Kristie Mewis facts for kids

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Kristie Mewis

Mewis in 2022

Personal information

Full name

Kristen Anne Mewis

Date of birth

February 25, 1991 (age 35)

Place of birth

Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.

Height

5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)

Position(s)

Midfielder

Youth career

SC Scorpions

College career

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

2009–2012

Boston College Eagles

(33)

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

2013

Canberra United FC

(2)

2013

FC Kansas City

(1)

2014–2016

Boston Breakers

(10)

2014

→ Iga FC Kunoichi (loan)

(5)

2015–2016

→ Bayern Munich (loan)

(1)

2017

Washington Spirit

(2)

2017

Chicago Red Stars

(1)

2017–2021

Houston Dash

(11)

2022–2023

NJ/NY Gotham FC

(2)

2023–2025

West Ham United

(0)

International career

2008

United States U17

(9)

2009–2010

United States U20

(6)

United States U23

2013–2023

United States

(7)

Medal record

Olympic Games

	2020 Tokyo	Team
CONCACAF W Championship
Winner	2022 Mexico

*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kristen Anne Mewis (born February 25, 1991) is an American professional soccer player. She plays as a midfielder and has competed at the highest levels of club and international soccer. Mewis played for the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT), winning an Olympic bronze medal.

Mewis is famous for her strong passing, vision on the field, and determination. She overcame severe injuries during her career to play in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Her younger sister, Sam Mewis, is also a famous professional soccer player. Together, they made history as a dynamic sibling duo representing the United States in international tournaments.

Early Life and Youth Development

Growing Up in Massachusetts

Kristie Mewis was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and grew up in the town of Hanson, Massachusetts. From an early age, soccer was a major part of her life. She grew up in a very athletic household where both parents encouraged active outdoor sports.

Kristie and her younger sister Sam practiced together almost every single day. They pushed each other to improve their footwork, speed, and game awareness. Their friendly sibling rivalry helped both of them develop the skills needed to become elite athletes.

High School Achievements

Mewis attended Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, where she starred on the varsity soccer team. During her high school career, she scored an amazing 74 goals and provided 34 assists. Her incredible scoring ability made her one of the top young players in the country.

Mewis earned many honors while in high school. She was named a three-time NSCAA All-American and was selected to the All-New England team three times. In 2008, she was awarded the NSCAA Youth Player of the Year. She was also chosen as the US Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year.

In 2009, Mewis was selected for the prestigious Parade All-America high school soccer team. In addition to soccer, she was a standout track athlete. She set school indoor track records in both the 300-meter and 600-meter running events.

College Soccer at Boston College

Mewis chose to play college soccer for the Boston College Eagles from 2009 to 2012. College soccer in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is known for being fast and physical. Mewis quickly proved she could compete with top collegiate players.

During her freshman year in 2009, Mewis played in 23 games. She scored five goals and provided six assists. She showed great versatility by playing both in the midfield and stepping back to help on defense when injuries occurred. Her great performance earned her a spot on the All-ACC Freshmen Team.

In her sophomore year in 2010, Mewis started all 25 games for the Eagles. She led the entire ACC conference with 101 total shots. She scored ten goals and tied for the ACC lead with 14 assists. Mewis set a school record by recording either a goal or an assist in 11 consecutive matches. She was named a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, the award given to the top college soccer player in the nation.

As a junior in 2011, Mewis led Boston College with eight goals and six assists. She averaged more than four shots per game and spent over 1,500 minutes on the pitch. She was voted an NSCAA Division 1 All-American and earned first-team All-ACC honors.

During her senior season in 2012, Mewis reached new heights. She scored a career-high 16 goals and added 12 assists, finishing with 44 points. She recorded a memorable hat-trick (three goals in one game) against Harvard University. When she graduated, Mewis was Boston College's all-time scoring leader with 116 points, having scored 39 goals and 38 assists in her college career.

Professional Club Soccer Career

Starting Out in Australia and the NWSL

In early 2013, Mewis traveled abroad to play professional soccer in Australia. She signed with Canberra United FC in the W-League for the end of their season. She played two matches and scored two goals, making an immediate impact overseas.

Later in 2013, Mewis entered the 2013 NWSL College Draft. She was selected third overall in the first round by FC Kansas City. This was the very first season of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Mewis played a key role during FC Kansas City's inaugural season. She started in 20 regular season games, helping the team finish second in the league table. She scored her first NWSL goal on May 8, 2013, helping her team win 3–2 against Portland Thorns FC. The team reached the playoffs, gaining valuable experience for the young midfielder.

Boston Breakers and Overseas Loans

Before the 2014 season, Mewis was traded to her hometown team, the Boston Breakers. Playing near home allowed her family and local fans to cheer her on regularly. She played 15 games and scored three goals during her first year with Boston.

In late 2014, Mewis traveled to Japan to play on loan with Iga FC Kunoichi. Playing in Japan helped her learn a quick, highly technical style of passing and movement. She was very successful, scoring five goals in just seven games.

In August 2015, Mewis went on another international loan, this time joining German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Playing in Europe gave her experience against top international talent and added new layers to her tactical understanding of the sport. She returned to Boston and played through the 2016 season.

Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars

In November 2016, Mewis was traded to the Washington Spirit. She made 14 appearances and scored two goals for Washington during the 2017 season. Her ability to control the tempo in midfield made her a valuable player across the league.

In August 2017, Mewis was traded to the Chicago Red Stars. In an unusual turn of events, her first match for Chicago was played against her former team, the Washington Spirit. Mewis scored a first-half goal to help Chicago win the game. Just days later, she was involved in another major trade.

Success and Leadership with Houston Dash

On August 30, 2017, Mewis was traded to the Houston Dash. Houston would become the team where Mewis truly blossomed as an elite professional player and team leader.

Mewis played well during the rest of 2017 and began the 2018 season in top form. She was voted onto the NWSL Team of the Month for May 2018. However, during a match later that month, Mewis suffered a major injury: a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee.

A torn ACL is one of the toughest injuries an athlete can face. It requires surgery and many months of painful physical therapy. Mewis took this difficult challenge and used it to transform her work ethic and focus. She dedicated herself entirely to her recovery, working hard in the gym and studying game film.

Mewis returned to the field in May 2019 stronger, faster, and more determined than ever. She played 22 games in 2019 and scored four goals. In 2020, her hard work paid off when she helped lead the Houston Dash to victory in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, which was the first major championship trophy in club history.

Gotham FC and NWSL Championship

In late 2021, Mewis was drafted by San Diego Wave FC during the expansion draft and was immediately traded to NJ/NY Gotham FC. Mewis brought her veteran experience and calm midfield control to the New York/New Jersey club.

During the 2023 NWSL season, Mewis helped lead Gotham FC on an exciting playoff run. In the semifinal match against Portland Thorns FC, Mewis delivered a crucial assist to teammate Katie Stengel, leading to a 1–0 win. Gotham FC advanced to the championship final and won the league title.

West Ham United

In December 2023, Mewis decided to take on a new challenge by signing with West Ham United in the English Women's Super League (WSL). The WSL is one of the most competitive women's soccer leagues in the world.

Mewis made her debut for West Ham on January 21, 2024, coming on as a second-half substitute and immediately providing an assist. She brought veteran leadership to the squad during her time in England. Mewis departed the club in the summer of 2025 following the end of her contract.

International Soccer Career

Youth National Teams

Mewis began representing the United States at the youth international level when she was a teenager. She was named co-captain of the United States U-17 team for the inaugural 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup held in New Zealand.

Mewis had a fantastic tournament in New Zealand, scoring two goals and leading the United States all the way to the final match. Her outstanding play earned her the Bronze Ball award as the tournament's third-best overall player.

Mewis also represented the United States at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Germany. Her younger sister Sam was also on both the U-17 and U-20 World Cup squads. They made history by becoming the first pair of sisters to play together for the United States at a youth FIFA World Cup tournament.

Senior National Team and the Great Comeback

Mewis received her first call-up to the senior United States women's national soccer team in early 2013 under head coach Tom Sermanni. She made her official international debut on February 9, 2013, in a match against Scotland.

On June 15, 2013, Mewis scored her first international goal for the senior team during a friendly match against South Korea. The match took place near her hometown in Massachusetts, making the goal extra special for her family and friends in attendance.

After 2014, Mewis was not called up to the national team for several years. Many players would have given up on their international dreams, but Mewis kept working hard in the NWSL. After overcoming her 2018 knee injury and leading Houston to the 2020 Challenge Cup title, her strong form caught the attention of national team coach Vlatko Andonovski.

In November 2020, after a five-year absence from the team, Mewis returned to the USWNT for a match against the Netherlands. She came on as a substitute and scored a fantastic goal in the 70th minute. The goal came 2,722 days after her first international goal in 2013, setting a new USWNT record for the longest time between goals by a player.

Olympic Bronze and World Cup

In the summer of 2021, Mewis was selected to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Kristie and her sister Sam both played in the tournament, making them the first sisters to win an Olympic medal together for the USWNT as they earned the bronze medal.

In 2022, Mewis helped the United States win the CONCACAF W Championship in Mexico, scoring two goals during the tournament. This victory helped the United States qualify for the Olympic Games and the World Cup.

In June 2023, Mewis was named to the United States roster for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In the knockout round match against Sweden, Mewis was brought onto the pitch in the final minute of extra time to take a penalty in the shootout. Showing great composure under immense pressure, she scored her penalty kick.

Playing Style and Field Position

Kristie Mewis plays primarily as a central midfielder, but she has also played as an attacking midfielder, a winger, and a defender. Her versatility makes her very valuable to coaches.

Key elements of Mewis's playing style include:

Vision and Passing: Mewis is known for her left foot, which allows her to deliver accurate long passes, corner kicks, and crosses into the penalty box.
Physicality and Work Rate: She covers a large amount of ground during 90 minutes, tackling opponents and regaining possession of the ball.
Mental Toughness: Her ability to return to elite international soccer after major knee surgery is seen as an inspiration to younger athletes dealing with setbacks.

Family and Media Appearances

Mewis comes from an athletic family. Her younger sister, Sam Mewis, was a fellow member of the United States national soccer team.

Mewis is married to Australian professional soccer player Sam Kerr. The couple married in December 2025, and they have a son born in May 2025.

In December 2023, Mewis was featured in the Netflix documentary series Under Pressure: The U.S. Women's World Cup Team. The documentary gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the daily training, teamwork, and mental challenges faced by professional soccer players during a major international tournament.

Images for kids

Kristie Mewis warming up at Candlestick Park in 2013

Career Statistics

International Goals

The table below lists the goals scored by Kristie Mewis while representing the United States senior national team:

No.	Cap	Date	Venue	Opponent	Minute	Assist	Score	Result	Competition
1	6	June 15, 2013	Foxborough, Massachusetts	South Korea	3'	Sydney Leroux	1-0	4-1	Friendly Match
2	16	November 27, 2020	Breda, Netherlands	Netherlands	70'	Lynn Williams	2-0	2–0
3	17	January 18, 2021	Orlando, Florida	Colombia	85'	Carli Lloyd	4-0	4–0
4	21	February 24, 2021	Orlando, Florida	Argentina	41'	Casey Krueger	4-0	6–0	2021 SheBelieves Cup
5	36	February 23, 2022	Frisco, Texas	Iceland	88'	Margaret Purce	5-0	5–0	2022 SheBelieves Cup
6	42	July 7, 2022	Guadalupe, Mexico	Jamaica	83'	Penalty kick	4-0	5–0	2022 CONCACAF W Championship
7	43	July 11, 2022	San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico	Mexico	89'	Unassisted	1-0	1–0	2022 CONCACAF W Championship