Becky Sauerbrunn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Becky Sauerbrunn

Sauerbrunn with the United States in 2020
Personal information
Full name	Rebecca Elizabeth Sauerbrunn
Date of birth	(1985-06-06) June 6, 1985 (age 40)
Place of birth	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height	5 ft 7 in
Playing position	Center back
Youth career
	Jefferson Barracks Marine
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2005	Boston Renegades	11	(1)
2006–2007	Richmond Kickers Destiny	24	(3)
2008–2010	Washington Freedom	50	(1)
2009	→ Røa IL (loan)	5	(1)
2011	magicJack	13	(0)
2012	D.C. United	4	(1)
2013–2017	FC Kansas City	93	(3)
2018–2019	Utah Royals	30	(1)
2020–2024	Portland Thorns	33	(1)
National team‡
2000–2002	United States U-16
2003–2004	United States U-19
2005–2009	United States U-23
2008–2024	United States	219	(0)
Honours Women's soccer Representing the  United States CONCACAF W Gold Cup Winner 2024 United States FIFA Women's World Cup Gold 2015 Canada Team Gold 2019 France Team Silver 2011 Germany Team Olympic Games Gold 2012 London Team Bronze 2020 Tokyo Team
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 29, 2022. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of February 26, 2024

Rebecca "Becky" Elizabeth Sauerbrunn (born June 6, 1985) is an American former professional soccer player. She was a strong center back (a defensive player) for many teams. Becky was a co-captain of the U.S. National Team from 2016 to 2018. Later, she became the team's captain from 2021 to 2023.

Becky played college soccer for the Virginia Cavaliers. She then started her professional career with the Washington Freedom in 2010. When the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) began in 2013, Becky helped FC Kansas City win two championships. She was named the NWSL Defender of the Year four times. She also won a third championship with Portland Thorns FC before retiring in 2024.

Sauerbrunn achieved great success with the U.S. National Team. She won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. She also won two FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. She played every minute of the 2015 World Cup, showing her importance to the team.

Becky's Early Life and Soccer Start

Becky Sauerbrunn was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents are Jane and Scott Sauerbrunn. She grew up with two older brothers, Grant and Adam. Her brothers helped her become strong both physically and mentally.

Becky started playing soccer with the JB Marine Soccer Club when she was 12. She helped her team win the Missouri State Cup four times. They also won a Midwest Regional Championship in 2000.

High School Sports

Becky went to Ladue High School. She was a star athlete in soccer, volleyball, and basketball. In soccer, she played as a sweeper and central midfielder. She was also the team captain.

During her last year, she scored 21 goals and had 19 assists. She received many awards, including Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003. She was also named a Parade All-American in 2002 and 2003.

College Years at the University of Virginia (2003–2007)

Becky attended the University of Virginia and played for the Virginia Cavaliers women's soccer team. She played from 2003 to 2007.

In her first year (2003), Becky played in every game. She was named ACC Freshman of the Year. She also received All-American honors.

She missed the 2004 season to play for the U.S. U-20 National Team. In 2005, she returned and scored her first college goal. She continued to earn All-Region and All-ACC honors.

By 2007, her final year, Becky was a top player. She was named NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also won ACC Player of the Year. She helped her team reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament multiple times.

Becky's Professional Club Career

Becky Sauerbrunn played for several professional soccer clubs. She was known for her strong defense.

Early Club Teams (2005–2012)

In 2005, Becky played for the Boston Renegades in the W-League. This league allowed college players to keep their eligibility.

From 2006 to 2007, she played for Richmond Kickers Destiny. She made 24 appearances and even scored three goals as a defender.

She joined the Washington Freedom in 2008. In 2009, the Freedom joined the new Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league. Becky was a top pick in the draft. She started all 20 games for the team.

Later in 2009, she played for Røa IL in Norway for three months. She helped them win the league championship. She also played in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Becky returned to the Washington Freedom in 2010. In 2011, the team changed its name to magicJack. Becky continued to play for them until the WPS league had problems and eventually closed.

In 2012, she briefly played for D.C. United Women in the W-League. She helped them finish first in their conference.

FC Kansas City (2013–2017)

In 2013, a new league called the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) started. Becky was assigned to FC Kansas City. She was named co-captain.

In her first NWSL season (2013), she played in 19 games. She was named NWSL Defender of the Year. She also made the NWSL Best XI team.

In 2014, she helped Kansas City win the NWSL Championship. She scored her first NWSL goal that year. She won Defender of the Year again.

In 2015, she helped Kansas City win another NWSL Championship. She became the first player to win Defender of the Year three times in a row.

Utah Royals FC (2018–2019)

After FC Kansas City stopped playing, Becky's rights went to Utah. She continued to be a top defender. She was named to the NWSL Team of the Month several times. In 2019, she won Defender of the Year for a fourth time.

Portland Thorns FC (2020–2024)

In 2020, Becky joined Portland Thorns FC. She signed a new contract with them in 2022.

On June 19, 2022, she scored her first goal for the Thorns. This was in a big 6–0 win.

Becky was also a strong voice for player safety. After a report about abuse in the league came out, she spoke up. She said that anyone who failed to protect players should be gone. She signed a new contract with the Thorns in late 2022.

Becky's International Career

Becky Sauerbrunn played for the United States National Team at different age levels.

Youth National Teams

Becky played for the U.S. U-16 team from 2000 to 2002. She then moved up to the U-19 team in 2003. She traveled to Europe with the team.

In 2004, she was a co-captain of the U-19 team. She helped them qualify for the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship. She played every minute of all six games in that tournament. The U.S. team finished in third place.

After that, she played for the U-21 and U-23 national teams. She helped the U.S. win the Nordic Cup in 2007 and 2008.

Senior National Team Debut

Becky was first called up to the senior national team in 2008. She earned her first "cap" (played her first game) against Canada on January 16, 2008.

Return to the National Team (2010)

Becky returned to the national team in late 2010. She played in the CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament.

2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

In 2011, Becky was part of the team for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She played in the semifinal match against France. The U.S. team reached the final but lost to Japan.

2012 Summer Olympics Gold Medal

Sauerbrunn with the United States national team before a game in February 2012

Becky helped the U.S. team win the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament. This earned them a spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

She made her Olympic debut on July 31, 2012. She played in the semifinal and the gold medal match. The U.S. won the gold medal by defeating Japan 2–1.

Consistent Starter (2013–2014)

From 2013 to 2014, Becky was a regular starter for the national team. She played in many games and was a key defender. In 2014, she reached 50 appearances for the national team. She helped the U.S. win the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship, which qualified them for the 2015 World Cup.

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Champion

Sauerbrunn playing in 2015

In 2015, Becky played every minute of all seven matches for the U.S. during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. On July 5, she became a World Cup Champion when the U.S. defeated Japan 5–2 in the final.

2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Becky was named co-captain of the national team with Carli Lloyd. She made her 100th appearance for the national team in February 2016. She played in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The U.S. team reached the quarterfinals but lost to Sweden in penalty kicks.

2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Champion

In May 2019, Becky was named to the team for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. She played in six of the seven matches. The United States won the World Cup again, defeating the Netherlands 2–0. This was the team's second straight World Cup title.

Advocacy for Players

Becky Sauerbrunn was also very active in fighting for equal pay for women's soccer players. In 2016, she and four other players filed a complaint about wage differences.

She was involved in talks about player contracts for several years. In 2020, she was named the first president of the players' association. In 2022, she spoke at the signing of a new contract. She called it a "huge win for workers and for labor rights."

Retirement

On December 17, 2024, Becky Sauerbrunn announced her retirement from soccer. She had a 16-year career. She said, "Sixteen years ago I woke up dreaming and I haven't slept since. That makes it sound easy. It was never easy. But even so, I'd run it back."

Personal Life

Becky Sauerbrunn has been in a relationship with Zola Short since 2011. Zola is also a soccer player she met in college. Becky loves cats and has two cats named Missy and Olive. She also enjoys reading books.

Honors and Awards

Røa IL

• Toppserien: 2009

FC Kansas City

• NWSL Championship: 2014, 2015

Portland Thorns FC

• NWSL Community Shield: 2020
• NWSL Challenge Cup: 2021
• International Champions Cup: 2021
• NWSL Shield: 2021
• NWSL Championship: 2022

United States

• FIFA Women's World Cup: 2015, 2019
• CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
• CONCACAF W Gold Cup: 2024
• CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2012, 2016, 2020
• Summer Olympics: Gold Medal: 2012; Bronze Medal: 2020
• SheBelieves Cup: 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Algarve Cup: 2011, 2013, 2015
• Four Nations Tournament: 2008, 2011
• Nordic Cup: 2007, 2008
• Tournament of Nations: 2018

Individual

• NSCAA Youth All-American: 2001
• Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year: 2003
• ACC Freshman of the Year: 2003
• ACC Player of the Year: 2007
• NWSL Defender of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
• NWSL Best XI: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Images for kids

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  Sauerbrunn with magicJack during a match against the Boston Breakers on August 6, 2011