Rachel van Hollebeke

Rachel Marie Buehler Van Hollebeke ( ; ; born August 26, 1985) is an American former soccer player who last played as a defender for the Portland Thorns FC and the United States women's national soccer team. In 2015, Van Hollebeke retired from playing professional soccer, and soon after began attending medical school at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

In 2020, Van Hollebeke joined the ownership group of Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League.

Early life Stanford University Van Hollebeke attended Stanford University, where she was named by the NCAA Honors Committee as a recipient of the NCAA Top VIII Award, and completed her senior year in 2007, majoring in human biology/pre-medicine. A three-year captain for the Cardinal, Van Hollebeke was an All-Pac-10 Conference First-Team selection, an NSCAA First-Team All-American Scholar Athlete, and was chosen as the ESPN Academic All-American of the Year. As a redshirt junior in 2006, she was one of two players in the conference to be selected in the All-Pac-10 First Team and the Pac-10 All-Academic First Team.

On August 23, 2015, Van Hollebeke announced her retirement from international and professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2015 National Women's Soccer League season. During her three seasons with Portland Thorns FC, she won the 2013 NWSL Championship, 2013 Portland Thorns FC Defender of the Year, and 2013 NWSL Second XI honors. Additionally, Van Hollebeke played an active role in community events through the club's Stand Together community platform and was named 2014 Community Player of the Year for all of her efforts.

International career Van Hollebeke has played on several U.S. national youth teams, including U-16 and U-17, and was a member of the first place 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Canada and the third place team at the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Thailand. She joined the national team training camp in July 2006 and debuted for the full team in March 2008 at the Algarve Cup in Portugal. Van Hollebeke was named to the 2008 U.S. Olympic women's soccer team on June 23, 2008. She appeared in two matches, chipping in with one assist. She was also chosen for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup squad and scored on the USA's opening game against North Korea. Van Hollebeke was part of the team that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Van Hollebeke appeared in all six matches and played all but 35 minutes of the United States gold medal campaign.

On March 6, 2013, in the opening game of the Algarve Cup, Van Hollebeke became only the 29th female to play 100 times for the United States. Van Hollebeke's very first appearance with the national team was in 2008 at the very same tournament. During her 100th cap against Iceland, Van Hollebeke scored a goal, making her only the 4th U.S. woman next to Tiffeny Milbrett, Shannon MacMillan, and Abby Wambach to score in their 100th appearance.

Rachel Van Hollebeke scored 5 goals in international competition; one each in World Cup final tournament, Olympic qualification, World Cup qualification, the Algarve Cup, and a friendly match.

Personal life Rachel married Bobby Van Hollebeke on November 17, 2012, at Balboa Park in San Diego. She announced that she would be using her husband's last name professionally from 2014 on.

Van Hollebeke's maiden name and tough playing style earned her the nickname "The Buehldozer".

Van Hollebeke prepared for medical school while still an active player, with fellow players helping her study for entrance exams. She retired from soccer at the end of the 2015 NWSL season and began medical school at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine the next day. She graduated as an M.D. in 2019 and now practices medicine in the San Diego area.

In 2020, Van Hollebeke joined the ownership group of NWSL team Angel City FC. The owners, led by venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, include former teammates from the USWNT as well as some Hollywood stars.

Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

2009

2010

Boston Breakers 2011

2013

2014

2015

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International

Scores and results list United States goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Van Hollebeke goal.

Honors FC Gold Pride WPS Championship: 2010

Portland Thorns FC NWSL Championship: 2013

United States Olympic Gold Medal: 2008, 2012

Individual NWSL Second XI: 2013