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Sam Staab

{{short description|American soccer player (born 1997)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Sam Staab

| image = NC Courage vs Chicago Red Stars (Jun 2024) 148.jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Staab with the Chicago Red Stars in 2024

| fullname = Samantha Keala Staab{{cite book |url=https://www.clemson.edu/registrar/documents/graduation-programs/grad-december-2018.pdf |title=Commencement: Thursday, December 20, 2018 |chapter=College of Business: Bachelor of Science, Accounting |publisher=Clemson University |page=19 |date=December 20, 2018 |access-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302130520/https://www.clemson.edu/registrar/documents/graduation-programs/grad-december-2018.pdf |url-status=live }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|3|28}}

| birth_place = San Diego, California, United States

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}

| position = Center back

| currentclub = Chicago Stars

| clubnumber = 3

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = DMCV Sharks

| collegeyears1 = 2015–2018

| college1 = Clemson Tigers

| collegecaps1 = 80

| collegegoals1 = 5

| years1 = 2019–2023

| clubs1 = Washington Spirit

| caps1 = 93

| goals1 = 4

| years2 = 2019–2020

| clubs2 = → Western Sydney Wanderers (loan)

| caps2 = 12

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2024–

| clubs3 = Chicago Stars

| caps3 = 16

| goals3 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 2018

| nationalteam1 = United States U23

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2024–

| nationalteam2 = United States

| nationalcaps2 = 2

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| medaltemplates =

| club-update = July 26, 2024

| nationalteam-update = June 4, 2024

}}

Samantha Keala Staab (born March 28, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She was drafted by the Washington Spirit in 2019 after playing collegiately for the Clemson Tigers.

Staab debuted for the United States national team in 2024.

Early life

Staab was raised in San Diego, California. She is part Hawaiian through one grandmother.{{cite news|url=https://clemsontigers.com/beyond-the-game-sam-staab/|title=Beyond the Game – Sam Staab|publisher=Clemson Tigers Athletics|access-date=2024-06-04|date=2017-09-22|magazine=Orange: The Experience|archive-date=June 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605014107/https://clemsontigers.com/beyond-the-game-sam-staab/|url-status=live}} She played club soccer for the DMCV Sharks in her childhood.{{Cite web|date=January 12, 2019|title=Homegrown Pros: Two Sharks Drafted in NWSL|url=https://dmcvsharks.com/2019/01/11/homegrown-pros-two-sharks-drafted-in-nwsl/|access-date=November 30, 2021|website=DMCV Sharks|language=en-US}} She attended Scripps Ranch High School, where she played varsity soccer all four years and captained the team in her last two years.

=Clemson Tigers=

Staab attended Clemson University, where she played for the Tigers women's soccer team from 2015 to 2018.{{cite web|title=Sam Staab|date=February 4, 2015 |url=https://clemsontigers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/sam-staab/|publisher=Clemson Tigers Athletics|accessdate=May 19, 2019}} She was selected for the ACC All-Freshman team in 2015 after starting all 20 games in her first season.{{cite web |url=https://clemsontigers.com/clemson-womens-soccer-program-celebrates-successful-season/ |title=Clemson Women's Soccer Program Celebrates Successful Season |publisher=Clemson Tigers Athletics |date=March 28, 2016 |accessdate=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618181222/https://clemsontigers.com/clemson-womens-soccer-program-celebrates-successful-season/ |url-status=live }} After making the All-ACC second team in each of the next two years, she was selected to the All-ACC first team in her senior season.{{cite web |url=https://www.independentmail.com/story/sports/2019/01/11/clemson-womens-soccer-star-sam-staab-drafted-first-round-nwsl-draft/2553563002/ |title=Clemson Women's Soccer star Sam Staab drafted in first round of NWSL draft |newspaper=Independent Mail |date=January 11, 2019 |accessdate=May 19, 2019}} At the time of her graduation, her 33 career assists were tied for 4th-most in school history.{{cite web |url=https://clemsontigers.com/staab-earns-all-america-honors-two-other-tigers-named-all-region/ |title=Staab Earns All-America Honors, Two Other Tigers Named All-Region |publisher=Clemson Tigers Athletics |date=November 29, 2018 |accessdate=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130205016/http://clemsontigers.com/staab-earns-all-america-honors-two-other-tigers-named-all-region/ |url-status=live }}

Club career

=Washington Spirit=

Staab was drafted 4th overall in the first round of the 2019 NWSL College Draft by the Washington Spirit. In April, she was signed to the Spirit's senior roster in advance of the 2019 NWSL season.{{cite web |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/2019/04/08/washington-spirit-announces-updated-25-player-roster-ahead-of-2019-nwsl-season/ |title=Washington Spirit announces updated 25-player roster ahead of 2019 NWSL season |publisher=Washington Spirit |date=April 8, 2019 |accessdate=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409135028/https://washingtonspirit.com/2019/04/08/washington-spirit-announces-updated-25-player-roster-ahead-of-2019-nwsl-season/ |url-status=live }} Staab made her professional debut on April 13, 2019, against Sky Blue FC, scoring a 59th-minute goal en route to a 2–0 season-opening win for the Spirit.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/04/14/washington-spirit-opens-new-nwsl-season-with-win-over-sky-blue-fc/ |title=Washington Spirit opens new NWSL season with 2–0 win over Sky Blue FC |newspaper=Washington Post |date=April 13, 2019 |accessdate=May 19, 2019 |first=Emily |last=Giambalvo |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515012851/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/04/14/washington-spirit-opens-new-nwsl-season-with-win-over-sky-blue-fc/ |url-status=live }} Staab went on to appear in every minute of the Spirit's season, becoming the second-ever NWSL player to play every minute of her rookie season. She was considered one of the league's top defenders, earning a spot on the NWSL Team of the Month for May and June, and was one of three nominees for NWSL Rookie of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2019/10/17/20919933/washington-spirit-2019-nwsl-awards-aubrey-bledsoe-sam-staab-jordan-dibiasi-richie-burke |title=Washington Spirit have multiple nominees for NWSL end-of-season awards |first=Jason |last=Anderson |website=Black and Red United |date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814091117/https://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2019/10/17/20919933/washington-spirit-2019-nwsl-awards-aubrey-bledsoe-sam-staab-jordan-dibiasi-richie-burke |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2019/5/31/18646666/washington-spirit-nwsl-team-month-may-2019-aubrey-bledsoe-sam-staab-jordan-dibiasi-ashley-hatch |title=Four Washington Spirit players make NWSL Team of the Month for May 2019 |first=Jason |last=Anderson |website=Black and Red United |date= May 31, 2019 |access-date=March 1, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/june-team-of-the-month-2|title=June Team of the Month|first=Jacqueline|last=Purdy|website=NWSL|date=July 8, 2019|access-date=March 1, 2021|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814090936/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/june-team-of-the-month-2|url-status=dead}} In 2020, she played every minute of the Spirit's season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/samantha-staab?statsSeason=2020%20Challenge%20Cup&gamelogSeason=2020%20Challenge%20Cup|title=2020 Challenge Cup Sam Staab statistics|access-date=March 1, 2021|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814091117/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/samantha-staab?statsSeason=2020%20Challenge%20Cup&gamelogSeason=2020%20Challenge%20Cup|url-status=dead}} In the NWSL Challenge Cup she converted a header off a set piece in the 77th minute against the Portland Thorns, scoring the Spirit's lone goal in the team's 1–1 tie.{{cite web |url=https://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2020/7/6/21314228/portland-thorns-washington-spirit-2020-nwsl-challenge-cup-recap-highlights |title=Washington Spirit, Portland Thorns trade set piece goals in 1–1 NWSL Challenge Cup draw |first=Jason |last=Anderson |website=Black and Red United |date=July 6, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126080925/https://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2020/7/6/21314228/portland-thorns-washington-spirit-2020-nwsl-challenge-cup-recap-highlights |url-status=live }} In 2022, Staab played every minute of the Spirit's season.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/samantha-keala-staab/stats |title=Stam Staab 2022 Season statistics |access-date=October 1, 2022 |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002032058/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/samantha-keala-staab/stats |url-status=live }}

On April 29, 2023, Staab made her 73rd consecutive regular season start in the NWSL, breaking a record held by Amber Brooks.{{cite tweet |user=NWSL |number=1652466020932792320 |title=Sam Staab now has the most consecutive starts in league history, breaking the record held by her teammate Amber Brooks 🏁 |date=April 29, 2023}} As of October 20, 2023, Staab has played every minute of 90 consecutive matches, completing three iron woman seasons.{{cite web|url=https://herfootballhub.com/washington-spirit-sam-staab-ties-nwsl-iron-woman-record|title=Washington Spirit's Sam Staab ties NWSL Iron Woman record |date=October 20, 2023}} She was nominated for NWSL Defender of the Year in the 2023 season.{{cite news|url=https://justwomenssports.com/reads/naomi-girma-wins-nwsl-defender-of-the-year-in-back-to-back-seasons/|title=Naomi Girma Wins NWSL Defender of the Year in Back-to-Back Seasons|date=2023-11-08|last=Hruby|first=Emma|website=Just Women's Sports|access-date=2024-06-27|archive-date=December 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203201818/https://justwomenssports.com/reads/naomi-girma-wins-nwsl-defender-of-the-year-in-back-to-back-seasons/|url-status=live}}

=Western Sydney Wanderers=

Staab was signed in advance of the 2019–20 W-League season by the Western Sydney Wanderers. Staab made her debut for the Wanderers on November 14, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.w-league.com.au/news/signing-news-wanderers-secure-harrison-and-staab|title=Signing news: Wanderers secure Harrison and Staab|website=w-league.com.au|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=October 23, 2019|access-date=January 2, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322010804/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/signing-news-wanderers-secure-harrison-and-staab|url-status=dead}}

=Chicago Stars=

She was traded to the Chicago Red Stars (later named Chicago Stars FC) on January 12, 2024, the day of the 2024 NWSL Draft, for the third pick of the draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/01/12/washington-spirit-nwsl-draft/|title=Spirit gets busy, deals Ashley Sanchez, Sam Staab and loads up in draft|first=Ella|last=Brockway|date=January 12, 2024|newspaper=Washington Post}}

On July 25, 2024, Staab was placed on the season-ending injury list after tearing her Achilles tendon during a match against NJ/NY Gotham FC on July 20.{{Cite web |last=Salazar |first=Emmanuel |date=2024-07-25 |title=Chicago Red Stars Medical Update on Defender, Sam Staab |url=https://chicagoredstars.com/first-team/chicago-red-stars-medical-update-on-defender-sam-staab/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Chicago Red Stars |language=en-US}}

International career

=Youth national teams=

Staab attended training camp with the United States under-19 team in January 2016.{{cite web |url=https://clemsontigers.com/staab-invited-to-u19-uswnt-camp/ |title=Staab Invited to U19 USWNT Camp |publisher=Clemson Tigers Athletics |date=January 6, 2016 |accessdate=May 19, 2019}} Staab was first selected for the United States under-23 team in March 2018 for the 2018 Thorns Spring Invitational.{{cite web |url=https://www.abccolumbia.com/2018/03/09/clemsons-sam-staab-back-action-u-s-u-23-wnt/ |title=Clemson's Sam Staab Back in Action with U.S. U-23 WNT |publisher=ABC Columbia |date=March 9, 2018 |accessdate=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814091117/https://www.abccolumbia.com/2018/03/09/clemsons-sam-staab-back-action-u-s-u-23-wnt/ |url-status=live }} She was called up again for the 2018 Nordic Tournament, where she was the only non-professional player selected for the U.S. roster.{{cite web |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/08/23/18/56/20180823-news-u23wnt-headed-to-norway-for-2018-nordic-tournament |title=U-23 WNT Headed to Norway for 2018 Nordic Tournament |publisher=U.S. Soccer |date=August 23, 2018 |accessdate=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824034102/https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/08/23/18/56/20180823-news-u23wnt-headed-to-norway-for-2018-nordic-tournament |url-status=live }} She started all three games, and scored the game-winning goal for the United States in the final match, ensuring a first-place result in the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/nt/international-women/usa-takes-first-place-in-2018-womens-u-23-nordic-tournament/ |title=USA takes first place in 2018 Women's U-23 Nordic Tournament |publisher=Soccerwire |date=September 4, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=Senior national team=

Staab received her first senior national team call-up in May 2024, making her debut as a 61st-minute substitute in a friendly against South Korea on June 1.{{cite news|url=https://www.allforxi.com/2024/5/21/24161709/emma-hayes-names-her-first-uswnt-roster|title=Emma Hayes names her first USWNT roster|last=Musarurwa|first=Kudzi|date=2024-05-21|website=All for XI|access-date=2024-06-01|archive-date=October 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008144241/https://www.allforxi.com/2024/5/21/24161709/emma-hayes-names-her-first-uswnt-roster|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/uswnt-vs-south-korea-score-usa-win-emma-hayes-debut-as-mal-swanson-tierna-davidson-record-braces/live/|title=USWNT vs. South Korea score: USA win Emma Hayes' debut as Mal Swanson, Tierna Davidson record braces|last=Cattry|first=Pardeep|date=2024-06-01|publisher=CBS Sports|access-date=2024-06-01|archive-date=July 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724123747/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/uswnt-vs-south-korea-score-usa-win-emma-hayes-debut-as-mal-swanson-tierna-davidson-record-braces/live/|url-status=live}}

Career statistics

=International=

{{updated|match played June 4, 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan=1|United States

|2024

20
colspan=2|Total20

Honors

Individual

  • NWSL Team of the Month: May, June 2019
  • NWSL Best XI: 2023{{cite news |date=November 6, 2023 |title=NWSL Announces Winners of 2023 Mastercard Best XI Awards |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-winners-of-2023-mastercard-best-xi-awards |access-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=December 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225080443/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-winners-of-2023-mastercard-best-xi-awards |url-status=live }}
  • Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year: 2018{{cite web |date=November 1, 2018 |title=ACC Women's Soccer: 2018 Season Awards Announced |url=http://theacc.com/news/2018/11/1/acc-womens-soccer-2018-season-awards-announced.aspx |accessdate=November 1, 2018 |website=theacc.com |publisher=The Atlantic Coast Conference |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201214353/http://www.theacc.com/news/2018/11/1/acc-womens-soccer-2018-season-awards-announced.aspx |url-status=live }}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://washingtonspirit.com/team-member/sam-staab/ Washington Spirit player profile]
  • {{soccerway|samantha-staab/545276}}

{{Chicago Stars FC squad}}

{{2023 NWSL Teams of the Year}}

{{Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Year navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Staab, Sam}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:American women's soccer players

Category:Clemson Tigers women's soccer players

Category:National Women's Soccer League players

Category:Soccer players from San Diego

Category:Washington Spirit draft picks

Category:Washington Spirit players

Category:Women's association football midfielders

Category:United States women's international soccer players

Category:United States women's youth international soccer players

Category:Chicago Stars FC players

Category:Chicago Red Stars players

Category:Women's association football defenders

Category:21st-century American sportswomen