Mikhaila Bowden

{{Infobox football biography

|name=Mikhaila Bowden

|image=Bowden Game Day2.jpg

|caption=Bowden in 2022

|fullname=Mikhaila Bowden Gonzalez

|birth_place=United States

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1993|8|22|df=y}}

|height=1.68m

|position=Defender

|youthyears1=2007–2010

|youthclubs1=So Cal Blues

|youthyears2=2007–2010

|youthclubs2=Ocean View Seahawks

|collegeyears1=2011–2014

|college1=Boise State Broncos

|collegecaps1=83

|collegegoals1=0

|years1=2017

|clubs1= Southern United FC

|nationalyears1=2022–

|nationalteam1=Belize

|nationalcaps1=7

|nationalgoals1=5

|ntupdate=26 October 2023

}}

Mikhaila Bowden Gonzalez (born 22 August 1993) is a footballer who plays as a defender. Born in the United States, she is a Belize international.

Early life

Bowden started playing football at the age of four.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.today/20231011193002/https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-xpm-2009-07-16-hbi-spsoccerfeat071609.1-story.html|title=Mikhaila Bowden - Los Angeles Times article}} When Bowden was eighteen years old, her younger half-sister committed suicide.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.today/20230926045838/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/1/boise-state-soccer-star-triumphs-over-tragedy/|title=Bowden triumphs over tragedy|publisher=washingtontimes.com (Archived)}}

Education

Bowden attended Boise State University in the United States, where she was regarded as one of the soccer team's most important players.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.today/20231011192740/http://inwsoccer.blogspot.com/2013/11/inw-best-xi-week-12-bowden-boyd-lead.html|title=Bowden & Boyd lead Boise State and C of Idaho|publisher=Inland Soccer News}}

Club career

In 2017, Bowden signed for Australian side Southern United FC, where she was described as "established herself as one of the best centre backs in the competition".{{Cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1908901485|title=Bowden and Hueston add rocket fuel to Southern|publisher=Peninsula Leader|id={{ProQuest|1908901485}} }}

International career

Bowen has played for the Belize women's national football team, where she has been regarded as one of the team's most important players.{{Cite web|url=https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2023/10/04/trio-of-belizean-female-footballers-make-concacaf-best-11-list/|title=Mikhaila Bowden - Breaking News Belize article|date=4 October 2023 }}{{Cite web|url=https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/258723|title=Independence Day Victory for Belize Senior Women's Football Team|publisher=channel5belize.com}}

Style of play

Bowden mainly operates as a defender and is known for her free-kick taking ability.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cornerflag.com.au/nplw-april-player-month-mkhaila-bowden-2017/|title=Mikhaila Bowden - The Corner Flag article}}

Personal life

Bowden was born to a Belizean father.{{Cite web|url=https://bvmsports.com/2022/04/15/from-boise-to-belmopan-mikhaila-bowdens-journey-to-soccers-international-stage/|title=Mikhaila Bowden's Journey To Soccer's International Stage|publisher=bvmsports.com}} She has regarded United States international Brandi Chastain as her football idol.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.today/20231007163655/https://socal-fc.tumblr.com/post/159462210531/mikhaila-bowden-is-socalmade/amp|title=Mikhaila Bowden is #SoCalMade}}