Kristen McNabb
{{short description|American soccer player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kristen McNabb
| fullname = Kristen Claire McNabb{{cite web |url=https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/i5pkwxe5/provisional_rosters_v2.pdf |title=National team roster – 2022 Concacaf W Championship: USA |work=CONCACAF |page=16 |date=June 8, 2022 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608213440/https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/i5pkwxe5/provisional_rosters_v2.pdf |archive-date=June 8, 2022}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|4|17}}
| birth_place = Montville, New Jersey, U.S.
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=5}}
| image = NC Courage vs SD Wave (Oct 2024) 048 (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = McNabb with the San Diego Wave in 2024
| currentclub = San Diego Wave
| clubnumber = 14
| position = Center back, left back
| youthclubs1 =
| youthyears1 =
| collegeyears1 = 2012–2016
| college1 = Virginia Cavaliers
| collegecaps1 = 89
| collegegoals1 = 13
| years1 = 2017–2021
| clubs1 = OL Reign
| caps1 = 76
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2017–2018
| clubs2 = → Melbourne Victory (loan)
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2022–
| clubs3 = San Diego Wave
| caps3 = 59
| goals3 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2011
| nationalteam1 = United States U-18
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| nationalyears2 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam2 = United States U-23
| nationalcaps2 =
| nationalgoals2 =
| club-update = November 10, 2024
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Kristen Claire McNabb (born April 17, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back or left back for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
McNabb played college soccer for the Virginia Cavaliers before being drafted by Seattle Reign FC (later OL Reign) in the fourth round of the 2017 NWSL Draft. She spent five seasons with the Reign, including one on loan with Melbourne Victory FC. McNabb has also represented the United States on the under-18 and under-23 national teams.
Early life
McNabb was raised in Montville, New Jersey, where she attended Montville Township High School. She played club soccer for PDA Charge and captained the team to the national championship games twice. She was ranked 34 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.
College career
McNabb attended the University of Virginia, where she played for the Cavaliers from 2013 to 2016 after redshirting the 2012 season due to injury.{{cite web|title=Kristen McNabb|url=http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/kristen_mcnabb_800577.html|publisher=University of Virginia|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110010322/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/kristen_mcnabb_800577.html|url-status=dead}} During the 2013 season, she made 19 appearances for the Cavaliers including two starts. She sustained a knee injury in a match against Virginia Tech on October 31 which prevented her from playing the remainder of the season. The following year, she started in all 26 games and scored her first goal during a match against Tennessee. During the 2015 season, McNabb started in all 23 games and was named to the Second-Team NSCAA All-Southeast Region. In the 2016 season, McNabb captained the Cavaliers. That September she was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Co-Offensive Player Of The Week while playing as a defender and scoring twice against Virginia Tech.{{cite web|title=STANFORD HOLDS ON TO WOMEN'S COLLEGE SOCCER NO. 1 RANKING|url=http://athenasportsnet.com/stanford-holds-womens-college-soccer-no-1-ranking/|publisher=Athena Sports|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417235757/http://athenasportsnet.com/stanford-holds-womens-college-soccer-no-1-ranking/|archive-date=April 17, 2017|url-status=dead}} The same year, McNabb helped the Cavaliers to a {{win-loss record|w=15|l=5|d=2}} record. The team reached the Round of 16 of the NCAA Division 1 Soccer Championship for the 12th straight season.{{cite web|title=UVA stars Shaffer, McNabb taken in 2017 NWSL Draft|url=http://augustafreepress.com/womens-soccer-uva-stars-shaffer-mcnabb-taken-2017-nwsl-draft/|publisher=Augusta Free Press|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=January 12, 2017}}
Club career
=OL Reign, 2017–2021=
In January 2017, McNabb was selected by Reign FC as the 37th overall selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.{{cite web|last1=Pentz|first1=Matt|title=Reign selects four players in 2017 National Women's Soccer League draft|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/reign-selects-four-players-in-2017-national-womens-soccer-league-draft/|publisher=Seattle Times|access-date=January 18, 2017|date=January 12, 2017}} After training with the Reign in preseason, she signed her first professional contract with the club on April 3, 2017.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-04-03 |title=Reign FC Sign Defender Kristen McNabb |url=https://medium.com/@ReignFC/reign-fc-sign-defender-kristen-mcnabb-31b31d505f84 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Medium |language=en}} She made her debut starting for the club during the season opener on April 15 against Sky Blue FC. She scored her first professional goal on April 22 against the Houston Dash.{{Cite web |title=Reign FC Re-Signs Defender Kristen McNabb for 2019 NWSL Season |url=https://www.reignfc.com/news/2018/12/25/reign-fc-re-signs-defender-kristen-mcnabb-for-2019-nwsl-season-sp6j2 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Seattle Reign FC |language=en-US}} Her performances in her first two seasons with the Reign earned her a new contract in late 2018, giving her the opportunity to play with the club in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Reign FC Re-Signs Defender Kristen McNabb for 2019 NWSL Season |url=https://www.reignfc.com/news/2018/12/25/reign-fc-re-signs-defender-kristen-mcnabb-for-2019-nwsl-season-sp6j2 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Seattle Reign FC |language=en-US}}
==Melbourne Victory, 2017 (loan)==
In October 2017, McNabb joined Australian club Melbourne Victory on loan for the off-season.{{cite web|url=https://www.melbournevictory.com.au/news/victory-signs-kristen-mcnabb|title=Victory signs Kristen McNabb|publisher=Melbourne Victory|date=October 24, 2017}} She played in 11 matches during her loan spell and managed to score 1 goal, a header against Canberra United in October 2017.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-10-28 |title=Victory’s perfect start to W-League |url=https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/victorys-perfect-start-w-league/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Melbourne Victory |language=en-AU}}
=San Diego Wave FC, 2022–=
In December 2021, San Diego Wave selected McNabb in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.olreign.com/news/dani-weatherholt-and-kristen-mcnabb-selected-in-expansion-draft|title=Dani Weatherholt and Kristen McNabb Selected in Expansion Draft|website=OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=November 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106210614/https://www.olreign.com/news/dani-weatherholt-and-kristen-mcnabb-selected-in-expansion-draft|url-status=dead}} McNabb made her debut for the Wave on the club's inaugural match, a 1–1 draw against Angel City FC on March 19, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Athletic |first=The |date=2022-03-20 |title=Angel City vs. San Diego Wave live updates: Lineups, highlights and more |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/angel-city-vs-san-diego-wave-live-updates-lineups-highlights-and-expert-analysis-of-the-nwsl-challenge-cup-match/GIII50fG1chy/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=The Athletic |language=en-US}} She appeared in 5 of the 6 of the Wave's 2022 Challenge Cup games, playing 90 minutes in each fixture.{{Cite web |title=National Women's Soccer League Official Site {{!}} NWSL |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.nwslsoccer.com |language=en}} During the Challenge Cup and parts of the 2022 season, McNabb played as a defensive midfielder, but she eventually ended back up in her more natural position of left-back.{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Alicia |date=2022-12-28 |title=San Diego Wave FC 2022 Player Postmortem: Kristen McNabb |url=https://www.lagconfidential.com/2022/12/28/23528318/san-diego-wave-fc-2022-player-postmortem-kristen-mcnabb |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=LAG Confidential |language=en}} She scored her first goal for the club on July 10, 2022, in a defeat to Angel City FC.{{Cite web |last=Support |first=WaveFC |date=2022-07-10 |title=SAN DIEGO WAVE FÚTBOL CLUB DROPS TO ANGEL CITY IN THRILLER AT BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-futbol-club-drops-to-angel-city-in-thriller-at-banc-of-california-stadium%EF%BF%BC-2/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}} Midway through the 2022 season, McNabb's contract was extended through 2024.{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=2022-07-21 |title=Wave FC Re-Signs Midfielder Kristen McNabb Through 2024 NWSL Season |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/wave-fc-re-signs-midfielder-kristen-mcnabb-through-2024-nwsl-season/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}} She finished the 2022 season with a career-high 2 goals and 24 games played.File:Kristen McNabb SD Gotham5.16-081.jpgMcNabb played in 14 games in 2023 before picking up a hip injury{{Cite web |title=Dash in San Diego looking for first win over Wave: What to watch for |url=https://www.bayoucitysoccer.net/dash/dash-in-san-diego-looking-for-first-win-over-wave-what-to-watch-for |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Bayou City Soccer |language=en-US}} that rendered her unavailable from July to October.{{Cite web |last=Zepeda |first=Abraham |date=2023-08-31 |title=San Diego Wave release four National Team replacement players |url=https://www.eastvillagetimes.com/san-diego-wave-release-four-national-team-replacement-players/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=East Village Times |language=en-US}} Her first game back would be the Wave's semifinal defeat to the OL Reign, on November 5, 2023. McNabb's lone goal of the season occurred on June 17, 2023, in a match against Californian rivals Angel City FC. She opened the scoring in the 57th minute with a left-footed strike through the legs of defender Ali Riley and into the back of the net.{{cite web |date=2023-06-18 |title=Wave bedeviled by Angel City in 2-1 loss at Snapdragon Stadium |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/wave/story/2023-06-17/column-wave-angel-city-nwsl-match |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}
On May 4, 2024, McNabb participated in a 2–1 loss to Seattle Reign FC, her former team. The game set the record for the most cards distributed in an NWSL match, with McNabb adding to the count after conceding a red card in stoppage time.{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=2024-05-04 |title=San Diego Wave FC Falls 2-1 to Seattle Reign at Lumen Field |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-falls-2-1-to-seattle-reign-at-lumen-field/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}} She scored her only goal and only own goal of the 2024 regular season on a September fixture against the Washington Spirit, deflecting the ball into her own net in the first half before scoring off of a corner kick in the 68th minute. McNabb's goal and own goal were the only actions on the scoresheet as the match finished in a 1–1 draw.{{Cite web |title=The Sporting Tribune |url=https://www.thesportingtribune.com/2024/09/01/mcnabb-both-sides-scoresheet-wave-impress-draw-washington-spirit |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=The Sporting Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=2024-09-02 |title=San Diego Wave FC Ties Washington Spirit 1-1 at Snapdragon Stadium |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-ties-washington-spirit-1-1-at-snapdragon-stadium/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}} Shortly before the conclusion of the regular season, the Wave re-signed McNabb on a two-year extension through 2026.{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=2024-10-24 |title=Wave FC Re-Signs Defender Kristen McNabb |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/wave-fc-re-signs-defender-kristen-mcnabb/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-24 |title=Wave sign defender Kristen McNabb to a 2-year contract extension |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/10/24/wave-sign-defender-kristen-mcnabb-to-a-2-year-contract-extension/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}
Following the Wave's signing of offensive-minded French left-back Perle Morroni,{{Cite web |last=Velasco |first=Francisco |date=2024-08-23 |title=San Diego Wave sign Perle Morroni through 2026 season |url=https://eastvillagetimes.com/san-diego-wave-sign-perle-morroni-through-2026-season/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=East Village Times |language=en-US}} McNabb found herself playing as a center back in her fourth season with San Diego.{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Fernando |date=2025-05-11 |title=Late goal means San Diego Wave, Portland Thorns settle for draw |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/05/10/late-goal-means-san-diego-wave-portland-thorns-settle-for-draw/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}} On May 25, she contributed to the Wave's highest-scoring game in club history, scoring once in a 5–2 victory over the North Carolina Courage that also helped set a team record 6-match unbeaten streak.{{Cite web |last=Grueskin |first=Birgen |date=2025-05-26 |title=San Diego Wave FC Sets Club Record in 5-2 Victory Over North Carolina Courage |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-sets-club-record-in-5-2-victory-over-north-carolina-courage/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}}
International career
Personal life
Career statistics
= Club =
{{Updated|November 30, 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |Cup{{Efn|Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Playoffs{{Efn|Includes NWSL Playoffs and A-League Finals Series}} ! colspan="2" |Continental{{Efn|Includes CONCACAF W Champions Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |
|---|
| rowspan="6" |Seattle Reign FC{{Efn|Seattle Reign FC was named Reign FC in 2019 and OL Reign in 2020 and 2021.}}
|2017 | rowspan="5" |NWSL |18 |1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |18 |1 |
| 2018
|20 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |20 |0 |
| 2019
|16 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |17 |0 |
| 2020
| colspan="2" |—The 2020 NWSL regular season and playoffs were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |4 |0 | colspan="2" |— |4{{Efn|Includes NWSL Fall Series}} |0 |8 |0 |
| 2021
|22 |1 |3 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |26 |1 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!76 !2 !7 !0 !2 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !4 !0 !89 !2 |
| Melbourne Victory (loan)
|11 |1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |11 |1 |
| rowspan="4" |San Diego Wave FC
|2022 | rowspan="3" |NWSL |22 |2 |5 |0 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |29 |2 |
| 2023
|13 |1 |1 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |15 |1 |
| 2024
|24 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |4 |1 |3{{Efn|Includes NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup}} |0 |31 |2 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!59 !4 !6 !0 !3 !0 !4 !1 !3 !0 !75 !5 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!146 !7 !13 !0 !5 !0 !4 !1 !7 !0 !175 !8 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honors
San Diego Wave
- NWSL Shield: 2023{{cite web |title=San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/concacafw/news/san-diego-wave-claim-2023-nwsl-shield/#:~:text=regular%20season%20champions.-,In%20just%20their%20second%20season%20as%20an%20NWSL%20team%2C%20the,the%20semifinals%20of%20the%20Playoffs. |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=CONCACAF| date=October 17, 2023 }}
- NWSL Challenge Cup: 2024{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=2024-03-16 |title=San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-defeat-1-0-nj-ny-gotham-fc-in-2024-ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{sports links}}
- {{NWSL player|kristen-claire-mcnabb|Kristen McNabb}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180110010322/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/kristen_mcnabb_800577.html Kristen McNabb] at Virginia Cavaliers (archived)
- [https://sandiegowavefc.com/player/kristen-mcnabb/ Kristen McNabb] at San Diego Wave FC
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160453/https://www.ussoccer.com/players/2014/03/15/05/12/kristin-mcnabb#tab-1 Kristen McNabb] at U.S. Soccer (archived)
{{San Diego Wave FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McNabb, Kristen}}
Category:Montville Township High School alumni
Category:Sportspeople from Montville, New Jersey
Category:Virginia Cavaliers women's soccer players
Category:Seattle Reign FC draft picks
Category:Seattle Reign FC players
Category:Soccer players from Morris County, New Jersey
Category:Melbourne Victory FC (women) players
Category:National Women's Soccer League players
Category:American women's soccer players
Category:Women's association football defenders
Category:American expatriate women's soccer players
Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in Australia
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Australia