Ella Masar

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ella Masar

| image = Ella-Masar-Houston-Dash-In-Game.jpg

| caption = Ella Masar playing for the Houston Dash in 2015

| fullname = Ella Copple Masar{{NFF}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|04|03}}

| birth_place = Urbana, Illinois, U.S.

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=5}}

| position = Winger/Defender

| currentclub = Chicago Red Stars (assistant)

| collegeyears1 = 2004–2007

| college1 = Illinois Fighting Illini

| years1 = 2004

| clubs1 = Windy City Bluez

| caps1 = 1

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2005–2006

| clubs2 = Chicago Gaels

| caps2 = 16

| goals2 = 10

| years3 = 2007

| clubs3 = Vancouver Whitecaps

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2008

| clubs4 = Washington Freedom

| caps4 = 7

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2008

| clubs5 = Team Strømmen

| caps5 = 9

| goals5 = 4

| years6 = 2009–2010

| clubs6 = Chicago Red Stars

| caps6 = 38

| goals6 = 8

| years7 = 2010

| clubs7 = LSK Kvinner FK

| caps7 = 6

| goals7 = 3

| years8 = 2011

| clubs8 = magicJack

| caps8 = 16

| goals8 = 4

| years9 = 2011–2012

| clubs9 = Paris Saint-Germain

| caps9 = 17

| goals9 = 6

| years10 = 2013

| clubs10 = Chicago Red Stars

| caps10 = 20

| goals10 = 3

| years11 = 2014–2015

| clubs11 = Houston Dash

| caps11 = 37

| goals11 = 5

| years12 = 2016–2018

| clubs12 = FC Rosengård

| caps12 = 39

| goals12 = 26

| years13 = 2018–2019

| clubs13 = VfL Wolfsburg

| caps13 = 19

| goals13 = 4

| totalcaps =

| totalgoals =

| nationalyears1 = 2007

| nationalteam1 = United States U-21

| nationalcaps1 = 12

| nationalgoals1 = 2

| nationalyears2 = 2008–2009

| nationalteam2 = United States U-23

| nationalcaps2 = 8

| nationalgoals2 = 3

| nationalyears3 = 2009

| nationalteam3 = United States

| nationalcaps3 = 1

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2022–2023

| managerclubs1 = Kansas City Current (assistant)

| manageryears2 = 2023–

| managerclubs2 = Chicago Stars (assistant)

}}

Ella Copple Masar (formerly Ella Masar McLeod; born April 3, 1986) is an American-Canadian former professional soccer player who is currently an assistant coach for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).{{Cite web|title=Ella Masar - Kansas City Current|url=https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/team/ella-masar|access-date=2022-02-23|website=www.kansascitycurrent.com|language=en|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721005429/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/team/ella-masar|url-status=dead}} She previously played for FC Rosengård, Houston Dash, Chicago Red Stars, Paris Saint-Germain, magicJack, and VfL Wolfsburg. She made one appearance for the United States national team in 2009.

Early life

Born in Urbana, Illinois, Masar attended Urbana High School, where she holds the school record for most goals in a season (40) and career (92).{{Cite web|url=https://fightingillini.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/ella-masar/1228|title=Ella Masar - 2007 - Soccer|website=University of Illinois Athletics|access-date=July 28, 2022}} Masar also played club soccer for Little Illini Soccer Club (now Illinois FC).{{cite web|url=http://www.illinoisfc.com/ellamasarclinic|title=SportsEngine|website=Illinoisfc.com}} Her mother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when Masar was a teen, and her parents later divorced. Her father died from a heart attack in October 2011 while Masar was playing in France.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbwghZMLy8U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/RbwghZMLy8U |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Ella Masar Unplugged: Loss, Love and Life|last=Purpose2Play.com|date=July 22, 2015|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

=University of Illinois=

Masar enrolled at the University of Illinois in 2004. She was a college walk-on{{Cite web |url=http://archives.fca.org/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=43C1CA01-C29A-EE7A-EEDC845D15B2BA6A |title=Sharing the Victory Magazine - vsItemDisplay |access-date=August 23, 2015 |archive-date=August 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815074031/http://archives.fca.org/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=43C1CA01-C29A-EE7A-EEDC845D15B2BA6A |url-status=dead }} and played for the Fighting Illini for four years. In 2006, she was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and NSCAA Second Team All-American. During Masar's senior year, she was named All-Big Ten First Team and Lowe's All-American First Team. Over the course of the 2007 season, Masar tallied 12 goals and 3 assists. Throughout her career, Masar compiled a total of 20 assists—the second most in the program's history—and 27 goals.

Club career

=W-League=

Masar started to play in the W-League in 2004 with Windy City Bluez. She appeared in just one game for the team, playing the full 90 minutes.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

In 2005, Masar switched to the Chicago Gaels, for whom she appeared in seven games for (650 minutes). She scored 9 goals and added an assist. She stayed with the team the following season and played in 9 more games (791 minutes). In 2006, she scored 1 goal and 1 assist.

Vancouver Whitecaps marked the next stop for Masar, who played for the Canadian team in 2007. She appeared alongside Cori Alexander, Tiffeny Milbrett, Jill Oakes, and McCall Zerboni. She played in eight games (632 minutes) and scored one goal and assisted on five others.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

Masar moved to Washington Freedom in 2008, where she appeared in seven games (321 minutes) and scored three goals, while helping the Freedom to a first-place finish in the Northeast Division.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

=Team Strømmen, 2008=

After the 2008 W-League season, Masar played in Norway with Team Strømmen for part of the 2008 Toppserien. She scored four goals in nine Toppserien appearances. The team advanced to the Norwegian Cup final, where they lost to Røa IL, 3–1. Masar scored Strømmen's sole goal in the final.{{cite web|title=Masar Takes the Road Less Traveled|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/47/masar-takes-the-road-less-traveled|website=USSoccer.com|publisher=US Soccer|access-date=November 29, 2015|date=January 25, 2009}}{{cite web|title=2008 Cupfinalen Røa-Team Strømmen highlights|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDwmjCCHFz4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/TDwmjCCHFz4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=youtube.com| date=November 9, 2008 }}{{cbignore}}

=Chicago Red Stars, 2009–2010=

With the introduction of top-flight women's soccer back to the United States in the form of Women's Professional Soccer, Masar declared herself eligible for the WPS. She was drafted in the second round (9th overall) to the Chicago Red Stars in the 2008 WPS General Draft on October 6, 2008. In the inaugural 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season, Masar appeared in 16 games (five starts, 655 minutes) and recorded two assists. However, her season was hampered by a hip injury sustained on June 7, 2009 during a match against FC Gold Pride, which resulted in four torn muscles.{{Cite web |url=http://windycitysoccer.net/Home/Entries/2009/6/10_Notes_on_Wednesday__Masar_out_4-6_Weeks.html |title=Notes on Wednesday: Masar out 4-6 Weeks |access-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-date=May 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508210602/http://windycitysoccer.net/Home/Entries/2009/6/10_Notes_on_Wednesday__Masar_out_4-6_Weeks.html |url-status=dead }}

It was announced on September 28, 2009 that Masar's contract option had been picked up by Chicago, who held her playing rights for the 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season. In September 2010 Masar returned to Team Strømmen, who had changed their name to LSK Kvinner FK, for part of the 2010 Toppserien. She scored three goals in six Toppserien games.

=magicJack and Paris Saint-Germain, 2011=

During the 2011 WPS season, Masar played for magicJack. She made 16 appearances for the club and scored 4 goals.{{cite web |last=Alicia |first=Tolar |title=Know Your Dash- Ella Masar |url=http://www.dynamotheory.com/houston-dash/2014/1/15/5301920/know-your-dash-ella-masar-NWSL-Houston-Dash |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=January 28, 2014 |date=January 15, 2014}} Masar was the only player to condemn publicly the team owner, Dan Borislow, accusing him of mistreating players, including her.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/8336849/why-hope-solo-abby-wambach-back-magicjack-owner-dan-borislow-espn-magazine|title=The Mag: Who's sabotaging women's pro soccer?|date=September 13, 2012|website=Espn.com|access-date=July 28, 2022}}

Masar played with Paris Saint-Germain for the 2011–2012 season. She made 17 appearances (1107 minutes) and scored six goals.{{cite web |title=Ell Masar player profile |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ella-masar/76121/ |website=Int.soccerway.com |access-date=January 20, 2013}}

=Chicago Red Stars, 2012–2013=

Masar rejoined the Red Stars for the 2012 WPSLE season, and was re-signed by the Stars for the 2013 NWSL season.{{Cite web |url=http://chicagoredstars.net/2013/02/05/red-stars-add-chalupny-hemmings-masar-for-2013/ |title=Red Stars Add Chalupny, Hemmings & Masar for 2013 « Chicago Red Stars |access-date=February 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207061139/http://chicagoredstars.net/2013/02/05/red-stars-add-chalupny-hemmings-masar-for-2013/ |archive-date=February 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

=Houston Dash, 2014–2015=

Masar was left unprotected by the Chicago Red Stars during the 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft and on January 10, 2014 was one of 10 players selected by the Houston Dash.{{cite web |title=Houston Dash Selects Red Stars Ella Masar in 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft |url=http://chicagoredstars.com/houston-dash-selects-chicago-red-stars-ella-masar-in-2014-nwsl-expansion-draft/ |publisher=Chicago Red Stars |access-date=January 28, 2014 |date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214143/http://chicagoredstars.com/houston-dash-selects-chicago-red-stars-ella-masar-in-2014-nwsl-expansion-draft/ |url-status=dead }}

In the 2015 season, Masar took over as Dash captain from her girlfriend Erin McLeod (whom Masar married in July 2015), who was on Canada's 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.{{cite news|title=It's more than a game. Houston couple finds love and acceptance in women's soccer|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/passages/weddings/article/It-s-more-than-a-game-Houston-couple-finds-love-6417885.php|access-date=December 4, 2015|work=Houston Chronicle|date=July 31, 2015|first=Claudia|last=Feldman}}

In November 2015, the Dash waived Masar at her request. She cited a desire to be close to McLeod, who was pursuing a chance to play for a club competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Masar ended her time with the Dash with 37 appearances and 5 goals.{{cite news|url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2015/12/01/ella-masar-signs-fc-rosengard-swedish-champions-erin-mcleod/|title=Masar signs with Swedish champions FC Rosengård|first=Jeff|last=Kassouf|work=Equalizer Soccer|date=December 1, 2015|access-date=December 4, 2015}}

=FC Rosengård, 2016–2018=

In December 2015, FC Rosengård announced the signing of Masar for the 2016 season. McLeod had previously told the press that the two would be playing together in Sweden. For the 2016 season she was tied, with Marta, for most goals. As of October 17, 2017 she has tied her season high of 13 goals from last year, and is tied for 2nd with most goals in Sweden's Damallsvenskan. There are 3 league games remaining.

=VfL Wolfsburg, 2018–2019=

At the beginning of 2018, Masar signed with VfL Wolfsburg until 2019 on a free transfer from FC Rosengård.{{Cite web |last= |date=2017-12-21 |title=Ella Masar signs for German Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg |url=https://www.womenssoccerunited.com/ella-masar-signs-for-wolfsburg/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229155847/http://www.womenssoccerunited.com/ella-masar-signs-for-wolfsburg/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 29, 2017 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Womens Soccer United |language=en-US }}

International career

Masar's international career began in 2007 with the U-21 Women's National Team. She appeared in 12 games, scoring two goals and adding an assist.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} In 2008, the U-21 team switched to being a U-23 team. For the newly re-branded U-23 Women's National Team, Masar appeared in eight games and scored three goals, her last appearance coming in 2009 before she became ineligible due to age.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

Masar's made her debut for the United States women's national soccer team on October 29, 2009 against Germany, where she was a 73rd-minute substitute for Amy Rodriguez.{{cite web |publisher=U.S. Soccer |title=U.S. Defeats Germany 1–0 in Augsburg, Germany |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2009/10/US-Defeat-Germany-1-0-in-Augsburg-Germany.aspx |date=2009-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709130714/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2009/10/US-Defeat-Germany-1-0-in-Augsburg-Germany.aspx |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} Masar and Kacey White were late additions to the squad due to the retirement of Angela Hucles and an injury to Megan Rapinoe.

Coaching career

Masar joined the coaching staff of National Women's Soccer League club Kansas City Current on February 7, 2022.{{cite web |title=Kansas City Current Announce Coaching and Technical Staff Additions |url=https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-announce-coaching-and-technical-staff-ad |website=KansasCityCurrent.com |date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022}} In January 2023, she joined as an assistant coach for the Chicago Red Stars.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagoredstars.com/post/chicago-red-stars-add-ella-masar-to-coaching-staff |title=Chicago Red Stars Add Ella Masar to Coaching Staff |date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023}}

Personal life

Masar is a Christian.{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchsidereport.com/2015/03/17/ella-masar-love-entry-25/|title=Ella Masar: LOVE – Entry #25|website=Pitchsidereport.com|date=March 17, 2015|access-date=March 17, 2015|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134858/http://www.pitchsidereport.com/2015/03/17/ella-masar-love-entry-25/|url-status=dead}} Masar came out as a lesbian on March 17, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchsidereport.com/2015/03/17/ella-masar-love-entry-25/ |title=Ella Masar: LOVE – Entry #25 |author=Masar, Ella |author-link=Ella Masar |date=March 17, 2015 |website=Pitchsidereport.com |access-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134858/http://www.pitchsidereport.com/2015/03/17/ella-masar-love-entry-25/ |url-status=dead }} On July 6, 2015, Masar married Canadian teammate Erin McLeod in Vancouver following the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/passages/weddings/article/It-s-more-than-a-game-Houston-couple-finds-love-6417885.php#photo-8393105|title=It's more than a game. Houston couple finds love and acceptance in women's soccer|last=Feldman|first=Claudia|date=July 1, 2015|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=June 8, 2016}} The two co-hosted a regular online web show called The Ella and Erin Show while playing for the Chicago Red Stars and later the Houston Dash in order to promote home games and give away tickets to fans.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} Masar and McLeod underwent an amicable separation in 2019,{{cite news |last1=Laverty |first1=Rich |title=ELLA MASAR TALKS RISING FROM A TROUBLED YOUTH, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES IN THE WOMEN'S GAME, AND HITTING THE TOP WITH WOLFSBURG |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/05/07/ella-masar-talks-rising-from-a-troubled-youth-personal-and-professional-challenges-in-the-womens-game-and-hitting-the-top-with-wolfsburg/ |access-date=7 May 2019 |publisher=These Football Times |date=7 May 2019}} followed by divorce.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/news/mcleod-mindfulness-would-have-completely-changed-my-career|title=McLeod: Mindfulness would have completely changed my career|website=Fifa.com|date=20 October 2020}}

Masar is currently in a relationship with German soccer player Babett Peter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.l-mag.de/k-word/k-word-333-neues-aus-der-lesbenwelt.html|title = K-Word #333: Neues aus der Lesbenwelt|website=L-mag.de}} In September 2020, Masar gave birth to a baby boy.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/1834639/2020/05/27/babett-peter-ella-masar-germany-us-lgbt/|title=The harrowing and hopeful story of the footballing couple who beat the odds|website=Theathletic.com|date=May 26, 2020}} Masar and Peter married on July 21, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/emasar3/status/1551233719289221122 |title=7.21.2022. This day will forever be ours|website=Twitter.com|access-date=28 July 2022}}

An American citizen by birth, Masar received Canadian citizenship on December 29, 2015, by virtue of her previous marriage to McLeod.{{Cite web|title = Ella Masar McLeod on Twitter|url = https://twitter.com/emasar3/status/682004922934534145|website = Twitter.com|access-date = 2016-02-04}}

In 2019, Masar co-founded Doyenne Sport, an agency for female footballers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.doyennesport.com/|title=Doyenne Sport {{!}} home|website=Doyennesport.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-20}}

Honors

FC Rosengård

Svenska Cupen: 2016–17, 2017–18

VfL Wolfsburg

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20160425013002/http://www.ussoccer.com/players/2014/03/15/05/10/ella-masar US Soccer player profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20091026173625/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/masar_ella00.html Illinois player profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20100804085031/http://www.womensprosoccer.com/chicago/team/player-bios/masar-ella WPS player profile]
[http://chicagoredstars.com/player/ella-masar/ Chicago Red Stars player profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609173710/http://chicagoredstars.com/player/ella-masar/ |date=June 9, 2013 }}
{{WorldFootball.net}}
{{Twitter}}

Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:American women's soccer players

Category:21st-century American sportswomen

Category:United States women's international soccer players

Category:Washington Freedom (soccer) players

Category:Illinois Fighting Illini women's soccer players

Category:MagicJack (WPS) players

Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in Canada

Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Canada

Category:American expatriate women's soccer players in Germany

Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Germany