Zara Chavoshi

Zara Sona Chavoshi (born December 6, 2002) is a professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Born in the United States to Canadian parents, she represents Canada internationally.

Chavoshi played college soccer for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and helped lead the team to their first national title game appearance.

Early life

Born in Newark, Delaware, Chavoshi grew up in Potomac, Maryland, and began playing soccer at age five. She attended Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, and played club soccer for McLean Youth Soccer, winning two ECNL championships.

College career

Chavoshi played 18 games (all starts) in her freshman season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 2021. She played every minute in the postseason as Wake Forest made the semifinals of the ACC tournament, falling to Florida State, and the second round of the NCAA tournament, falling to Michigan. They lost to Florida State on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the semifinals of the ACC tournament. After the season, she was named second-team All-ACC, third-team All-American by TopDrawerSoccer, and fourth-team All-American by United Soccer Coaches.

Club career In 2022, Chavoshi played with McLean Soccer in the USL W League. In 2023, she played with Racing Louisville FC B in the USL W League.

The Orlando Pride announced on January 13, 2025, that they had signed Chavoshi to her first professional contract, a one-year deal. She was the team's first college signing after the abolition of the college draft. She made her professional debut on March 23, coming on as a late substitute for Angelina in a 2–0 win against NJ/NY Gotham FC. On May 3, in her first professional start, she played 90 minutes and cleared a Reilyn Turner shot off the goal line as the Pride lost 1–0 away to the Portland Thorns.

International career

Chavoshi received her first call-up to the Canada youth national team in July 2022. She was selected to the roster for the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and started one game in the competition, a 3–1 loss to Nigeria, as Canada finished bottom of their group.

Two months later, in May 2025, Chavoshi received her first senior call-up with the Canadian national team before two friendlies against Haiti. She made her senior international debut on June 3, starting in a 3–1 victory over Haiti. On June 27, 2025, she scored her first international goal in a 4–1 victory over Costa Rica.

Personal life Chavoshi is one of three children born to Soheil and Cindy Tran-Chavoshi.

Career statistics International goals Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Chavoshi goal. + List of international goals scored by Zara ChavoshiNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 June 27, 2025 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada 3–1 4–1 Friendly

Honors and awards

Individual Fourth-team All-American: 2024 Second-team All-ACC: 2024