Merritt Mathias
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Merritt Elizabeth Mathias | ||
| Date of birth | July 2, 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Birmingham, Alabama | ||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Seattle Reign FC | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2009 | University of North Carolina | ||
| 2010–2011 | Texas A&M | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012 | New York Fury | ||
| 2013–2014 | FC Kansas City | 42 | (2) |
| 2015– | Seattle Reign FC | 20 | (2) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2006–2007 | United States U-17 | ||
| 2011 | United States U-23 | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of June 30, 2013 (UTC). | |||
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. She previously played for FC Kansas City.
Early life
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.[1]
University of North Carolina/Texas A&M University, 2010–2011
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.[2] 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.[3]
Playing career
Club
New York Fury, 2012
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
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.[4][5][6] 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.[7] Kansas City finished the regular season in second place with a 11-6-5 record and advanced to the playoffs.[8][9] They were eliminated in the semifinals after being defeated 3–2 by Portland in overtime.[10]
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.[11] Mathias started in 18 of the 22 matches in which she played.[7]
Seattle Reign FC
In November 2014, Mathias was traded to Seattle Reign FC in exchange for Kate Deines and two 2015 draft picks.[12][13]
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.
Honors and awards
Team
with FC Kansas City:
- NWSL championship: 2014[14]
with Seattle Reign FC:
- NWSL Shield (regular season winners): 2015
- NWSL Championship Runners Up: 2014, 2015
References
- ↑ "Merritt Mathias". University of North Carolina.
- ↑ "Texas A&M player profile".
- ↑ "Merritt Mathias". FC Kansas City. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- ↑ "A&M has two selected in NWSL draft".
- ↑ "Rundown of FC Kansas City's Supplemental Draft Picks". NWSL News. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ↑ "First NWSL game is key, but lasting is the goal". ESPN. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- 1 2 "Merritt Mathias". SoccerWay. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Standings". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- ↑ "FC Kansas City Clinches Playoff Berth". FC Kansas City. August 5, 2013.
- ↑ "NWSL Semifinal Recap: Portland Thorns FC 3, FC Kansas City 2 (OT)". Portland Thorns. August 24, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- ↑ Farley, Richard (September 1, 2014). "FC Kansas City upset Seattle Reign to win title as NWSL continues ascent". The Guardian. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Reign Deal Deines, Get Merritt Mathias From KC". Sounder at Heart. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (November 12, 2014). "Reign trade Deines to FC Kansas City for Mathias". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- ↑ "FC Kansas City Earns 2014 NWSL Championship". FC Kansas City. August 31, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.