Trinity Armstrong

Trinity Zion Armstrong (born July 25, 2007) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels, winning the national championship and earning second-team All-American honors as a freshman in 2024. After one season at North Carolina, she began her professional career with the Wave in 2025. She won bronze with the United States at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

Early life

Armstrong grew up in Frisco, Texas, north of Dallas, and began playing soccer at age three. Before her junior year, she committed to play college soccer for North Carolina. The same summer, she was hospitalized with anemia and thought she might have to medically retire. She returned to the field back home with FC Dallas, earning ECNL All-American honors. She also trained with the NWSL's Racing Louisville as a preseason invitee. With several North Carolina commits leaving for the NWSL, she reclassified to graduate early and begin college at age 17.

College career

Armstrong played and started in 21 games and scored 1 goal for the North Carolina Tar Heels as a freshman in 2024. In the ACC tournament semifinals, she marked her return from the World Cup with a header goal and a crucial goal-line clearance in a 2–1 come-from-behind win over No. 1–ranked rivals Duke. In the NCAA tournament, she played every minute after the first round (when several starters were rested) and helped the team concede just one goal in six games. Armstrong garnered second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC recognition.

Club career San Diego Wave FC announced on January 16, 2025, that they had signed Armstrong to her first professional contract on a three-year deal. The 17-year-old was viewed as a potential successor to Naomi Girma, who left for Chelsea ten days later. Sports Illustrated ranked Armstrong as the top NWSL prospect in her rookie class. She made her professional debut with a stoppage-time appearance in the season-opening 1–1 draw with Angel City FC on March 16.

On April 12, Armstrong made her first professional start and won praise for helping shut down MVP Temwa Chawinga despite a 2–0 scoreline to the Kansas City Current. After starting again in a 4–1 win over Racing Louisville the following week, she became a regular starter in central defense under head coach Jonas Eidevall. On May 4, she scored her first professional goal with a late header in a 2–1 home win over Bay FC, becoming the youngest NWSL player to score a stoppage-time game-winning goal. She ended the month with a goal and an assist and became the youngest-ever selection to the NWSL Team of the Month. In the playoff quarterfinals, she came on as an extra-time substitute and forced a point-blank save from Mackenzie Arnold, but it was not enough as the Wave lost 1–0 to the Portland Thorns. She also injured her left knee in the playoff game and missed the start of the next season.

On July 4, 2026, Armstrong returned from injury after the summer break as San Diego won 2–0 against Gotham FC. However, later that month, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in her right knee, returning to the season-ending injury list.

International career

Armstrong was called into camp with the United States under-15 team in 2022. She won the Montaigu Tournament with the under-16 team the following year. She started four of five games as the under-17 team won the 2024 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship.

Personal life

Armstrong is the daughter of Karla Nunn and has two older brothers. Her nickname is "T3".

Career statistics

Club

Honors and awards

North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament: 2024

United States U-17 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup bronze medal: 2024 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship: 2024

Individual Second-team All-American: 2024 First-team All-ACC: 2024 NCAA tournament all-tournament team: 2024 ACC tournament all-tournament team: 2024