Amy Rodriguez facts for kids
Rodriguez with Philadelphia Independence in 2010
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Amy Joy Rodriguez Shilling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | Amy Joy Rodriguez | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | February 17, 1987 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Lake Forest, California, United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2008 | USC Trojans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | West Coast FC | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Boston Breakers | 17 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Philadelphia Independence | 37 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | FC Kansas City | 38 | (26) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2020 | Utah Royals | 47 | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Kansas City | 10 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | North Carolina Courage | 15 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States U-17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States U-19/U-20 | 19 | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States U-21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2018 | United States | 132 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | USC Trojans (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Utah Royals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 January 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 September 2018 |
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Amy Joy Rodriguez Shilling (born February 17, 1987), also known as Amy Rodriguez, is an American soccer coach and former professional player. She played as a forward for many teams, including the North Carolina Courage and FC Kansas City. Amy was also a key player for the United States women's national soccer team. She helped her team win the Women's World Cup in 2015 and earned two Olympic gold medals. After retiring as a player, she became a coach.
Contents
Early Life and High School Soccer
Amy Rodriguez was born in Lake Forest, California. She grew up there and went to Santa Margarita Catholic High School. During her time in high school, she was recognized as one of the best soccer players in the country. She received awards like the Parade All-American in 2003 and 2004, and the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005. These awards are given to top high school athletes.
Amy's grandparents on her father's side came to the United States from Cuba in the 1950s. She has a sister named Lauren and a brother named Adam.
In 2005, Amy was considered the top high school soccer player in the nation. She scored 17 goals in 15 games during her senior year. She also won local awards, like the Orange County Register Player of the Year.
Playing for USC Trojans
Amy Rodriguez played college soccer for the USC Trojans from 2005 to 2008. She became one of the top scorers in the team's history. She was a very important player when the Trojans won their first-ever NCAA Women's Soccer Championship.
As a freshman, Amy led her team with nine goals. She was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, which means she was the best new player in her college league.
In 2006, Amy missed some games because she was playing for the U.S. under-20 national team in the U-20 World Championships. When she returned, she helped USC win a big game in the NCAA tournament.
During her junior year in 2007, Amy led the Trojans in scoring with 10 goals. She scored two goals in the NCAA Semifinals, helping USC win 2–1 and reach the championship game. She was named the NCAA College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player for her amazing performance.
In her senior year in 2008, Amy missed the first few games because she was playing for the United States women's national soccer team at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where she won a gold medal. She was still USC's top scorer that season with eight goals.
Professional Club Career
Amy Rodriguez played for several professional soccer clubs during her career.
West Coast FC (2008)
Amy was supposed to play for West Coast FC in 2008. However, a teammate's injury led to Amy being called up to the United States women's national soccer team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Because of this, she never played a game for West Coast FC.
Boston Breakers (2009)
After the Olympics, Amy was the very first player chosen in the 2009 WPS Draft for the new top women's soccer league, Women's Professional Soccer. She joined the Boston Breakers. In her first season, she played in 17 games and scored one goal.
Philadelphia Independence (2009–2011)
In 2009, Amy was traded to a new team, the Philadelphia Independence.
In 2010, Amy had a fantastic season, scoring 12 goals and making six assists. She was named the WPS Player of the Month in June 2010. She was one of the top scorers in the league and helped her team reach the playoffs. She was also chosen for the WPS Best XI (a team of the best players) and the WPS All-Star Game.
In 2011, her season was shorter because she was playing for the national team. She scored two goals for the Independence during the regular season. She also scored in both of Philadelphia's playoff matches, including a goal in the championship game that sent it to overtime.
FC Kansas City (2013–2017)
In 2013, Amy was assigned to Seattle Reign FC in the new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). However, she announced she was pregnant and would miss the 2013 season. She was later traded to FC Kansas City.
On August 31, 2014, Amy scored two goals for FC Kansas City in the NWSL Championship game against Seattle Reign FC. Her goals helped her team win the championship. In 2015, FC Kansas City reached the championship again, and Amy scored the winning goal. She was named the MVP of that match.
Amy missed the 2016 NWSL season because she was pregnant with her second child. She returned to FC Kansas City for the 2017 NWSL season. In the first game, she scored a goal but then suffered a serious knee injury (torn ACL) and missed the rest of the season.
Utah Royals FC (2018–2020)
After FC Kansas City stopped operating, Amy's playing rights were moved to the Utah Royals. She joined the Royals in February 2018, starting the season on the disabled list while recovering from her knee injury. She made her debut in April and scored her first goal for Utah a week later. She finished the season with 5 goals.
On June 15, 2019, Amy scored an amazing goal against Sky Blue FC. She ran with the ball for a long distance and then shot from far away into the top corner of the net. This goal was so good that it was nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award, which is given for the most beautiful goal of the year.
North Carolina Courage (2021)
On July 22, 2021, Amy was traded from Kansas City to the North Carolina Courage.
International Career
Amy Rodriguez played for several United States national youth teams before joining the senior team.
Youth National Teams
She played in two FIFA youth championships: the 2004 U-19 World Championship and the 2006 U-20 World Championship. She played for the U-17, U-19/U-20, and U-21 teams.
Senior National Team
Amy's first game for the United States women's national soccer team was on March 11, 2005, against Finland. She was still in high school at the time.
In 2008, Amy played in 26 matches for the national team. She scored her first two goals for the senior team against Canada and another against Norway. She scored six goals and had seven assists that year, including two winning goals against Brazil.
2008 Beijing Olympics
By the spring of 2008, Amy was a regular forward for the team. She started four out of five games at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She scored a goal against New Zealand. Amy also provided the assist for Carli Lloyd's winning goal in the gold medal match, helping the U.S. team win the Olympic title.
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
In 2011, Amy started all 18 games she played for the United States. She scored four goals and had three assists. She played in her first FIFA Women's World Cup at the senior level, starting the first five matches.
Amy scored a very important goal in a playoff series against Italy, which helped the U.S. team win 1–0 and qualify for the World Cup.
2012 London Olympics
Amy scored five goals in one game against the Dominican Republic during the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying match. The U.S. won that game 14–0. Her five goals set a record for the most goals scored by one player in a CONCACAF Olympic qualifying match.
Amy was part of the team that competed in the 2012 London Olympics. She played in four matches as a substitute and earned her second Olympic gold medal.
On December 8, 2012, Amy played her 100th game for the senior national team. This is a special milestone for soccer players.
2013–2014 Seasons
In January 2013, Amy announced she was pregnant with her first child and would miss the entire 2013 season. She returned to the National Team in January 2014. She played in 12 matches in 2014 and scored 2 goals.
2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
Amy was part of the United States team for the 2015 Algarve Cup, where she scored a goal against Switzerland. The U.S. team won the Algarve Cup. In April, Amy was named to the final 23-player roster for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. This was her second time playing in a World Cup.
At the 2015 World Cup, Amy played in two matches. She started in the quarterfinal match against China PR, which the U.S. won 1–0. The United States went on to win the 2015 World Cup by defeating Japan 5–2.
2016–2018 Seasons
In January 2016, Amy announced she was expecting her second child and would miss the 2016 Olympics. After giving birth, she returned to the National Team in April 2017. However, she tore her ACL in a club match and missed the rest of 2017.
After recovering from her knee injury, Amy was called up in June 2018 for friendly matches. She was also named to the roster for the 2018 Tournament of Nations, which the U.S. won.
Retirement from Playing
On January 28, 2022, Amy Rodriguez announced that she was retiring from playing professional soccer.
Coaching Career
Even before retiring as a player, Amy started preparing for a coaching career.
USC Trojans (Assistant Coach)
After announcing her retirement from playing, Amy became an assistant coach for the women's soccer team at her old university. She held this role from 2022 to 2023.
Utah Royals FC (Head Coach)
On April 20, 2023, the new Utah Royals FC team announced that Amy Rodriguez would be their first head coach when the team returned to the NWSL in 2024. Amy had played with the team's president, Michelle Hyncik, when they were younger.
Amy was the head coach of the Utah Royals until June 30, 2024, when she was relieved of her duties.
Awards and Honors
International Achievements
- Olympic Gold Medal: 2008, 2012
- FIFA Women's World Cup: 2015 (Winner); 2011 (Runner-up)
- CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2014
- CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2012
- Algarve Cup: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2015
- Four Nations Tournament: 2008, 2011
- Tournament of Nations: 2018
Club Achievements
- with FC Kansas City
- NWSL Championship: 2014, 2015
Individual Awards
- WPS Player of the Month: June 2010
- WPS Best XI: 2010
- WPS All-Star Team: 2010
- NWSL Best XI: 2014
- NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player: 2015
- FIFA Puskás Award nominee: 2019
Personal Life
Amy Rodriguez is often called "A-Rod" by her teammates and soccer commentators.
She married Adam Shilling, who was also an athlete at USC, on October 8, 2011. On August 6, 2013, their first son, Ryan John Shilling, was born. Amy and her husband are devout Christians. Their second son, Luke Shilling, was born on July 1, 2016.
Images for kids
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Amy Rodriguez
See also
In Spanish: Amy Rodriguez para niños
