Sarina Bolden

Sarina Isabel Calpo Bolden (born June 30, 1996) is a Filipino-American professional footballer. Born in the United States, she represents the Philippines at international level.

Bolden holds the distinction of having scored the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup goal for the Philippines. On July 25, 2023, Bolden scored a header against co-host New Zealand to clinch the country's historic first World Cup win.

Early life and education Sarina Isabel Bolden was born on June 30, 1996 in Santa Clara, California, U.S. to Sherry and Robert Bolden and has a younger brother. Her mother is from Pangasinan. Her father is African American. Sarina's parents are both into sports, although soccer is not their main discipline.

She attended Milpitas High School

Club career Bolden in 2020 played for Xinbei Hangyuan in the Taiwan Mulan Football League. She later played for the San Francisco Nighthawks of the Women's Premier Soccer League in the United States.

In June 2021, Bolden was signed in by Elfen Saitama of the WE League of Japan. She debuted in Saitama's 1–4 lost to Tokyo Verdy Beleza on October 10, 2021, after she was brought in as a substitute in the 62nd minute. Bolden, whose native language is English, was limited on her ability to connect with her teammates.

In December 2022, Bolden mutually terminated her contract with Elfen Saitama and transferred to Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Ahead of the 2023–24 A-League Women season, it was understood that Western Sydney Wanderers didn't re-sign Bolden. Bolden says she received offers from various clubs, but she preferred to remain in the A-League and not make any "big, far moves abroad" at that point in her career. For the meantime, she largely relied on playing time with the Philippine national team to maintain her fitness. Head coach Gary van Egmond would invite Bolden to join the team. Two weeks later, Como announced Bolden as their new player, signing a contract that will keep her with the club until June 30, 2026. In April 2025, Bolden had an ACL injury while with Como. She underwent surgery in Australia the following month and has been recovering ever since. Three months after her injury, Bolden mutually terminated her contract with Como.

International career Bolden's performance with the Loyola Marymount University women's soccer team led to her being invited to participate in a training camp in Orlando, Florida in April 2017 which was organized by the United States women's national under-23 soccer team.

In the Philippines' first group stage match against host Jordan, Bolden had her first international cap.

Bolden was named in the lineup for the Philippine national team that participated at the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup. The Philippines advanced to the knockout stage of the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the first time. During the quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei, which ended in a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw, Bolden scored the winning penalty which resulted in the Philippines qualifying for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup, the 2023 edition. On 25 July 2023, she scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over World Cup co-host New Zealand, to be her country's first ever goal and victory in the competition.

She would make her milestone 50th international cap after playing in a friendly against South Korea on April 5, 2024.

Having recently recovered from an injury, Bolden was included in the Philippine squad for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2022–23 A-League

Illawarra Stingrays 2023 NPL NSW

Newcastle Jets PSC–PCW Women in Sports Awards Athlete of the year: 2024

Personal life Bolden is gay and a queer woman.