Meghan Klingenberg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Meghan Klingenberg

Klingenberg with the Portland Thorns in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Meghan Elizabeth Klingenberg
Date of birth	(1988-08-02) August 2, 1988 (age 37)
Place of birth	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height	5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Position(s)	Left back
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2010	North Carolina Tar Heels	70	(18)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011	magicJack	2	(0)
2011	Boston Breakers	10	(0)
2012	Western New York Flash	3	(2)
2012–2014	Tyresö FF	32	(2)
2014–2015	Houston Dash	19	(0)
2016–2024	Portland Thorns	151	(0)
International career‡
2004	United States U-16
2005	United States U-17
2008	United States U-19
2009–2010	United States U-23
2011–2018	United States	75	(3)
Medal record FIFA Women's World Cup Gold 2015 Canada Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 3, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of September 3, 2024

Meghan Elizabeth Klingenberg (born August 2, 1988) is a retired American professional soccer player. She played as a defender for the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) until 2024. Meghan was also a member of the United States women's national soccer team. She is a FIFA Women's World Cup champion and has won the NWSL championship twice. She also won the NWSL Shield twice.

Early Life and High School Soccer

Meghan Klingenberg was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She grew up in a suburb called Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. Meghan has a younger brother, Drew, who also played college soccer.

She went to Pine-Richland High School from 2003 to 2007. She was the captain of her high school soccer team. In 2005, she helped her team win the Pennsylvania state high school championship. She was also named an NSCAA All-America player.

Meghan says that practicing Taekwondo helped her soccer skills. She believes this martial art made her a more determined player. She is now a black belt in Taekwondo.

Playing for the University of North Carolina

Meghan attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was a starting player for the Tar Heels for all four years. She scored 18 goals and made 24 assists during her college career. Meghan was a very flexible player. She could play in different positions on the field for her team.

As a freshman in 2007, she played in 24 games. She scored five goals and had three assists. She was named an All-ACC Academic Team member.

In 2008, during her sophomore year, she played in 20 games. She missed some games to play for the U.S. team in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile. She had nine assists and two goals that year.

As a junior in 2009, she played in 26 games. She scored five goals and helped her team win a big game against Wake Forest in the NCAA quarterfinals.

In her senior year in 2010, she was named an NSCAA All-American. She played in all 24 games for the Tar Heels. She had 11 assists and scored six goals. She was named First-Team All-ACC.

Meghan studied business while at UNC Chapel Hill. She focused on how to start new businesses.

Professional Club Career

Meghan Klingenberg playing for Tyresö in 2013

Meghan Klingenberg playing for Portland in 2018

Early Years in WPS

In 2011, Meghan was chosen by the Washington Freedom in the WPS draft. The team later moved to Florida and was renamed magicJack. She was then traded to the Boston Breakers. Meghan played 10 games for Boston. She scored one goal and had two assists. She also played for Western New York Flash and helped them win the 2012 Women's Premier Soccer League Elite championship.

Playing in Sweden with Tyresö FF

In 2012, Meghan signed with Tyresö, a club in Sweden. While playing for Tyresö, she helped them win the 2012 Damallsvenskan league title.

Joining the NWSL

After the WPS league ended, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was created in 2013. This new league had support from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Houston Dash

On January 10, 2014, the Houston Dash team chose Meghan in the NWSL Expansion Draft. She joined the Dash after finishing her games with Tyresö FF. She played 19 games for the Houston Dash before leaving in October 2015.

Portland Thorns FC

In October 2015, Meghan joined the Portland Thorns FC. She was part of a series of trades that brought her to the Thorns. She played for the Portland Thorns from 2016 until 2024. She announced her departure from the club on December 30, 2024.

International Career with the U.S. Team

Meghan Klingenberg training with the U.S. Women's National Team in 2012

Meghan Klingenberg played for the United States women's national soccer team at different age levels, including U-16, U-17, U-20, and U-23.

She was first called up to the senior national team in 2011. She played her first two games during the 2011 Four Nations Tournament. She was an alternate player for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Meghan made her official debut for the senior team on January 23, 2011, against Canada. She came into the game as a substitute.

She was a key player in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The United States women's national soccer team won the tournament on July 5, 2015. Meghan started in every single game for the team during this World Cup. She also played a lot during the 2016 Summer Olympics. After 2017, she played less often and was last called up to the team in January 2018.

Off-Field Activities

While playing for the Houston Dash, Meghan and her teammate Morgan Brian lived with the family of former Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. This was part of the Dash's host family program.

In 2018, Meghan helped negotiate for the image and likeness rights for the U.S. Women's National Team players. This was for the U.S. Women's National Team Players Association.

In 2019, Meghan Klingenberg, along with her U.S. teammates Tobin Heath, Christen Press, and Megan Rapinoe, started a company called Re-inc. It is a gender-neutral lifestyle brand.

Career Achievements

Meghan Klingenberg has achieved many honors throughout her soccer career:

Western New York Flash

• Women's Premier Soccer League Elite: 2012

Tyresö

• Damallsvenskan: 2012

Portland Thorns FC

• NWSL Shield: 2016, 2021
• NWSL Championship: 2017, 2022
• NWSL Community Shield: 2020
• NWSL Challenge Cup: 2021
• International Champions Cup: 2021

United States National Team

• CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2014
• Algarve Cup: 2015
• FIFA Women's World Cup: 2015
• CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2016
• SheBelieves Cup: 2016

Individual Awards

• NWSL Second XI: 2017
• FIFPro: FIFA FIFPro World XI 2015

See also

In Spanish: Meghan Klingenberg para niños