Erin McKinney

Erin McKinney (born May 29, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper. She played college soccer for the Akron Zips and the Wisconsin Badgers.

Early life

McKinney was raised in Belvidere, Illinois, one of two children born to Marc and Lara McKinney. She started playing club soccer with Raptors, later playing for Campton United.

College career

McKinney started all but two games for the Akron Zips in her freshman season in 2018, making 101 saves but keeping only 3 clean sheets in 18 games. She then transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2019, redshirting her first season with the Wisconsin Badgers. She went without playing for two further seasons, as a backup to two-time Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Jordyn Bloomer, and underwent surgery for a knee issue. She took over the starting position for the Badgers in 2022, starting all 19 games and keeping 7 clean sheets, In her graduate season in 2023, she again started all 22 games and kept 10 clean sheets (third most in the conference),

Club career McKinney was not selected in the 2024 NWSL Draft but was invited to train as a non-roster player with the Chicago Red Stars in the 2024 preseason. In mid-March, NJ/NY Gotham FC announced that they had signed McKinney to her first professional contract on an injury replacement deal. She was released the following month when Gotham FC acquired new starter Ann-Katrin Berger from Chelsea.

In June 2024, McKinney signed with the Houston Dash for the rest of the season. Largely a backup to Jane Campbell,

In February 2025, McKinney joined USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United during the league's inaugural season. She was Cosette Morché's unused backup as the club reached the inaugural league final, losing to the Tampa Bay Sun.

McKinney trained with the North Carolina Courage and the Portland Thorns as a non-roster invitee in the 2026 preseason.