Merritt Mathias

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=205672526 |title=Merritt Mathias |publisher=University of North Carolina}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=205236321 |title=Texas A&M player profile |access-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814022511/http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=205236321 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=dead}} 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 Soccer'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.{{cite web |title=Merritt Mathias |url=http://www.fckansascity.com/roster/merritt-mathias/ |publisher=FC Kansas City |access-date=May 19, 2013}}

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

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=206314665 |title=A&M has two selected in NWSL draft |access-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814021133/http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=206314665 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Rundown of FC Kansas City's Supplemental Draft Picks |url=http://www.nwslnews.com/rundown-of-fc-kansas-citys-supplemental-draft-picks/ |publisher=NWSL News |access-date=April 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109231001/http://www.nwslnews.com/rundown-of-fc-kansas-citys-supplemental-draft-picks/ |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=First NWSL game is key, but lasting is the goal |url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/9169096/espnw-nwsl-debuts-tie-fc-kansas-city-blues-portland-thorns-fc |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616081807/http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/9169096/espnw-nwsl-debuts-tie-fc-kansas-city-blues-portland-thorns-fc |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=April 27, 2013}} 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.{{cite web |title=Merritt Mathias |url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/players/merritt-mathias/291112/ |publisher=SoccerWay |access-date=November 12, 2014}} Kansas City finished the regular season in second place with an 11–6–5 record and advanced to the playoffs.{{cite web |title=Standings |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/Standings/index_E.html |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |access-date=November 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123112404/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/Standings/index_E.html |archive-date=November 23, 2013}}{{cite web |title=FC Kansas City Clinches Playoff Berth |url=http://www.fckansascity.com/2013/08/05/fc-kansas-city-clinches-playoff-berth/ |publisher=FC Kansas City |date=August 5, 2013}} They were eliminated in the semi-finals after being defeated 3–2 by Portland in overtime.{{cite web |title=NWSL Semi-final Recap: Portland Thorns FC 3, FC Kansas City 2 (OT) |url=http://www.timbers.com/news/2013/08/nwsl-semifinal-recap-portland-thorns-fc-3-fc-kansas-city-2-ot |publisher=Portland Thorns |access-date=November 12, 2014 |date=August 24, 2013 |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112205025/http://www.timbers.com/news/2013/08/nwsl-semifinal-recap-portland-thorns-fc-3-fc-kansas-city-2-ot |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fckansascity.com/roster/ |title=Roster |publisher=FC Kansas City |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408084103/http://www.fckansascity.com/roster/ |archive-date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=April 10, 2013 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite web |last1=Farley |first1=Richard |title=FC Kansas City upset Seattle Reign to win title as NWSL continues ascent |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/01/kansas-city-seatte-nswl-title |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 12, 2014 |date=September 1, 2014}} Mathias started in 18 of the 22 matches in which she played.

In November 2014, Mathias was traded to Seattle Reign FC in exchange for Kate Deines and two 2015 draft picks.{{cite web |title=Reign Deal Deines, Get Merritt Mathias From KC |url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2014/11/12/7205551/reign-deal-deines-get-merritt-mathias-from-kc |publisher=Sounder at Heart |access-date=November 12, 2014 |date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112204739/http://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2014/11/12/7205551/reign-deal-deines-get-merritt-mathias-from-kc |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Kassouf |first1=Jeff |title=Reign trade Deines to FC Kansas City for Mathias |url=http://womens.soccerly.com/2014/11/12/seattle-reign-trade-kate-deines-fc-kansas-city-merritt-mathias/ |publisher=Equalizer Soccer |access-date=November 12, 2014 |date=November 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115005935/http://womens.soccerly.com/2014/11/12/seattle-reign-trade-kate-deines-fc-kansas-city-merritt-mathias/ |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |url-status=dead}} During the 2015 season,{{cite web |url=http://www.reignfc.com/ |title=Roster |publisher=Seattle Reign FC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116071936/http://www.reignfc.com/ |archive-date=November 16, 2015}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Blakely |first1=Chris |title=Seattle Reign Defeat Washington Spirit 3–1, End Two Game Skid |date=May 4, 2015 |url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/nwsl/484958-seattle-reign-defeat-washington-spirit-3-1-end-two-game-skid.html |publisher=Vavel |access-date=3 July 2017}} 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.{{cite web |title=FC KANSAS CITY Reign clinch playoff berth with win over Dash |url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2015/08/12/seattle-reign-beat-houston-dash-clinch-nwsl-playoff-spot/ |publisher=The Equalizer |access-date=3 July 2017 |date=August 12, 2015}} Mathias served two assists throughout the season.{{cite web |title=2015 NWSL Statistics and leader |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/stats?competition=20&season=20150&category=standard&sort=4 |work=Fox Sports |access-date=3 July 2017}} The Reign finished the regular season in first place clinching the NWSL Shield for the second consecutive time.{{cite web |title=SEATTLE REIGN WIN NWSL SHIELD FOR 2ND STRAIGHT SEASON |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/13526128/seattle-reign-win-nwsl-shield-2nd-straight-season |publisher=ESPN |access-date=October 10, 2015 |date=August 27, 2015}} After advancing to the playoffs, Seattle faced fourth-place team Washington Spirit and won 3–0, advancing to the championship final.{{cite web |title=Seattle Reign shuts out Washington Spirit, 3–0, in NWSL semi-final |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/seattle-reign-shuts-out-washington-spirit-3-0-in-nwsl-semifinal/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 7, 2015 |date=September 13, 2015}} Seattle was ultimately defeated 1–0 by FC Kansas City during the championship final in Portland.{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Jamie |title=NWSL Championship Game: FC Kansas City 1, Seattle Reign 0 – Live chat and updates recap |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2015/10/national_womens_soccer_league_5.html |publisher=The Oregonian |access-date=October 10, 2015 |date=October 1, 2015}}

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 in April 2017, the club's first loss at home in 24 games.{{cite web |last1=Rantz |first1=Susie |title=Seattle Reign open season with loss to Sky Blue |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/2016/4/17/11449104/seattle-reign-open-season-with-loss-to-sky-blue |publisher=Sounder at Heart |access-date=3 July 2017 |date=April 17, 2016 |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410154547/https://www.sounderatheart.com/2016/4/17/11449104/seattle-reign-open-season-with-loss-to-sky-blue |url-status=dead }} During the first few months of the season, a number of offensive players became unavailable due to injury including Manon Melis,{{cite web |last1=Rantz |first1=Susie |title=Seattle Reign's Manon Melis suffers tibia fracture |url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/2016/5/20/11723604/seattle-reigns-manon-melis-suffers-tibia-fracture |publisher=Sounder at Heart |access-date=October 4, 2016 |date=May 20, 2016 |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005110211/http://www.sounderatheart.com/2016/5/20/11723604/seattle-reigns-manon-melis-suffers-tibia-fracture |url-status=dead }} Jess Fishlock{{cite web |last1=Rantz |first1=Susie |title=Jess Fishlock out 4–6 weeks with tibia fracture |url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/2016/4/28/11531310/jess-fishlock-out-4-6-weeks-with-tibia-fracture |publisher=Sounder at Heart |access-date=October 4, 2016 |date=April 28, 2016 |archive-date=October 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004042746/http://www.sounderatheart.com/2016/4/28/11531310/jess-fishlock-out-4-6-weeks-with-tibia-fracture |url-status=dead }} and Megan Rapinoe.{{cite web |title=One Day at a Time |url=https://shop.rapinoe.us/blogs/riomode/182053703-one-day-at-a-time |publisher=Megan Rapinoe |access-date=October 4, 2016 |date=June 10, 2016}} Seattle finished the regular season in fifth place with a {{Win–loss record|w=8|d=8|l=6}} record, narrowly missing a playoff spot by two points.{{cite web |title=2016 NWSL |url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/national/united-states/national-womens-soccer-league/2016/regular-season/r34741/ |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=October 4, 2016}}

Returning to the club for the 2017 season, Mathias scored a goal in the 39th minute in a match against the Portland Thorns FC.{{cite web |last1=Conwell |first1=William |title=Portland Thorns Fight Back to Draw Seattle Reign 2–2 |url=https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2017/5/6/15570918/portland-thorns-fight-back-to-draw-seattle-reign-2-2-may-2017 |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=3 July 2017 |date=May 6, 2017}} After the match, she was fined and suspended three matches for an incident with Emily Sonnett.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Allison |title=Thursday Roundup: NWSL Disciplinary Committee suspends Mathias |url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2017/05/11/thursday-roundup-nwsl-disciplinary-committee-suspends-mathias/ |access-date=3 July 2017 |work=The Equalizer |date=May 11, 2017}}

File:Merritt Mathias (40541723300) (cropped).jpg

Mathias was traded to North Carolina Courage in January 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2018/1/31/16936978/seattle-reign-trade-merritt-mathias-north-carolina-courage-nwsl |title=Seattle Reign trade Merritt Mathias to North Carolina Courage |date=January 31, 2018 |access-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205212646/https://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2018/1/31/16936978/seattle-reign-trade-merritt-mathias-north-carolina-courage-nwsl |url-status=dead }} She appeared in 22 regular season games for the Courage, scoring 3 goals. Mathias was an important part of the backline that broke the record for fewest goals conceded, and won the NWSL Shield. She was named to the 2018 NWSL Second XI.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/merritt-mathias |title=Merritt Mathias |access-date=September 23, 2018}} In the 2018 play-offs, Mathias was in the starting lineup for the semi-final and final. She recorded an assist in the Championship game as the Courage won the 2018 NWSL Championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/north-carolina-courage-vs-portland-thorns-2018-09-22 |title=Courage cap off record-setting season with NWSL Championship win |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=September 22, 2018 |archive-date=February 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201213659/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/north-carolina-courage-vs-portland-thorns-2018-09-22 |url-status=dead }}

In January 2023, Mathias was traded to Angel City FC in exchange for forward Tyler Lussi.{{cite web |url=https://www.angelcity.com/news/article/angel-city-trades-forward-tyler-lussi-for-defender-merritt-mathias |title=Angel City Trades Forward Tyler Lussi for Defender Merritt Mathias |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120202421/https://www.angelcity.com/news/article/angel-city-trades-forward-tyler-lussi-for-defender-merritt-mathias |url-status=dead }} Despite being sidelined during the entire 2023 season due to injury, Angel City announced on November 15, 2023, they would exercise their one-year option and extend her contract through the end of 2024.{{Cite web |title=Angel City and Defender Merritt Mathias Exercise One-Year Option |url=https://www.angelcity.com/news/article/angel-city-and-defender-merritt-mathias-exercise-one-year-option |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Angel City}} Mathias made her long-awaited debut for Angel City on March 17, 2024, coming on a substitute in the home opener against Bay FC.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=In Retrospect: Angel City FC v Bay FC - Angels on Parade |url=https://angelsonparade.com/in-retrospect-angel-city-fc-v-bay-fc-season-opener-review/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=angelsonparade.com |language=en-US}}

Mathias announced on October 15, 2024, that she would retire at the end of the season.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title=NWSL legend Merritt Mathias announces retirement from soccer {{!}} Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/nwsl/news/nwsl-legend-merritt-mathias-announces-retirement-soccer/1519a6e61367a6cb2358af3d |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-us}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5844261/2024/10/15/merritt-mathias-retirement-angel-city-courage/|title=Merritt Mathias will retire as a truly authentic NWSL original|last=Linehan|first=Meg|date=2024-10-15|website=The Athletic|access-date=2024-10-15}}

Mathias had 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.{{cite web |title=Mathias Named to National Team Roster |date=January 20, 2017 |url=https://medium.com/@ReignFC/mathias-named-to-national-team-roster-95682aa6a74f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421101735/https://medium.com/@ReignFC/mathias-named-to-national-team-roster-95682aa6a74f |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=Seattle Reign FC |access-date=3 July 2017}} She received her first cap for United States women's national soccer team on June 12, 2018, in a friendly against China PR in Cleveland. Mathias came in as a substitute replacing Sofia Huerta in the 77th minute.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/matches/wnt/2018/20180612-wnt-vs-china#tab-1 |title=Rapinoe, Heath Goals Lift WNT 2-1, USA Completes Sweep of China PR in Cleveland |access-date=June 25, 2018 |date=June 12, 2018}}

She was named to the U.S. Roster for the 2018 Tournament of Nations, but she didn't appear in any games. The U.S. won the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/07/23/17/17/20180723-news-wnt-jill-ellis-names-final-usa-roster-for-2018-tournament-of-nations |title=ELLIS NAMES FINAL USA ROSTER FOR 2018 TOURNAMENT OF NATIONS |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=July 23, 2018}} Mathias was on the provisional 35-player roster for the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship but wasn't named to the final 20-player roster, however she would still join the squad to train and help in preparations.{{cite web |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/09/20/00/27/20180919-news-wnt-2018-world-cup-qualifying-roster-release |title=U.S. WNT ROSTER NAMED FOR 2018 CONCACAF WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=September 19, 2018}}

Mathias is a part of the LGBTQ+ community.{{cite web |url=https://justwomenssports.com/reads/north-carolina-courage-merritt-mathias-plea-fan-support/ |title=Courage's Merritt Mathias makes plea for renewed fan support |access-date=November 20, 2023 |date=May 23, 2023}}

FC Kansas City

• NWSL Champions: 2014

Seattle Reign

• NWSL Shield: 2015

North Carolina Courage

• NWSL Champions: 2018, 2019
• NWSL Shield: 2018, 2019

United States

• Tournament of Nations: 2018

Individual

• NWSL Second XI: 2018

• List of Seattle Reign FC players
• List of sportswomen

{{Portal bar|Women's association football}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{NWSL|merritt-elizabeth-mathias|Merritt Mathias}}
• [https://angelcity.com/club/roster/merritt-mathias Merritt Mathias #11] at Angel City FC
• [https://fckansascity.com/roster/merritt-mathias/ Merritt Mathias #9] at FC Kansas City
• [https://goheels.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/merritt-mathias/7573 Merritt Mathias #11] at North Carolina Tar Heels
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130424182201/http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/u-23-wnt/m/merritt-mathias.aspx Merritt Mathias] at U.S. Soccer (archived)

{{2018 NWSL Teams of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mathias, Merritt}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:Soccer players from Birmingham, Alabama

Category:American women's soccer players

Category:United States women's international soccer players

Category:United States women's youth international soccer players

Category:American LGBTQ soccer players

Category:Angel City FC players

Category:FC Kansas City players

Category:National Women's Soccer League players

Category:New York Fury players

Category:North Carolina Courage players

Category:North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer players

Category:Seattle Reign FC players

Category:Parade High School All-Americans (girls' soccer)

Category:Texas A&M Aggies women's soccer players

Category:Women's association football defenders

Category:Women's association football midfielders

Category:Women's Premier Soccer League Elite players

Category:21st-century American sportswomen