Christie Welsh

Christie Welsh

Personal information
Full name	Christie Welsh
Date of birth	February 27, 1981
Place of birth	Massapequa Park, New York, United States
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current team	D.C. United Women
Youth career
1999–2002	Penn State Nittany Lions
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2000	Long Island Lady Riders	2	(1)
2001–2002	Hampton Roads Piranhas	8	(12)
2003	New York Power	12	(6)
2004	Karlslunds IF DFF
2005	Olympique Lyonnais
2005	New Jersey Wildcats	2	(2)
2007–2008	Washington Freedom	20	(18)
2009	Los Angeles Sol	3	(0)
2009	Saint Louis Athletica	11	(3)
2010	Washington Freedom
2011-	D.C. United Women	6	(3)
National team^‡
2000–	United States
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 November 2011. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:18, 30 September 2009 (UTC)

Christie Welsh (born February 27, 1981) is an American soccer forward who plays for D.C. United Women of the USL W-League. She previously played for the New York Power of Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) as well as the Los Angeles Sol, Saint Louis Athletica, and Washington Freedom of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). She is also a former member of the United States women's national soccer team.

Early life

Born in Massapequa Park, New York, Welsh attended Massapequa High School on Long Island in Massapequa, New York. She was a two-time Parade All-American and a 1999 NSCAA All-American. Welsh was the 1998 Gatorade Circle of Champions National High School Girls' Soccer Player of the Year. She led Massapequa to the 1997 New York State Championship. Welsh played club soccer with the Northport Cow Harbor Piranha where she won two national titles.

Penn State University

Welsh attended Penn State University and ended her collegiate career as one of the most decorated athletes in the school's history. In her freshman campaign, Welsh piloted the Lions to their first ever Final Four, led the team and was tied nationally for goals scored (27), and earned Penn State's first College Cup all-tournament honor.

Her junior year, Welsh's received the Hermann Trophy, the sport's most prestigious award given to the nation's top player. She was also honored with the 2001 Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year award. She finished her career amassing four NSCAA All-America honors, three consecutive Soccer America Collegiate MVP's, and three Big Ten Player of the Year honors. She is still the Big Ten's leading scorer and was part of four Big Ten title teams and two College Cup squads during her time at Penn State. Welsh ended her collegiate career at Penn State with 82 goals and 52 assists plus 27 game-winning goals which are all Big 10 records.

Playing career

New York Power

Welsh was drafted second overall by the New York Power of the now-defunct WUSA professional league. She scored six goals in 12 games during her rookie season.

Los Angeles Sol & Saint Louis Athletica

In 2009, Welsh was selected with the 5th pick of the second round (12th overall) by the Los Angeles Sol in the WPS General Player Draft. She appeared in three games for Los Angeles before being traded to the Saint Louis Athletica on May 9, 2009. She finished the 2009 season with three goals in 11 games for St. Louis.

Washington Freedom

Welsh was acquired by the Washington Freedom before the start of the 2010 season.^[1]

D.C. United

After the Freedom was moved to Florida under new ownership for the 2011 season, Welsh joined D.C. United Women originally as an assistant coach, but has attained a second role as a substitute forward.^[2][3]

International

Welsh debuted for the United States women's national soccer team in 2000. Welsh scored 11 goals in 15 games for the United States in her first significant season with the full national team. She scored 10 goals faster than any other player in American soccer history. In 2004, Welsh was a member of the U.S. Olympic Residency Training Camp. In 2005, Welsh won the Golden Boot Award as top scorer in the prestigious Algarve Cup tournament with five goals, including the game-winning goal in the championship match against Germany.

Coaching career

Welsh is currently an assistant coach at University of Oregon. She previously served as a volunteer assistant coach for Penn State from 2004-2006 and Wisconsin in 2011. She is also head coach and director of the U16 FC Bucks Revolution club team.^[4]

References

1. "FC Gold Pride vs. Washington Freedom: A Play-By-Play (and Other Miscellany)". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
2. "Freedom sign forward Christie Welsh". ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
3. "Christie Welsh, Demian Brown make first W-League appearances of season". Our Game Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
4. "Christie Welsh Named Women's Soccer Assistant Coach". Saint Joseph's University. Retrieved 24 April 2013.

External links

• Christie Welsh – FIFA competition record
• US Soccer player profile
• Washington Freedom player profile
• New Jersey Wildcats player profile