Becky Sauerbrunn

Rebecca Elizabeth Sauerbrunn (born June 6, 1985) is an American professional soccer player for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the highest division of women's professional soccer in the United States.

Since 2021, Sauerbrunn is the captain of the United States women's national soccer team.

She helped the team win the Missouri State Cup four times as well as a Midwest Regional Championship in 2000.

Sauerbrunn attended Ladue High School, where she was a four-year letter winner in soccer, volleyball, and basketball, where she was a three-year starter at point guard.

She was named soccer team captain playing as a sweeper and central midfielder.

During her senior season, she scored 21 goals and made 19 assists.

Sauerbrunn played collegiate soccer with the Virginia Cavaliers from 2003 to 2007.

She has previously played professional soccer for Utah Royals FC, FC Kansas City, Washington Freedom, Røa IL, magicJack, and D.C. United.

While with FC Kansas City, she won two NWSL Championships.

She was named 2003 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year, 2002 and 2003 Parade All-American, 2001 NSCAA Youth All-American, and 2002 NSCAA Adidas (U-17) All-American.

Sauerbrunn attended the University of Virginia and was a member of the Virginia Cavaliers women's soccer team from 2003 to 2007.

In her freshman season in 2003, Sauerbrunn played in every game for the Cavaliers, starting all 21 of her appearances.

In her 1,970 minutes played, she made two assists.

Her first career assist came during a match against Wake Forest on October 11.

In the first round of the 2003 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament, Virginia faced William & Mary on November 14.

Virginia won the match in penalty kicks and advanced to the second round.

In the second round, Virginia faced Villanova on November 16 and lost the match in penalty kicks, halting their advancement in the tournament.

Following the 2003 season, Sauerbrunn received NSCAA All-Region honors, NSCAA All-American First Team honors, All-ACC Second Team honors, and ACC All-Freshman Team honors.

She was also named ACC Freshman of the Year for 2003.

Sauerbrunn missed the entire 2004 season due to national team obligations at the 2004 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championships in Thailand.

In the 2005 season, Sauerbrunn played in every game for the Cavaliers, starting all 25 of her appearances.

She scored her first career goal with the Cavaliers on September 16 against St. Bonaventure.

Virginia went on to win the match 7–1.

In her 2,289 minutes played, she made one goal and two assists.

In the first round of the 2005 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament, Virginia faced Liberty on November 11.

Virginia won the match 4–0 and advanced to the second round.

In the second round, Virginia faced Tennessee on November 13.

Virginia won the match 3–0 and advanced to the third round.

Virginia faced CS Fullerton in the third round and won the game 2–1.

In the quarterfinals, Virginia was defeated by UCLA on November 25.

Following the 2005 season, Sauerbrunn received NSCAA All-Region honors and All-ACC Second Team honors.

She was also named to the ACC All-Academic Team.

In the 2006 season, Sauerbrunn played in every game for the Cavaliers, starting all 21 of her appearances.

She made one appearance during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, playing during the semifinal match, a 3–1 win against France.

Sauerbrunn won gold with the national team at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and she played for the team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup where the U.S. finished in second place.

She was a starting player for the United States at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, playing every minute of all seven matches for the team.

Born to Jane and Scott Sauerbrunn in St. Louis, Missouri, Becky was raised with two older brothers, Grant and Adam.

Growing up, her brothers motivated her to step up for herself and become physically and mentally tough.

Sauerbrunn played with the JB Marine Soccer Club beginning at age 12.

She previously captained Utah Royals FC and, from 2016 to 2018, co-captained the national team with Carli Lloyd.