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Tara Rudd

From Wikipedia
Tara Rudd
human
Ein sex anaa genderfemale Edit
Ein country of citizenshipUnited States Edit
Name wey dem give amTara Edit
Family nameMcKeown Edit
Ein date of birth2 July 1999 Edit
Place dem born amNewbury Park Edit
Ein occupationassociation football player Edit
Position dem play for team top / specialitydefender Edit
Member give sports teamWashington Spirit, United States women's national under-20 association football team, United States women's national under-23 soccer team Edit
Sportfootball Edit

Tara Leana Rudd (née McKeown; born July 2, 1999) be an American professional soccer player wey dey play as a center back give National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Washington Spirit den de United States national team. She play college soccer as a forward give de USC Trojans, earning first-team All-American honors insyd 2019. Na dem draft am eighth overall by de Spirit insyd de 2021 NWSL Draft before she be converted to defender insyd 2023. Na dem name am NWSL Defender of de Year insyd 2025.

Na Rudd be a youth international give de United States, appearing at de 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, before she make ein senior debut insyd 2025.

Early life

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Born to Conor den Tracy McKeown insyd Newbury Park, California, Rudd be raised plus two sistos den one bro. She attend Newbury Park High School, wer she play soccer den compete insyd hurdles insyd track.[1] Na she be de No. 29 recruit insyd de class of 2017 by IMG Soccer Academy, No. 8 recruit insyd Southern California den de No. 4 recruit insyd de position of defender.Member of Cal South ODP Pro den State teams insyd 2011, 2012 den 2013.While she dey play give Newbury Park High School, Rudd earn CIF Southern Section First Team honors insyd 2015-16 den 2013-14, All-Ventura County First Team insyd 2015-16, Marmonte League Most Offensive Player insyd de 2015-16, Newbury Park High School Most Valuable Player (2015-16).Na dem name am de Daily News Soccer Player of de Year insyd 2015-16.She help lead team to de CIF Southern Section Division 2 semifinals for de first time insyd school history insyd 2015-16.She sanso compete insyd hurdles insyd track.

College career

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Rudd attend de University of Southern California wey she feature insyd 76 matches give de Trojans from 2017 to 2021. Insyd ein freshman year, Rudd appear insyd all 20 games during de season wey na dem include am 2017 Pac-12 All-Freshman team.[1] Insyd ein junior year, Rudd transition from playing as a fullback to a forward.[2] She fini de year plus 15 goals den 8 assists, getting named de 2019 Pac-12 Forward of de Year wey she cam be a semifinalist give de Mac Hermann Trophy. Insyd ein final year of college, Rudd start all 14 games wey she lead de team insyd assists.[3]

Club career

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Rudd plus de Washington Spirit insyd 2025

De Washington Spirit select Rudd plus de eighth overall pick insyd de first round of de 2021 NWSL Draft.[4] Earlier, de Spirit trade $100,000 insyd NWSL allocation money den ein second-round pick insyd de 2022 NWSL Draft to Sky Blue FC in order to obtain de pick.[5] After she be selected, Rudd choose to play insyd ein final year plus USC before joining de Spirit after de college soccer season conclude.[6]

On May 15, 2021, de Spirit sign Rudd to a two-year contract plus an option for a third year.[7] De next day, she make ein NWSL debut, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute for Ashley Sanchez insyd a 1–1 draw plus de Orlando Pride.[8][9] On September 26, 2021, Rudd score ein first goal give de Spirit insyd a game vs Kansas City insyd a 2–1 victory. Later insyd de season, Rudd appear insyd de 2021 NWSL Championship, helping de Spirit beat de Chicago Red Stars insyd a 2–1 result wey dem earn de first NWSL Championship win insyd club history. Rudd directly contribute to de victory, drawing a penalty insyd de 66th minute of de match after she be fouled insyd de box by Chicago defender Tierna Davidson.[10] Rudd ein teammate, Andi Sullivan, convert de penalty kick wey draw de two teams level.[11]

On January 19, 2023, de Spirit announce say de club re-sign Rudd on a three-year contract plus a team option for 2026.[12] At de start of de 2023 NWSL season, na dem convert Rudd from a forward into a center back.[13][14] Spirit general manager Mark Krikorian propose de change plus an eye toward making de national team as a defender.[15] She play insyd 21 of de 22 regular season matches give de Spirit, leading de NWSL insyd clearances.[16] On June 21, 2023, Rudd be selected as de NWSL Player of de Week after scoring 2 goals (insyd separate competitions) wey she make several important defensive actions.[17][18][19]

Rudd play every minute of de 2024 season for de Spirit, wey she cam be an iron woman for de first time.[20] During de Spirit ein quarterfinal playoff game against Bay FC, Rudd score a goal from outsyd de box insyd de 86th minute. Ein strike equalize de score at 1–1, pushing de game into extra time. De Spirit go later go on to win de match 2–1, advancing to de semifinals.[21][22] Washington go to on advance to de championship game, losing to de Orlando Pride.[23]

Washington get sam revenge for dema championship loss by defeating Orlando insyd de 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup on penalties. Rudd score de winning penalty kick insyd de shootout.[23] She play ein 100th NWSL match on August 9, 2025, insyd a 0–0 draw against Gotham FC at de age of 26. Na dem name am NWSL Defender of de Year at de end of de season.[24]

International career

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Rudd play internationally give de United States women's national under-20 soccer team. On July 17, 2018, na dem name Rudd to de roster for de 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, alongside USC teammate Savannah DeMelo.[25][26][27] Rudd appear insyd de starting lineup for de United States insyd de team ein second group stage match, versus Paraguay.[28]

Insyd 2018, sanso plus United States women's national under-20 soccer team , she experience ein first international tournament during de 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup wich take place insyd Brest insyd de department of Finistère insyd de region Brittany wey locate insyd France.

Insyd 2019, Rudd be a member of de United States women's national under-23 soccer team. She be part of de squad wey participate insyd de 2019 Women’s International U-23 La Manga Tournament.[29] Rudd be de lone goalscorer give de United States insyd ein second match of de competition, a 3–1 loss against France. Na de goal be Rudd ein first international goal at any level.[30]

Rudd receive ein first call-up to de senior national team insyd January 2025.[31] She earn ein first cap on February 20, 2025 insyd a SheBelieves Cup game against Colombia, a 2–0 win.[32]

Personal life

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Insyd December 2025, she marry Carson Rudd, a baseball player insyd de Cincinnati Reds minor league system.[33] Na dem announce say she go begin dey play using ein married name, Tara Rudd, insyd 2026.[34]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of February 9, 2025[35]
Appearances den goals by club, season den competition
Club Season League Cup Playoffs Oda Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Washington Spirit 2021 NWSL 20 1 0 0 3 0 — 23 1
2022 12 3 2 0 — — 14 3
2023 21 1 4 1 — — 25 2
2024 26 0 — 3 1 3 0 32 1
Career total 79 5 6 1 6 1 3 0 94 7

International

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As of match played March 7, 2026
National TeamYearAppsGoals
United States 202590
202630
Total120

Honors

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United States

Washington Spirit

Individual

References

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  1. 1 2 "Tara McKeown - Women's Soccer". USC Athletics (in English). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  2. ↑ Berg, Aidan (2019-09-20). "McKeown has taken the NCAA by storm". Daily Trojan (in American English). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  3. ↑ "Tara McKeown - Women's Soccer". USC Athletics (in English). Archived from the original on 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  4. ↑ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com (in English). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  5. ↑ Curley, Joe. "Newbury Park's McKeown drafted by Washington Spirit in first round of NWSL draft". Ventura County Star (in American English). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  6. ↑ Floyd, Thomas (June 30, 2021). "Amid the pandemic, Spirit's Tara McKeown makes a unusually swift college-to-pros transition". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  7. ↑ Spirit, Washington (2021-05-15). "Spirit Sign 2021 Draft Pick Tara McKeown to Rookie Contract". Washington Spirit (in American English). Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  8. ↑ "Orlando 1-1 Washington (May 16, 2021) Final Score". ESPN (in English). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  9. ↑ Carlisle, André (2021-05-16). "Recap: Spirit share points after late Orlando equalizer". Black And Red United (in English). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  10. ↑ "Chicago Red Stars fall short in the NWSL championship game, losing 2-1 to the Washington Spirit: 'It's been hard because we've had that taste in our mouth of losing in a final'". Chicago Tribune (in American English). 2021-11-20. Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  11. ↑ "NWSL final: Washington Spirit a fitting champion after overcoming year of turmoil". ESPN.com (in English). 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  12. ↑ Spirit, Washington (2023-01-19). "Washington Spirit Signs Forward Tara McKeown to New Contract". Washington Spirit (in American English). Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  13. ↑ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  14. ↑ "Washington Spirit sends Ashley Sanchez to North Carolina, trades Sam Stabb during busy draft day". WTOP News (in English). 2024-01-13. Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  15. ↑ Brockway, Ella (2024-05-17). "Tara McKeown, forward-turned-defender, fuels Spirit's strong start". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
  16. ↑ "Tara McKeown and the (actual) hardest thing to do in soccer". The District Press (in American English). 2024-02-19. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  17. ↑ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  18. ↑ Tara McKeown really DOES IT ALL! Bud Light Player of the Week ✅ | By National Women's Soccer League | Facebook (in English). Retrieved 2024-06-10 – via www.facebook.com.
  19. ↑ "Tara McKeown". Washington Spirit (in American English). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  20. ↑ "Seven NWSL Players Declared 2024 Iron Women". National Women's Soccer League. 2024-11-04. Archived from the original on 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  21. ↑ "Tara McKeown Sparks Washington Spirit Comeback Playoff Win Over Bay FC". SI (in American English). 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  22. ↑ Floyd, Thomas (November 10, 2024). "Tara McKeown's last-gasp strike saves the Spirit in playoff opener". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  23. 1 2 3 "Recap: Short-Handed Spirit Wins 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup". Washington Spirit. 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  24. 1 2 Henderson, Cydney (2025-11-19). "2025 NWSL Awards live updates: Full list of winners, highlights". USA Today. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  25. ↑ "USA Roster Named for 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup - U.S. Soccer". 2018-07-17. Archived from the original on 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  26. ↑ "USA roster set for 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup". SoccerWire (in English). Archived from the original on 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  27. ↑ "DeMelo, McKeown and Hocking to Represent USA at U-20 World Cup". USC Athletics (in English). 2024-06-06. Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  28. ↑ Yang, Stephanie (2018-08-09). "Savannah DeMelo hat trick helps buoy USA 6-0 win over Paraguay at U20 Women's World Cup". Stars and Stripes FC (in English). Archived from the original on 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  29. ↑ "U.S. U-23 Women's National Team heads to La Manga Tournament". SoccerWire (in English). Archived from the original on 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  30. ↑ "U.S. U-23 WNT Falls to France 3-1 at La Manga Tournament in Spain". www.ussoccer.com (in English). Archived from the original on 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  31. ↑ "Emma Hayes Names 26-Player Roster for U.S. Women's National Team January Training Camp in Los Angeles". United States Soccer Federation. 2025-01-07. Archived from the original on 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  32. ↑ "U.S. Women's National Team opens 2025 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa, with 2-0 win over Colombia as Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor score". US Soccer (in English). 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  33. ↑ "@taraaamckeown on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Hayes Names 26-Player USWNT Training Camp Roster For January Matches Against Paraguay And Chile". USsoccer.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  35. ↑ Tara Rudd at Soccerway. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  36. ↑ "2026 Shebelieves Cup USWNT vs Columbia result". U.S. Soccer. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  37. ↑ Davis, Wynne (2021-11-20). "Washington Spirit wins its 1st NWSL championship after 2-1 win over Chicago". NPR (in English). Archived from the original on 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
  38. ↑ NWSL (2024-11-18). "NWSL Announces Winners of 2024 NWSL Best XI Awards, presented by Amazon Prime | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL (in English). Archived from the original on 2024-11-19. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
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