Karina LeBlanc facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Karina LeBlanc
CM

LeBlanc in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Karina Chenelle LeBlanc
Date of birth	(1980-03-30) March 30, 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height	1.73 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2003	Boston Breakers	2	(0)
2004	Montreal Xtreme	1	(0)
2005–2006	New Jersey Wildcats	18	(0)
2009	Los Angeles Sol	19	(0)
2010	Philadelphia Independence	14	(0)
2011	magicJack	1	(0)
2012	Sky Blue FC	0	(0)
2013	Portland Thorns FC	21	(0)
2014–2015	Chicago Red Stars	29	(0)
National team‡
1998–2015	Canada	110	(0)
Honours Women's soccer Representing  Canada Olympic Games Bronze 2012 London Team Pan American Games Bronze 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team Gold 2011 Guadalajara Team
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 6, 2015. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of May 31, 2015

Karina Chenelle LeBlanc (born March 30, 1980) is a famous Canadian soccer player. She was an amazing goalkeeper. Karina played for the Canadian national team for many years. She also played for several professional women's teams in the United States. After retiring from playing, she became a general manager for a soccer club.

Early Life and Soccer Beginnings

Karina LeBlanc was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. Her parents were from Dominica and Jamaica. They had moved to Atlanta to stay safe from Hurricane David.

Karina grew up in Dominica until she was eight years old. Then, her family moved to Maple Ridge, British Columbia, in Canada. She started playing soccer when she was 12. Even though her high school didn't have a girls' soccer team, she was recognized as a top player. She was also a great basketball player.

Playing for the University of Nebraska

Karina went to the University of Nebraska. She studied business administration there. From 1997 to 2000, she played as a goalkeeper for the Nebraska Cornhuskers soccer team.

She became one of the best goalkeepers in the school's history. Karina was named an All-American player. This means she was one of the top college players in the country.

Professional Club Career

Karina LeBlanc played for many professional soccer teams. She spent 14 years playing at the highest level.

Playing for Boston Breakers

Karina started her professional career with the Boston Breakers. This team was part of the Women's United Soccer Association. It was the first professional women's soccer league in the United States.

Teams in Montreal and New Jersey

In 2004, she played for the Montreal Xtreme in Canada. After that, she joined the New Jersey Wildcats from 2005 to 2006.

Time with Los Angeles Sol

In 2009, Karina was chosen by the Los Angeles Sol in a special draft. She played in 19 games for the team that season. She was so good that she was named to the 2009 WPS All-Star Team.

Playing for Philadelphia Independence

LeBlanc playing for the Philadelphia Independence in 2010

In 2010, Karina moved to the Philadelphia Independence team. She was a key player for them.

Joining magicJack

In 2011, Karina signed with a team called magicJack. She became their goalkeeper when their main player was injured.

With Sky Blue FC

Karina was set to play for Sky Blue FC in 2012. However, the league she played in, WPS, stopped operating before the season began.

Winning with Portland Thorns FC

LeBlanc played for the Portland Thorns in 2013, winning the NWSL Championship that year.

In 2013, Karina joined the Portland Thorns FC. This team was part of a new league called the National Women's Soccer League. That year, she helped the Thorns win the NWSL Championship. It was a big win for her and the team!

Final Years with Chicago Red Stars

In 2014, Karina was traded to the Chicago Red Stars. She continued to play strongly, making many saves. In 2015, she played fewer games because she was busy with the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

At the end of the 2015 season, Karina LeBlanc decided to retire from professional soccer. In her very last professional game, she played so well that she was named the NWSL Player of the Week.

International Career for Canada

Karina LeBlanc had a long and successful career playing for Canada. She played in five FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments.

She also played in the 2008 Olympics. Karina helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games. She famously stopped two penalty shots in the final game!

In March 2012, Karina played her 100th game for Canada. Later that year, she helped the Canadian team win a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Before the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Karina announced that she would retire from international soccer after the tournament.

Life After Playing Soccer

After retiring from playing, Karina LeBlanc stayed involved in soccer.

Coaching Career

From 2005 to 2009, Karina was an assistant coach at Rutgers University. She also coached goalkeepers for Canada's under-15 national team. She even created special training programs for goalkeepers across North America.

Management Career

In 2018, Karina was hired by CONCACAF to lead women's soccer programs. CONCACAF is the organization that runs soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

In 2021, she became the general manager of the Portland Thorns FC. Her predecessor had left the role due to important issues that came up.

Achievements and Awards

Karina LeBlanc has received many honors for her contributions to soccer.

• Portland Thorns FC
  • NWSL Championship: 2013

• Individual Awards
  • She was inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame in 2022.
  • In 2022, she received the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors in Canada. She was recognized for her impact on soccer around the world and for using soccer to bring positive change.

Personal Life

Karina LeBlanc grew up as a Roman Catholic. Later, in college, she became a Baptist. She married Jason Mathot in October 2016. On March 24, 2020, they welcomed their daughter, Paris.

See also

• List of Olympic medalists in football
• List of women's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA Women's World Cups
• List of 2012 Summer Olympics medal winners
• List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors
• List of Canadian sports personalities
• List of Canada women's international soccer players
• List of 2011 Pan American Games medalists
• List of Los Angeles Sol players
• List of Chicago Red Stars players
• List of Philadelphia Independence players
• List of Portland Thorns FC players