18 of the 22 matches in which she played.

Seattle Reign FC, 2015–present

Merritt Mathias VIDEO Seattle Reigns Merritt Mathias suspended for one game

In November 2014, Mathias was traded to Seattle Reign FC in exchange for Kate Deines and two 2015 draft picks. During the 2015 season, Mathias started in 19 of the team's 20 regular season games and recorded 1,480 minutes on the pitch. During a match against the Washington Spirit on May 2, she scored the game-winning goal in the 48th minute helping the Reign win 3–1. During a match against the Houston Dash on August 12, she scored an equalizer in the 22nd minute. The Reign defeated the Dash 2–1 and earned a berth to the playoffs. Mathias served two assists throughout the season. The Reign finished the regular season in first place clinching the NWSL Shield for the second consecutive time. After advancing to the playoffs, Seattle faced fourth-place team Washington Spirit and won 3–0, advancing to the championship final. Seattle was ultimately defeated 1–0 by FC Kansas City during the championship final in Portland.

During the 2016 season, Mathias made 17 starts in her 19 appearances for the club. She scored the club's lone goal (a header goal) during a 2–1 loss to Sky Blue FC on April 2017, the club's first loss at home in 24 games. During the first few months of the season, a number of offensive players became unavailable due to injury including Manon Melis, Jess Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe. Seattle finished the regular season in fifth place with a 8–6–8 record, narrowly missing a playoff spot by two points.

Returning to the club for the 2017 season, Mathias scored a goal in the 39th minute in a match against the Portland Thorns FC. After the match, she was fined and suspended three matches for an incident with Emily Sonnett.

International

Mathias has extensive experience at the youth national team levels having played on the U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-23 teams. In October 2016, Mathias was called up to camp for the United States women's national soccer team.

Honors and awards

with FC Kansas City:

  • NWSL championship: 2014
  • with Seattle Reign FC:

  • NWSL Shield (regular season winners): 2015
  • NWSL Championship Runners Up: 2015
  • References

    Merritt Mathias Wikipedia