Mackenzie Pluck
{{Short description|American soccer player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mackenzie Pluck
| fullname = Mackenzie Pluck{{cite web |url=https://goduke.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/mackenzie-pluck/18146 |title=Mackenzie Pluck |publisher=Duke University |accessdate=January 25, 2025}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|04|12}}
| birth_place = North Wales, Pennsylvania, United States
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=4}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Brooklyn FC
| clubnumber = 19
| youthyears1 = 2013–2015
| youthclubs1 = FC Bucks
| youthyears2 = 2015–2018
| youthclubs2 = Players Development Academy
| collegeyears1 = 2018–2022
| college1 = Duke Blue Devils
| collegecaps1 = 107
| collegegoals1 = 21
| years1 = 2023
| clubs1 = Angel City FC
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2024
| clubs2 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2024–
| clubs3 = Brooklyn FC
| caps3 = 14
| goals3 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2014
| nationalteam1 = United States U14
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| nationalyears2 = 2015
| nationalteam2 = United States U16
| nationalcaps2 =
| nationalgoals2 =
| club-update = January 25, 2025
| nationalteam-update = January 25, 2025
| image = Mackenzie Pluck - game.jpg
| caption = Pluck playing for Brooklyn FC in 2025
}}
Mackenzie Pluck (born April 12, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Brooklyn FC of the USL Super League. She has previously played for Angel City FC and NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League. Pluck played collegiately for the Duke Blue Devils, where she set the program record for most appearances.
Early life
Pluck was born in Pennsylvania{{cite web |url=https://goduke.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/mackenzie-pluck/18146 |title=Mackenzie Pluck |publisher=Duke University |accessdate=January 25, 2025}} and grew up in North Wales. She went to high school at Germantown Academy,{{Cite web |date=2021-09-13 |title=ALUMNI WATCH: Germantown Academy grad Pluck has goal, assist as Duke women's soccer stays undefeated |url=https://www.timesherald.com/2021/09/13/alumni-watch-germantown-academy-grad-pluck-has-goal-assist-as-duke-womens-soccer-stays-undefeated/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Times Herald |language=en-US}} where she scored 80 goals and tallied 41 assists.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=Mackenzie Pluck '18 Signs With Angel City FC of NWSL |url=https://www.germantownacademy.net/news/today-at-ga-post-manager-details/~board/today-at-ga/post/mackenzie-pluck-18-signs-with-angel-city-fc-of-nwsl |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Germantown Academy |language=en-US}} Pluck also was a co-captain for Germantown and helped the team reach a state championship in 2015.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-05 |title=GA girls have components for successful soccer season |url=https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/ga-girls-have-components-for-successful-soccer-season,10380 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Chestnut Hill Local |language=en}} In high school, Pluck was also a two-year letterwinner in volleyball. Outside of school, Pluck played club soccer with FC Bucks before switching to Player Development Academy in 2015 in order to maximize college recruitment chances.{{Cite web |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=2024-12-24 |title=These longtime friends from Montco have played soccer against each other from youth to the pros |url=https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/mackenzie-pluck-giovanna-demarco-soccer-usl-super-league-nwsl-20241224.html |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Inquirer |language=en}} In 2018, Pluck was named to the All-American East Best XI.{{Cite web |title=DWS Recruit Spotlight: Mackenzie Pluck |url=https://goduke.com/news/2018/2/14/211700343 |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Duke University |language=en}}
College career
After committing to Duke University in high school, Pluck started playing with the Blue Devils in 2018. She scored her first college goal on August 16, 2018, tallying just two minutes into the second half in a 2–0 victory over Ohio State.{{Cite web |title=No. 3 Duke Shuts Down No. 23 Ohio State to Open Season |url=https://goduke.com/news/2018/8/16/211768450 |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Duke University |language=en}} In her seasons as a junior, senior, and grad student, Pluck helped lead the team to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. She starred in 16 NCAA matches across the three tournaments, the fifth-highest of any Duke player. She played in all of Duke's matches in three of her five seasons, racking up a program-leading 107 games. She also scored 21 goals and tallied 29 assists in her time as a Blue Devil. During her career at Duke, Pluck was twice named to the All-ACC Academic Team and was recognized on the ACC Honor Roll on four separate occasions.
Club career
= Angel City FC =
Pluck registered for the 2023 NWSL Draft but went undrafted. She later received an invite to Angel City FC's preseason camp.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-01-31 |title=Germantown Academy grad Pluck gets camp invite from Angel City |url=https://www.thereporteronline.com/2023/01/31/germantown-academy-grad-pluck-gets-camp-invite-from-angel-city/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Reporter Online |language=en-US}} After two weeks of training with the team as a trialist,{{Cite web |title=New Year, New Faces: Mackenzie Pluck {{!}} HubSpot |url=https://angelcity.com/acfc-post/new-year-new-faces-mackenzie-pluck |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=angelcity.com |language=en}} Pluck signed a one-year contract with Angel City.{{Cite web |title=Angel City FC Signs Midfielder Mackenzie Pluck {{!}} HubSpot |url=https://angelcity.com/acfc-post/angel-city-fc-signs-midfielder-mackenzie-pluck |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=angelcity.com |language=en}} She made her professional debut on April 20, 2023, in an NWSL Challenge Cup game against the OL Reign. Pluck later went on to make 4 other Challenge Cup appearances, all of which as a substitute.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-27 |title=Germantown Academy grad Mackenzie Pluck returns home a pro with NWSL's Gotham FC |url=https://www.thereporteronline.com/2024/07/27/germantown-academy-grad-mackenzie-pluck-returns-home-a-pro-with-nwsls-gotham-fc/ |url-access=registration |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Reporter Online |language=en-US}} She made her only National Women's Soccer League regular season appearance on May 13, coming in as a substitute for Claire Emslie in the 89th minute of a loss to the Washington Spirit.{{Cite web |last=Spirit |date=2023-05-14 |title=Recap: Late PK makes Spirit last unbeaten team in the NWSL, helps defeat Angel City FC |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2023/05/14/recap-late-pk-makes-spirit-last-unbeaten-team-in-the-nwsl-helps-defeat-angel-city-fc/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Washington Spirit |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-14 |title=Angel City FC suffers loss to Washington Spirit on late penalty kick |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2023/05/13/angel-city-fc-suffers-loss-to-washington-spirit-on-late-penalty-kick/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}} At the end of the 2023 season, Angel City opted not to renew Pluck's contract.{{Cite web |last=Tracy |first=Trebor |date=2023-11-20 |title=Angel City FC announce roster status - Angels on Parade |url=https://angelsonparade.com/angel-city-fc-announce-roster-status-give-glimpse-into-offseason-2024/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=angelsonparade.com |language=en-US}}
Following her stint at Angel City, Pluck joined Racing Louisville FC as a non-roster invitee during 2024 preseason.{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Matthew |date=2024-01-25 |title=North Wales native Mackenzie Pluck a non-roster invite to Racing Louisville preseason |url=https://philadelphiasoccernow.com/2024/01/25/north-wales-native-mackenzie-pluck-a-non-roster-invite-to-racing-louisville-preseason/#google_vignette |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Philadelphia Soccer Now |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Racing announces preseason roster, schedule |url=https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2024/01/24/racing-announces-preseason-roster-schedule/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Racing Louisville FC |language=en-US}} She did not sign a contract with the club.
= NJ/NY Gotham FC =
In February 2024, Pluck was named as a non-roster invitee on NJ/NY Gotham FC's roster, her third time as an NWSL NRI in two years.{{Cite web |title=Gotham FC Adds Ten Players for Preseason Training |publisher=Gotham FC |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news/gotham-fc-adds-ten-players-for-preseason-training |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en}} After training with Gotham throughout 2024, she signed a national team replacement contract on July 18.{{Cite web |title=Duke Alumna Mackenzie Pluck Signs with Gotham FC |url=https://goduke.com/news/2024/7/18/womens-soccer-duke-alumna-mackenzie-pluck-signs-with-gotham-fc |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Duke University |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Gotham FC Signs Four National Team Replacement Players |publisher=Gotham FC |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news/gotham-fc-signs-four-national-team-replacement-players |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en}} Two days later, Pluck made her club debut in an NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup game against the Chicago Red Stars.{{Cite web |title=Match Recap: Gotham FC defeats Chicago Red Stars in Penalties in first match of NWSL x LigaMX Summer Cup |publisher=Gotham FC |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news/match-recap-gotham-fc-defeats-chicago-red-stars-in-penalties-in-first-match-of-nwsl-x-ligamx-summer-cup |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en}} Gotham's next match, a Summer Cup fixture against the Washington Spirit, drew large support from Pluck's friends, family, and fans, due to Subaru Park's proximity to Pluck's hometown.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-27 |title=Germantown Academy grad Mackenzie Pluck returns home a pro with NWSL's Gotham FC |url=https://www.thereporteronline.com/2024/07/27/germantown-academy-grad-mackenzie-pluck-returns-home-a-pro-with-nwsls-gotham-fc/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Reporter Online |language=en-US}} She ended up entering the match as a substitute for former Duke teammate Ella Stevens and was able to play in front of her home crowd.{{Cite web |title=Match Recap: Gotham FC win 1-0, takes over Washington as Group D leader |publisher=Gotham FC |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news/match-recap-gotham-fc-win-1-0-takes-over-washington-as-group-d-leader |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en}} Pluck made one more Summer Cup appearance before her short-term contract with Gotham expired.
= Brooklyn FC =
On August 26, 2024, Pluck signed with USL Super League team Brooklyn FC ahead of the club's inaugural season.{{Cite web |title=Brooklyn Football Club Bolsters Inaugural Roster With Mackenzie Pluck |url=https://www.brooklynfootballclub.com/news/2024/08/26/brooklyn-football-club-bolsters-inaugural-roster-with-mackenzie-pluck/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Brooklyn FC |language=en-US}} After leading the league in duels won and having recorded two assists, she was named to the league's October Team of the Month, alongside teammate Samantha Kroeger.{{Cite web |title=Two Brooklyn Football Club Players Named to USL Super League's Team of the Month for October |url=https://www.brooklynfootballclub.com/news/2024/11/06/two-bkfc-players-make-october-team-of-the-month/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Brooklyn FC |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=USL Super League Team of the Month - October |url=https://www.uslsuperleague.com/news/2024/11/06/usl-super-league-team-of-the-month-october/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=USL Super League |language=en-US}}
International career
Pluck has represented the United States internationally at U-14 and U-16 levels. She was called into U14 camps three times in 2014 and U16 camps at the beginning of 2015.{{Cite web |title=U.S. U-16 GNT heads to San Diego for camp with U-17 WNT |url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/u-s-u-16-gnt-heads-to-san-diego-for-camp-with-u-17-wnt/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=SoccerWire |language=en}}
Personal life
Pluck is an avid artist. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched a graphic illustration business on Instagram called Scribble Bird.{{Cite web |title=Pluck Shares Artistic Talent on Scribble Bird Instagram |url=https://goduke.com/news/2021/9/28/womens-soccer-pluck-shares-artistic-talent-on-scribble-bird-instagram |access-date=2025-01-25 |publisher=Duke University |language=en}} In 2023, Pluck gave handmade drawings to each of her teammates on Angel City FC who attended the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, depicting the players representing their respective national teams.{{Cite web |last=Nia |first=Kamran |date=2023-09-16 |title=How Mackenzie Pluck uses art to inspire change |url=https://thesportingtribune.com/how-mackenzie-pluck-uses-art-to-inspire-change |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Sporting Tribune |language=en}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{Updated|January 25, 2025{{cite web |url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/mackenzie-pluck/900077/ |title=M. Pluck |accessdate=January 25, 2025}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! 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 USL Super League Playoffs}} ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |
|---|
| Angel City FC
|2023 | rowspan="2" |NWSL |1 |0 |5 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |6 |0 |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC
|2024 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |2{{Efn|Includes the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup}} |0 |2 |0 |
| Brooklyn FC
|14 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |14 |0 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!15 !0 !5 !0 !0 !0 !2 !0 !22 !0 |
Honors
= Individual =
- USL Super League Team of the Month: October 2024
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
- [https://goduke.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/mackenzie-pluck/18146 Mackenzie Pluck] at Duke Blue Devils
- [https://www.brooklynfootballclub.com/roster/mackenzie-pluck/ Mackenzie Pluck] at Brooklyn FC
{{Brooklyn FC (women) squad}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Pluck, Mackenzie}}
Category:Soccer players from Pennsylvania
Category:American women's soccer players
Category:Women's association football midfielders
Category:Duke Blue Devils women's soccer players
Category:Angel City FC players
Category:NJ/NY Gotham FC players
Category:National Women's Soccer League players
Category:USL Super League players
Category:United States women's youth international soccer players