Sarah Gorden

Sarah L. Gorden (born September 13, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), which she also captains. She previously played for the Chicago Red Stars. She has been named to the NWSL Best XI two times.

Early life The adopted daughter of Jeff and Sue Gorden, Sarah Gorden began playing soccer at age four. When she began playing competitively, her speed on the pitch inspired her to join her high school track team. While attending James B. Conant High School she played as a defender for the Eclipse Select Soccer Club.

DePaul Blue Demons Gorden attended DePaul university from 2011 to 2015, following in the footsteps of her parents who were both student athletes at DePaul. Gorden majored in journalism and competed as a hurdler on the track team for her first two years of university in addition to playing soccer.

She scored her first collegiate goal on September 11, 2011, against Minnesota.

Gorden did not compete in the 2013 season due to pregnancy. She returned to the Blue Demons in 2014 to lead the team's defense to a conference title and consecutive NCAA tournament appearances while allowing the fewest goals in the Big East Conference. In 2014, Gorden was named to the All-Big East second team. In 2014, Gorden also help set a school record with a 20-game undefeated streak that was tied with No. 1-ranked UCLA for longest in the nation. In 2015, Gorden was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week four times, and was named to the All-Big East first team.

Club career

Chicago Red Stars, 2016–2021 Gorden was drafted by Chicago Red Stars in the 3rd round, as the 22nd pick overall, during the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She became the first DePaul Women's Soccer player to be selected in the NWSL draft. She made her professional debut in the season opener against the Houston Dash, subbing in for Alyssa Mautz in the 83rd minute of play.

In January 2021, Gorden was signed to a two-year contract renewal with Chicago Red Stars.

On October 29, 2021, Gorden became Chicago's first Iron Woman by playing every minute of the 2021 NWSL season. She came second in voting for NWSL Defender of the Year behind Caprice Dydasco.

Angel City FC, 2022–

On December 3, 2021, Gorden's rights were traded to Angel City FC ahead of the upcoming expansion draft. After missing the entire 2022 season due to an ACL injury, Gorden went on to return and play every minute of the 2023 regular season, becoming an iron woman for the second time in her career in the team's run to their first playoff appearance. She also named in the NWSL Best XI and nominated for Defender of the Year at the conclusion of the season. On December 19, 2023, it was announced that Gorden has signed a new contract with Angel City which would keep her at the club until 2026 with a mutual option for 2027.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Gorden was named as Vice Captain of the team, and would end up regularly captaining Angel City matches after captain Ali Riley suffered a season-ending injury during the season. On April 21, 2024, Gorden made her 100th NWSL regular-season appearance as captain in Angel City's home match against North Carolina Courage which finished as a 2–1 victory. On August 9, 2024, Gorden was named to the July 2024 NWSL Team of the Month after recording four tackles won throughout the month and registering a passing accuracy of 79.34% in 360 minutes played. Gorden captained Angel City to the top of Group D and a spot in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri.

International career Gorden received her first call-up to the United States women's national soccer team in December 2019. In October 2020, Gorden was again called up to the United States national team.

Personal life She gave birth to a son in 2014.

Career statistics

Club

Honors Individual

NWSL Best XI: 2021, 2023 NWSL Team of the Month: 2019: July 2021: October 2023: July, September/October 2024: July, August