Abby Smith facts for kids
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Smith at the White House in 2024
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Abigail Mackenzie Smith | ||
| Date of birth | October 4, 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Portland, Oregon, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
|
Current team
|
Houston Dash | ||
| Number | 35 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2012 | Dallas Texans | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2015 | Texas Longhorns | 72 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2017 | Boston Breakers | 21 | (0) |
| 2018–2020 | Utah Royals | 20 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | → WS Wanderers (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| 2021 | Kansas City | 1 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Portland Thorns | 1 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 14 | (0) |
| 2025– | Houston Dash | 5 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2009–2010 | United States U17 | ||
| 2011–2012 | United States U20 | ||
| 2013–2016 | United States U23 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:48, July 6, 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 7, 2018 |
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Abigail Mackenzie Smith (born October 4, 1993) is an American professional soccer player. She is a goalkeeper for the Houston Dash team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Abby has played for several NWSL teams, including the Boston Breakers, Utah Royals, Kansas City Current, and Portland Thorns. She also played for the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia. She played college soccer for the Texas Longhorns. Abby has won two NWSL Championships: with the Portland Thorns in 2022 and with NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2023.
She has also played for the United States national soccer teams at different age levels, including the under-17, under-20, and under-23 teams.
Early Life and Youth Soccer
Abby Smith grew up in Plano, Texas. She started playing soccer when she was in elementary school. From 2005 to 2012, she played club soccer for the Dallas Texans 94 Red Soccer Club.
Her team was ranked first nationally in the ESPNHS Elite Clubs National League during the 2011–12 season. Abby was the team captain for four years. She helped her team win the Nike Cup in Portland, Oregon, and the Gothia Cup in Sweden in 2008.
Olympic Development Program
Abby was part of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2005 to 2010. She was also a member of the Region III ODP Team. In 2009, she played in the US Youth Soccer (USYS) Region III championship finals. She won the USYS ODP National Championship Golden Glove award.
High School Achievements
Abby attended Plano West High School. She was the starting goalkeeper for the girls' soccer team. She graduated early to focus on playing for the national team.
She was named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Youth All-America honoree in 2010 and 2011. She was also named Parade Magazine All-American in 2010. Top Drawer Soccer ranked her as the 13th-best player in the United States. ESPNHS ranked her fifth among college prospects nationwide.
College Soccer Career
Abby Smith played college soccer for the Texas Longhorns at the University of Texas from 2012 to 2015.
Freshman Year Success
In her first year, she became the starting goalkeeper for the last 12 games. She only allowed 8 goals and made 34 saves. She set a new record for a Texas rookie goalkeeper with the lowest goals-against average (0.63). She also tied the school record for shutouts by a freshman with seven. Her save percentage of .810 was the best in the Big 12 Conference. She helped her team's defense allow the fewest goals (five) in the Big 12 Conference.
Sophomore and Junior Seasons
During her second year, Abby started all 20 matches and scored her first goal. She had a 0.78 goals-against average and made 72 saves with eight shutouts. She scored her first goal from a 50-yard free kick.
In 2014, Abby recorded nine shutouts, which tied the school record for a single season. Her 24 career shutouts ranked second in school history. She was named to the All Big-12 Conference first team. She finished her junior season with a 0.92 goals-against average. Her 98 saves were the most in the Big 12 Conference.
Senior Year Highlights
In her senior year, Abby was a national finalist for the 2015 Senior Class Award. She was also named to the All-Big 12 Conference First-Team Academic team. She was named ESPNW Player of the Week in October 2015.
Abby ranked first in the Big 12 Conference for total saves with 96. Her 30th career shutout in October set a new school record. She scored her third career goal, which was a game-winner, from a long punt against the University of Miami.
Professional Club Career
Boston Breakers (2016–2017)
The Boston Breakers drafted Abby Smith in 2016. She signed with the team in April 2016. In May 2016, she suffered a serious knee injury that ended her season.
Abby recovered and became the starting goalkeeper for the 2017 season. She played in 19 games for the Breakers that year.
Utah Royals (2018–2020)
After the Boston Breakers team closed, Abby was chosen by the Utah Royals in January 2018. She played in 17 games for the Royals. In May, she was named to the NWSL Team of the Month after helping the Royals get their first win and three shutouts. She signed a new contract in March 2019.
Loan to Western Sydney Wanderers (2019–2020)
To get more playing time, Abby went on loan to the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia. She played in eight matches, keeping three clean sheets. She helped the club reach the W-League finals for the first time.
KC NWSL (2021)
In 2021, Abby joined KC NWSL. She played six league games for Kansas City. In August 2021, she was traded to the Portland Thorns.
Portland Thorns FC (2021–2022)
Abby did not play in any league games for the Portland Thorns in 2021. In 2022, she played one league match and two Challenge Cup matches. The Thorns finished second in the league and won the 2022 NWSL Championship. After the 2022 season, Abby became a free agent.
NJ/NY Gotham FC (2023–Present)
NJ/NY Gotham FC signed Abby Smith to a three-year contract on November 28, 2022. She started in 15 league matches, keeping four clean sheets. She won Team of the Month honors in May.
On August 19, 2023, she suffered a season-ending injury during a game against the San Diego Wave. Gotham FC went on to win the 2023 NWSL Championship. Abby returned to play on October 25, 2024, as a substitute in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup Final. She joined the Houston Dash in 2025.
International Career
Abby Smith has played for the United States national soccer teams at the under-17, under-20, and under-23 levels. She was called up to the USWNT for friendly games in May 2017 and March 2018, but she has not yet played in an official match for the senior team.
Awards and Honors
NJ/NY Gotham FC
- NWSL Championship: 2023
Portland Thorns FC
- NWSL Championship: 2022
Individual Awards
- NWSL Player of the Week: Week 7, 2023
- NWSL Team of the Month: May 2018, May 2023
 | Kyle Baker |
 | Joseph Yoakum |
 | Laura Wheeler Waring |
 | Henry Ossawa Tanner |
