Kia McNeill

Last updated
Kia McNeill
Kia McNeill (cropped).jpg
Personal information
Full name Kia Janeen McNeill [1]
Date of birth (1986-05-15) May 15, 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Avon, Connecticut, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Defender
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2004–2007 Boston College Eagles
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2005 New England Mutiny
2007 Bay State Select
2008 Kristianstads DFF
2009 Saint Louis Athletica 19 (0)
2010 Atlanta Beat 19 (0)
2011 Philadelphia Independence 17 (1)
2012 Rossiyanka 1 (0)
2013 Boston Breakers 21 (0)
International career
United States U-19
United States U-23
Managerial career
2016– Brown Bears
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kia Janeen McNeill (born May 15, 1986) is an American retired professional soccer defender who most recently played for the Boston Breakers in the NWSL. She previously played for the Saint Louis Athletica, Philadelphia Independence, and the Atlanta Beat in the WPS and was a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team.

Contents

Early life

McNeill was born and grew up in Avon, Connecticut and attended Avon High School. At Avon, she helped lead the women's soccer team to three straight Class M State Championships and three undefeated seasons. She was named 2003 State Player of the Year in Connecticut and was a two-time NSCAA High School All-American. She also earned letters in basketball and track. [2] In 2010, McNeill was inducted into the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame. [1]

Boston College

McNeill was a four-year starter and played in 86 consecutive games at Boston College. She was a forward for her first three seasons and switched her senior season to defender. As a team captain, McNeill was considered crucial to the Eagles defense as it was ranked sixth in the country in goals-against-average (0.475). She finished her career as the eighth all-time leading scorer at Boston with 61 career points. [3] Her final collegiate statistics included 86 games played, 24 goals and 13 assists. McNeill was named Big East Rookie of the Year and earned All-Big East First Team selection honors. She was also named by Soccer Buzz Magazine as the Northeast Freshman of the Year. [2]

Playing career

Club

Kristianstads DFF

Two days after graduation at Boston College, McNeill flew to Sweden to begin her professional career as a member Kristianstads DFF in the Damallsvenskan. [4]

St. Louis Athletica

McNeill was the ninth overall draft pick during the 2009 WPS Draft by the Saint Louis Athletica. During the 2009 WPS season, she appeared in 19 games for the Saint Louis Athletica, starting 17 times. She helped anchor a Saint Louis defense that allowed the second fewest goals in the WPS, the second fewest goals against average, and the second most shutouts. [2]

Atlanta Beat (WPS)

In February 2010, McNeill was traded to the Atlanta Beat. She started all 19 games playing a total of 1624 minutes. [2]

Philadelphia Independence (WPS)

During the 2011 WPS season, McNeill played for the expansion team, Philadelphia Independence. She started 17 of 17 games for a total of 1453 minutes and scored one goal. [2]

Rossiyanka

After the WPS suspended operations in early 2012, McNeill made a small stint with Leigh Ann Robinson, Yael Averbuch, and Omolyn Davis playing for WFC Rossiyanka. [5] She made one appearance, starting and playing the full ninety minutes. [6]

Boston Breakers (NWSL)

In February 2013, it was announced that McNeill had signed with the Boston Breakers for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League. [7] She started 21 of the Breakers' 22 2013 regular-season games, but announced that she would miss the 2014 season in order to focus on school and coaching work. [8]

International

McNeill appeared in two matches for the US U-23 Women's National Team in La Manga, Spain. She was previously part of the U-19 Women's national team player pool and scored four goals for the U-19 WNT at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Canada. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashlyn Harris</span> American professional soccer player (born 1985)

Ashlyn Michelle Harris is an American former soccer player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francielle</span> Brazilian footballer (born 1989)

Francielle Manoel Alberto, commonly known as Francielle or Fran, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Brazil women's national football team. At club level, she most recently played for Norwegian Toppserien club Avaldsnes IL. She previously played for Corinthians, São José and Santos in Brazil, as well as for Saint Louis Athletica and Sky Blue FC of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS).

The 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season served as the inaugural season for WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. The regular season began on March 29 and ended on August 9, with the postseason being held between August 15 and 21.

The 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season was the second season for the WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. Regular season champion FC Gold Pride won the WPS Championship on September 26 with a 4–0 victory over the Philadelphia Independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tina DiMartino</span> American professional soccer midfielder

Christina DiMartino is an American professional soccer midfielder. She previously played for the Philadelphia Independence of the WPS and was a member of the United States women's national soccer team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikki Phillips (soccer)</span> Polish footballer

Nicole Marie Phillips is an American-born Polish professional footballer who plays as a defender and a midfielder. She has been a member of the Poland women's national team. She previously played for the Chicago Red Stars and the Philadelphia Independence in the WPS, and the United States U-20 women's national soccer team.

Jordan Leigh Angeli is an American former soccer player from Lakewood, Colorado. She last played in 2015 for the Western New York Flash in the National Women's Soccer League after a preseason trade with the Washington Spirit. Known for her versatility, Angeli originally debuted for the Santa Clara University women's soccer team as a defender, was moved to forward for Santa Clara in 2005, and played as a midfielder for the United States U-20 women's national soccer team at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship. She is currently a television analyst for the Columbus Crew. She works in a similar capacity alongside Maura Sheridan on the second games of the National Women's Soccer League's Saturday night doubleheaders on Ion Television since 2024.

The 2009 Saint Louis Athletica season was the inaugural season for the team.

The 2010 Saint Louis Athletica season was the second and final season for the team, both in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) and as an organization. On May 27, 2010, WPS announced that Athletica would fold effective immediately, forcing the league to finish the 2010 season with seven teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Fletcher</span> American soccer player (born 1984)

Kendall Lorraine Fletcher is an American professional soccer player who most recently played as a defender for North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angie Kerr</span> American former soccer midfielder (born 1985)

Angela Beth Woznuk Kerr is an American former soccer midfielder who played professionally through October 21, 2014. Her career culminated with Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League and she played as a member of the United States women's national soccer team in 2005, 2008, and 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yael Averbuch West</span> American soccer player and general manager

Yael Averbuch West is an American former professional soccer player. She was formerly the executive director of the National Women's Soccer League Players Association and is the current general manager of NJ/NY Gotham FC. A retired professional soccer player, she last played as a defender for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Breakers</span> Soccer team

The Boston Breakers were an American professional women's soccer club based in the Boston neighborhood of Allston. The team competed in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). They replaced the original Breakers, who competed in the defunct Women's United Soccer Association, as the Boston area's professional women's soccer team. Boston would eventually get a new expansion team in 2023 that would begin play in 2026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joanna Lohman</span> American soccer player (born 1982)

Joanna Christie Lohman is a retired American professional soccer midfielder/defender who last played for the Washington Spirit of the American National Women's Soccer League. She previously played for the Washington Freedom and Philadelphia Independence. In addition, she served as the general manager of the Washington Freedom Futures, the Washington Freedom Soccer Club's W-League team. Lohman is a former member of the United States women's national soccer team and author of the book Raising Tomorrow's Champions: What the Women's National Soccer Team Teaches Us About Grit, Authenticity and Winning, which was released on March 3, 2021 by Inspire Digital Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elli Burris</span> American soccer player

Elli Kayla Burris is an American professional soccer player who last played as a defender for OL Reign of the NWSL. She previously played for FCR 2001 Duisburg in the Frauen-Bundesliga, Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League as well as the Boston Breakers in the WPS and the WPSL Elite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katherine Reynolds</span> American soccer player

Katherine Alexandra Reynolds is an American former professional soccer player who last played in 2020 as a defender for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for the Philadelphia Independence and Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), Western New York Flash and Washington Spirit of the NWSL, and Newcastle Jets in the Australian W-League, as well as the United States U-23 women's national soccer team. She won the NWSL Championship in 2017 with the Thorns.

The 2010 WPS Dispersal Draft was a special draft for Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) after the Los Angeles Sol withdrew from the league. Players from the team were dispersed to the remaining seven teams in the league via the draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bianca D'Agostino</span> American former soccer player

Bianca Elisa D'Agostino is an American former soccer player. She most recently played for the Boston Breakers in the National Women's Soccer League and was formerly a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team. She previously played for the Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikki Washington</span> American retired professional soccer player

Madeline Nicole Washington is an American retired professional soccer forward and right midfielder who last played for Boston Breakers in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and is currently an assistant coach for the women's soccer team at the University of Washington. She previously played for Chicago Red Stars, Boston Breakers, and magicJack in Women's Professional Soccer as well as the Portland Thorns FC and Houston Dash in the NWSL. She captained the United States team that won the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and played for the under-23 team.

The 2010 Atlanta Beat season was the club's inaugural season in Women's Professional Soccer, joining the Philadelphia Independence as expansion teams in the league's second season, and was their first season in the top division of women's soccer in the American soccer pyramid. Including the WUSA franchise, this was the club's fifth year of existence.

References

  1. 1 2 "Girls Soccer Hall of Fame". Hartford Courant . Vol. CLXXIV, no. 9. January 9, 2010. p. C2. Retrieved June 21, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kia McNeill player profile". Philadelphia Independence. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Kia McNeill assistant coach profile". Boston College. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "Kia McNeill Signs With Kristianstad". Boston College. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "Russian Nightmares: Four former WPS players leave clubs abroad following contract disputes". Equalizer Soccer. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kia McNeill player profile". Soccer Way. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  7. ↑ "Breakers add defensive depth with Kia McNeill". Equalizer Soccer. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Boston Breakers' Kia McNeill to Miss 2014 Season: Defender started all 21 games she appeared in last season". NWSL Soccer. March 21, 2014. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.