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Kennedy Wesley

From Wikipedia
Kennedy Wesley
human
Ein sex anaa genderfemale Edit
Ein country of citizenshipUnited States Edit
Name wey dem give amKennedy Edit
Family nameWesley Edit
Ein date of birth8 March 2001 Edit
Place dem born amSanta Monica Edit
Ein occupationassociation football player Edit
Position dem play for team top / specialitydefender Edit
Educate forStanford University Edit
ResidenceRossmoor Edit
Member give sports teamSan Diego Wave FC Edit
Sportfootball Edit
Drafted bySan Diego Wave FC Edit

Kennedy Megan Wesley (born March 8, 2001) be an American professional soccer player wey dey play as a center back give San Diego Wave FC of de National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) den de United States national team. She play college soccer give de Stanford Cardinal, winning de 2019 national championship den setting de program record for career appearances.

Early life

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Na dem born Wesley insyd Santa Monica, California,[1] to Kristen den Kevin Wesley. Insyd ein youth, she participate insyd both soccer den gymnastics before committing fully to soccer at age 13.[2] She attend Valley Christian High School,[3] wer she help de team win a California state championship insyd 2017.[1][4] De same season, she be named de Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 22 goals den tallying 9 assists insyd ein sophomore high school season.[5][6] She play club soccer give SoCal Blues, plus wich she win de 2015 ECNL U15 National Championship.[7] Wesley ein play plus de SoCal blues help am gain attention plus de Olympic Development Program wey she earn time on United States youth national teams.[2]

College career

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Wesley play college soccer give de Stanford Cardinal over five seasons from 2019 to 2023.[1] She play insyd all 25 games as a freshman, wey dey operate mainly as a left back. Ein playing time increase as de year go on, wey she end up starting 13 of de Cardinal ein final 14 matches of de year. She help contribute to Stanford ein 2019 NCAA tournament victory, playing insyd all of de squad ein NCAA matches.[1] During de college cup final, she convert a must-score penalty shot past North Carolina goalkeeper Claudia Dickey wey help Stanford win de shootout, 5–4.[8] At de end of de year, na dem name am to de All-Pac-12 Freshman Team alongside teammate Maya Doms.[9]

Insyd ein sophomore season, Wesley start all 13 matches insyd wich she play. She operate as a center back, playing every minute of 8 games. De following year, ein playing time increase to 19 games (18 starts). She synergize plus de Cardinal backline to produce 9 shutouts on de year. Wesley be recognized for ein efforts plus a spot on de All Pac-12 third team.[1]

As a senior, na dem name Wesley team captain, a position she go maintain control of til ein departure from Stanford.[10] She start all 22 of de Cardinal ein matches wey she accumulate de second-highest minutes of any field player insyd de squad.[1] Na dem name Wesley to de All-Pac 12 second team after leading de team to a Pac-12 Championship, de second of ein college career.[11][12]

Wesley return to Stanford for a fifth year insyd 2023. Once again, she start all of de team ein matches wey she log de second-highest minutes for a field player. During de Cardinal ein opening match, she net ein first collegiate goal, scoring from distance insyd a 4–0 victory over de San Diego Toreros.[13] Wesley go go on to score three more goals over de course of de season, reaching a career high. She plete ein ascendancy plus ein first All-Pac-12 first team honor den a recognition on de All-Region third team as well.[1] Of a possible 106 career appearances, she play insyd 104 games, setting a school record.[14] Na ein 92 starts, wey dey include insyd de final 60 matches of ein college career, be 9th highest insyd Stanford history.[15]

Club career

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Wesley plus San Diego insyd 2025

Na dem select Wesley insyd de first round (12th overall) of de 2024 NWSL Draft by San Diego Wave FC.[16][15] On February 8, 2024, San Diego sign am to ein first professional deal, a two-year contract thru 2025.[17] She make ein club debut insyd a scoreless draw against Racing Louisville on April 13,[18] wey she start in place of de injured Naomi Girma.[19] Wesley score ein first professional goal on July 20, insyd a NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match against Bay FC.[20] She tally ein first NWSL regular season goal on September 8, scoring San Diego ein lone goal insyd teammate Alex Morgan ein final match, a 4–1 defeat to de North Carolina Courage.[21] Na both ein Summer Cup den NWSL goals be header goals from María Sánchez corner kicks.[20][21] Insyd September 2024, na dem name Wesley de NWSL Rookie of de Month after sporting strong defensive statistics.[3]

On May 4, 2025, Wesley score de opening goal insyd a 2–1 victory over Bay FC. E mark ein third goal in a row from a María Sánchez corner kick.[22] As de season progress, she continue to earn playing time den, across 12 of de San Diego ein first 13 matches of de year, she sport de highest average passing accuracy insyd de squad. Insyd August, de Wave re-sign Wesley to a three-year contract wey dey last thru de end of 2028.[23] She fini de 2025 season having played insyd 22 matches as San Diego fini insyd sixth place wey dem qualify for de playoffs, wer dem face off against de Portland Thorns insyd de quarterfinals.[24] Wesley play all 120 minutes of de match wey she record a shot wey hit off de crossbar as de Wave loose insyd extra time, 1–0.[25]

Wesley kick off ein third professional season on a positive note, wey earn am first NWSL Team of de Month honor for March 2026 after helping San Diego concede three goals per across dema opening four matches.[26] On July 4, 2026, she register ein first NWSL assist, passing de ball to Melanie Barcenas insyd a 2–0 win over Gotham FC.[27]

International career

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Youth

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Wesley represent de United States at multiple youth levels. Insyd de fall of 2016, she be a member of de under-17 team wey win de 2016 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship wey she consequently qualify for de 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Na dem name Wesley einself to de tournament ein Best XI.[2] She sanso participate insyd de ensuing World Cup, insyd wich na dem eliminate de team insyd de group stage.[28] De following year, she repeat de cycle plus de U-17 squad, playing insyd de 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship wey she score ein first youth national team goal insyd de process. However, she suffer an injury insyd de lead-up to de 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup wey na she no be able to participate insyd de tournament.[29]

Insyd 2020, Wesley be a member of de under-20 team wey win gold at de 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship.[30] She earn ein first U-20 cap insyd de first game of de competition, a 9–0 drubbing of Cuba.[31] During de tournament, she tally ein first U-20 goal after heading in a cross from eventual Stanford teammate Katie Duong to help de United States win dema quarterfinal match over Canada.[32]

While insyd ein second year playing insyd de NWSL plus de San Diego Wave, Wesley receive a call-up to de under-23 squad for two friendlies against Germany.[33]

Senior

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Emma Hayes hand Wesley ein first call-up to de senior national team insyd October 2025.[34] She make ein senior international debut on October 29, 2025, starting insyd a 6–0 victory over New Zealand.[35] On April 17, 2026, Wesley record ein first international goal contributions, assisting former Stanford den San Diego Wave teammate Naomi Girma insyd a victory over Japan before scoring a goal of ein own later on insyd de match.[36]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of November 15, 2025
Appearances den goals by club, season den competition
Club Season League Cup Playoffs Continental Oda Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals Apps Goals Apps GoalsAppsGoals
San Diego Wave FC 2024 NWSL 13100— 2 0 1 1162
2025 22 1 — 1 0 — — 23 1
Career total 3520010 2 0 1 1393

International

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As of match played June 9, 2026
National TeamYearAppsGoals
United States 202520
202651
Total71
International goal wey Kennedy Wesley score
No. Cap Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 6 April 17, 2026 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado, U.S.  Japan 3–0 3–0 Friendly [37]

Honors

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Stanford Cardinal[10]

San Diego Wave

United States

United States U17

United States U20

Individual

  • 2019 All Pac-12 freshman team
  • 2021 All Pac-12 third team
  • 2022 All Pac-12 second team
  • 2022 United Coaches All-Region first team
  • 2023 United Coaches All-Region third team[14]
  • 2023 All Pac-12 first team[14]
  • NWSL Rookie of the Month: September 2024[3]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kennedy Wesley Stanford profile". Stanford University Athletics (in English). Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Kennedy Wesley a special leader for Valley Christian girls soccer". Press Telegram (in American English). 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  3. 1 2 3 NWSL (2024-10-03). "San Diego Wave FC Defender Kennedy Wesley Named September Rookie of the Month, presented by Ally | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL (in English). Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  4. ↑ "CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION 6 GIRLS SOCCER FINALS: Wesley kicks Valley Christian to school's third championship, first outright". Los Cerritos Community News. 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  5. ↑ Kopff, Loren (2017-06-30). "Valley Christian's Wesley is Gatorade's National Girls Soccer Player of the Year". Los Cerritos Community News. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  6. ↑ "Valley Christian's Kennedy Wesley named Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year". Press Telegram (in American English). 2017-06-22. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  7. ↑ "2015–16". www.scblues.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Third Star in a Thriller". Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website (in American English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  9. ↑ "Macario, Girma earn top honors on All-Pac-12 soccer team". Palo Alto Online (in American English). 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  10. 1 2 Eiwanger, Chantal (January 9, 2024). "Senior Spotlight: Kennedy Wesley reflects on breaking records and building friendships" (in American English). Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Pac-12 Women's Soccer Weekly Rundown - Nov. 9, 2022". pac-12.com (in English). 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  12. ↑ "All-Pac-12 Women's Soccer Teams and awards announced". SoccerWire (in English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  13. ↑ "Clean Sheet to Open 2023". Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website (in American English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  14. 1 2 3 "Trio Selected in NWSL Draft". Stanford University Athletics (in English). Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  15. 1 2 Emerick, Tyler (January 13, 2024). "San Diego Wave Selects Two Players in 2024 NWSL Draft". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  16. ↑ Finley, Ryan (January 13, 2024). "Wave draft Stanford defender Kennedy Wesley in first round, continue Cardinal collection". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  17. ↑ Emerick, Tyler (2024-02-08). "San Diego Wave FC Signs 2024 NWSL Draft First-Round Pick Kennedy Wesley". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  18. ↑ Krasovic, Tom (14 April 2024). "Tom Krasovic: Wave ride defense once again on road, earning scoreless draw at Louisville". San Diego Union-Tribune.
  19. ↑ Stone, Chris (14 April 2024). "16-Year-Old Makes Debut with San Diego Wave in 0-0 Draw with Racing Louisville". Times of San Diego.
  20. 1 2 Emerick, Tyler (2024-07-21). "San Diego Wave FC Defeat Bay FC 3-1 at Torero Stadium in NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  21. 1 2 Emerick, Tyler (2024-09-09). "Alex Morgan's Iconic Send-Off Highlights San Diego Wave FC's Match at Snapdragon Stadium". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  22. ↑ Grueskin, Birgen (2025-05-05). "Trinity Armstrong Strikes Late to Secure San Diego Wave Victory Against Bay FC". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  23. ↑ Grueskin, Birgen (2025-08-27). "San Diego Wave FC Re-Signs Defender Kennedy Wesley". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  24. ↑ Kennedy Wesley at FBref.com Edit this at Wikidata
  25. ↑ Grueskin, Birgen (2025-11-09). "San Diego Wave FC Eliminated in Extra Time by Portland Thorns in NWSL Quarterfinals". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  26. ↑ "NWSL Announces March Best XI of the Month, Presented by Amazon Prime" (in English). NWSL. 2026-04-03. Retrieved 2026-04-03.
  27. ↑ Grueskin, Birgen (2026-07-05). "San Diego Wave FC Secures 2-0 Win Over Gotham FC at Snapdragon Stadium". San Diego Wave FC (in American English). Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  28. ↑ "USA roster named for FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup". SoccerWire (in English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  29. ↑ "Five Things to Know About the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup". www.ussoccer.com (in English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  30. ↑ "Kennedy Wesley". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  31. ↑ "U-20 USWNT Launches World Cup Qualifying Campaign with 9-0 Win vs. Cuba" (in English). US Soccer. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  32. ↑ "U-20 USWNT beats Canada 4-0 to reach Concacaf semifinals". SoccerWire (in English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  33. ↑ Herrera, Sandra (2025-05-21). "USWNT U-23 roster: Jaedyn Shaw, Mia Fishel and Korbin Albert named to youth squad for friendlies in Germany". CBSSports.com (in English). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  34. ↑ "Hayes Names 26-Player USWNT Training Camp Roster for October Matches against Portugal and New Zealand". United States Soccer Federation. 2025-10-15. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
  35. ↑ "Emma Sears Hat Trick Leads U.S. Women's National Team to 6-0 Victory over New Zealand in First Visit to CPKC Stadium". ussoccer.com (in English). Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  36. ↑ "Kennedy Wesley scores 1st international goal and adds assist as USWNT beats Japan 3-0". AP News (in English). 2026-04-18. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  37. ↑ "USWNT closes three game series against Japan 3–0 victory in Colorado". U.S. Soccer. April 17, 2026.
  38. ↑ Emerick, Tyler (2024-03-16). "San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (in American English). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  39. ↑ "2026 Shebelieves Cup USWNT vs Columbia result". U.S. Soccer. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
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