Michelle Alozie facts for kids
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Alozie with the Houston Dash in 2024
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michelle Chinwendu Alozie | ||
| Date of birth | 28 April 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | La Jolla, California, U.S. | ||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward / Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
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Current team
|
Houston Dash | ||
| Number | 22 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2014 | Legends FC | ||
| 2011–2014 | Granite Hills Cougars | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2018 | Yale Bulldogs | 49 | (19) |
| 2019 | Tennessee Volunteers | 17 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020 | BIIK Kazygurt | ||
| 2021– | Houston Dash | 64 | (6) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | Nigeria | 23 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:07, 7 July 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 July 2023. |
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Michelle Chinwendu Alozie is a professional footballer (soccer player) born on April 28, 1997. She plays as a forward and defender for the National Women's Soccer League club Houston Dash. Michelle was born in the United States but plays for the Nigerian national team. She also received a special honor called the Officer of the Order of the Niger.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michelle Alozie was born in La Jolla, California. Her parents are from Imo State, Nigeria. She grew up in Apple Valley and went to Granite Hills High School in her hometown.
College Soccer Journey
Michelle played college soccer for the Yale Bulldogs at Yale University from 2015 to 2018. During her last year, she had a serious injury, tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). After graduating from Yale, she transferred to the University of Tennessee to continue playing for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Professional Club Career
After college, Michelle Alozie signed up for the 2019 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft but was not chosen by any team.
Playing for BIIK Kazygurt
In January 2020, Michelle signed a contract with BIIK Kazygurt. This team was the champion of the Kazakhstani women's football league. She trained with the team for three months. However, the season ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she returned to California.
Joining the Houston Dash
In 2021, Michelle joined the Houston Dash as a trial player during their preseason. Her childhood friend, Ally Prisock, was already playing for the Dash. An assistant coach, Twila Kilgore, had tried to recruit Michelle before when she coached another team. Michelle first signed a temporary contract with the Dash. Later, in August 2021, she signed a full contract for the rest of the season.
In the 2022 season, Michelle started her first game in the NWSL Playoffs for the Dash. In December 2022, she signed a new two-year contract with the team.
International Career with Nigeria
Michelle Alozie made her first appearance for the Nigerian national team on June 10, 2021. She came into the game as a substitute in a friendly match against Jamaica. This game was part of a series held in Houston, where Michelle was training with the Dash. The Nigerian coach, Randy Waldrum, added her to the team after just one training session. In Nigeria's next game against Portugal, Michelle scored her first goal for Nigeria in an exciting 3-3 draw.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
On June 16, 2023, Michelle was chosen to be part of Nigeria's 23-player squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. She played every minute of the tournament for the "Super Falcons," which is Nigeria's nickname. Nigeria eventually lost to England in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 tie in the Round of 16.
During that game, Michelle was involved in a memorable moment. She won the ball from an English player, Lauren James, who then fouled Michelle and stepped on her. Lauren James was sent off the field after a video review (VAR) and received a two-game ban.
Recent Achievements
In December 2023, Michelle Alozie was named one of the best African players in the CAF Women's Africa Best XI.
Michelle was also called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics. She was part of the Nigerian women's national team squad that won the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2025. For this victory, she was awarded the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger. She also received a hundred thousand dollars and a three-bedroom apartment in Abuja.
Off-Field Medical Career
Michelle Alozie earned a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology from Yale University. She also works part-time as a cancer research technician at the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Personal Life
In 2024, Michelle Alozie appeared in the first season of The Offseason. This was a reality television series that followed a group of NWSL players as they trained before the new season began.
Honours
Nigeria
- Africa Women Cup of Nations: 2024
- Officer of the Order of the Niger
See also
In Spanish: Michelle Alozie para niños
