Danielle Marie Weatherholt (born March 17, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She can also play as a center back or left back. She played college soccer at Santa Clara University and was drafted by the Orlando Pride in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She has also played for Melbourne Victory, OL Reign, and Angel City FC.

Dani Weatherholt
Weatherholt in 2024
Personal information
Full name Danielle Marie Weatherholt[1]
Date of birth (1994-03-17) March 17, 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Midfielder, center back, left back
Team information
Current team
North Carolina Courage
Number 17
Youth career
SoCal Blues
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Santa Clara Broncos 85 (10)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Orlando Pride 73 (3)
2018–2019Melbourne Victory (loan) 11 (0)
2020–2021 OL Reign 19 (0)
2022–2023 Angel City 41 (0)
2024– North Carolina Courage 21 (1)
International career
2010 United States U17
2011 United States U18
2013 United States U20
2017 United States U23
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 2, 2024

Early life

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Weatherholt was born to Doug and Gail Weatherholt in Laguna Beach, California. She was raised with her two brothers in Capistrano Beach, California, where she attended San Clemente High School.[2] At San Clemente High School, Weatherholt played on the women's varsity soccer team for four years.

Weatherholt played club soccer for Southern California Club for nine years, seven of which she served as team captain. She played for Cal South State Team in 2011–2012 when she was ranked #5 in Southern California and #19 nationally by Top Drawer Soccer.[2] During her time playing for Southern California Club, Weatherhiolt contributed to the acquisition of the following awards: 2011 ODP National Champions, 2011 U17 Far West Regional Champions, 2011 First Team ODP All Stars, 2011 NSCAA Youth All American Team, 2011 NSCAA High School Girls All-Region VIII Team, 2010 ODP Thanksgiving Interregional Team, 2010 U17 San Diego Surf College Cup Finalist, 2009–10 ODP Region IV Finalists and 2009–10 Region IV Champions[2]

Playing career

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Santa Clara Broncos (2012–15)

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Weatherholt attended Santa Clara University from 2012 to 2015 where she majored in Liberal Studies and Pre-Teaching.[3] During her freshman year she started all 22 games and was named to the All-WCC Honorable Mention, WCC All-Freshman team as well as to the Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Team of the Year. During her sophomore year she played in all 22 games and helped the Broncos to the Round of 16 of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament.[4] Her junior year saw her start all 20 games for he Broncos where she was named All-WCC Honorable Mention and WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention. Weatherholt started all 21 games of her senior year. She once again made the WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention as well as the Third Team All-West Region, First Team All-WCC and NSCAA Scholar Second Team All-West Region.[5]

Orlando Pride (2016–2019)

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Weatherholt playing for the Pride in 2018

In January 2016, Weatherholt was selected by Orlando Pride in the fourth-round (31st overall pick) of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.[6][7] She signed with the club in April 2016.[8] She went on to play 12 appearances her first year at the club. She had her contract option exercised for the 2017 season where she made 19 appearances and scored one goal. She was offered a new contract for the 2018 season.[9] During that season Weatherholt played 23 games for the club, tied for the most in the season for any Orlando Pride player alongside Shelina Zadorsky. Her contract option exercised for the 2019 season.[10]

Loan to Melbourne Victory (2018–2019)

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On October 16, 2018, the Melbourne Victory announced they had signed Weatherholt on loan for the 2018–2019 W-League season.[11][12] She made 12 appearances as the team won the Premiership title, marking Weatherholt's first professional trophy.

Reign FC (2020–2021)

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On January 22, 2020, Weatherholt was traded to Reign FC in exchange for Reign's natural second-round pick in the 2021 NWSL College Draft.[13]

Angel City FC (2022–2023)

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Weatherholt got selected by Angel City FC in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft She was named to the team's 25 player preseason roster before the 2022 Season. She made 41 regular season appearances across two seasons in Los Angeles, winning 185 duels, 47 tackles and creating 10 chances.[14]

North Carolina Courage (2024–present)

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On January 16, 2024, North Carolina Courage announced they had signed Weatherholt to a two-year contract until 2025 as she was a free agent at the conclusion of the 2023 season.[14] She scored on her club debut off the bench against the Houston Dash on the opening matchday on March 16, 2024.[15] She played variously as a defensive midfielder, center back, or left back depending on the Courage's need; head coach Sean Nahas said "That's why we brought her here. She is basically a Swiss Army knife".[16] She made 21 appearances with 8 starts as the Courage finished the season in fifth place.[17]

International career

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In April 2015, Weatherholt was called up to the United States women's national under-23 soccer team training camp.[18]

Personal life

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In July 2024, Weatherholt was one of five active NWSL players who represented the NWSL Players Association at the final negotiations in Philadelphia that updated the league's collective bargaining agreement through 2030.[19]

Career statistics

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As of March 25, 2024[20]
Club League Season League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Orlando Pride NWSL 2016 12 0 12 0
2017 20 1 20 1
2018 23 2 23 2
2019 19 0 19 0
Total 74 3 0 0 74 3
Melbourne Victory (loan) W-League 2018–19 12 0 12 0
OL Reign NWSL 2020 3 0 3 0
2021 20 0 4 0 24 2
Angel City FC NWSL 2022 20 0 6 0 26 0
2023 21 0 6 0 27 0
North Carolina Courage NWSL 2024 2 1 2 1
Career total 149 4 19 0 168 6

Honors

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Melbourne Victory

W-League Premiership: 2018–19

References

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  1. ^ "National team roster – 2022 Concacaf W Championship: USA" (PDF). CONCACAF. June 8, 2022. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Dani Weatherholt". Santa Clara. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  3. ^ "Dani Weatherholt". Santa Clara University. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  4. ^ "SC Athletes at the Next Level". San Clemente Times. December 5, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  5. ^ "SC Athletics Women's Soccer Dani Weatherholt". Santa Clara Athletics. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Tenorio, Paul (January 15, 2016). "Orlando Pride add three players in NWSL college draft". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  7. ^ Percy, Nathan (January 21, 2016). "Triton alum picked by NWSL's Pride". Orange County Register. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  8. ^ Parsons, Michael. "Pride players full of surprises". Florida Today. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  9. ^ Citro, Michael (November 17, 2017). "2017 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Dani Weatherholt". Orange County Register. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  10. ^ "Orlando Pride exercises options for 10 players, offers new contracts to seven". ProSoccerUSA. October 1, 2018. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  11. ^ "Victory Sign Orlando Pride Duo". October 16, 2018.
  12. ^ "Melbourne Victory Sign Orlando Pride Duo".
  13. ^ "Orlando Pride Acquires 2021 Second Round Draft Pick From Reign FC". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  14. ^ a b "Courage signs midfielder Dani Weatherholt through 2025". NC Courage. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Recap: Courage smash Dash on opening night". North Carolina Courage. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Weatherholt's tactical flexibility a boon for NC Courage". North Carolina Courage. September 10, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "2024 North Carolina Courage Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "Dani Weatherholt Named to U.S. U-23s Roster for Nordic Tournament". Orlando City. June 1, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  19. ^ Yang, Steph (August 22, 2024). "Inside NWSL and the players' union's new CBA after 10 months of bargaining". The Athletic. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Dani Weatherholt profile". Soccerway. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
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