Wikipedia

Sam Coffey

Samantha Grace Coffey (born December 31, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and for the United States national team. She was drafted by the Thorns in 2021 after playing college soccer at Boston College and Penn State.

Sam Coffey
Coffey with the Portland Thorns in 2024
Personal information
Full name Samantha Grace Coffey[1]
Date of birth (1998-12-31) December 31, 1998 (age 25)[2]
Place of birth New York City, New York, U.S.[1]
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Portland Thorns
Number 17
Youth career
Match-Fit Academy
New York Soccer Club
2013–2017 Masters School Panthers
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Boston College Eagles 40 (17)
2019–2021 Penn State Nittany Lions 62 (25)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Portland Thorns FC 65 (3)
International career‡
United States U18
United States U19
2017–2018 United States U20 13 (1)
2019 United States U23 3 (0)
2022– United States 26 (1)
Medal record
Women's soccer
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Team
CONCACAF W Championship
Winner 2022 Mexico
CONCACAF W Gold Cup
Winner 2024 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 1, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 27, 2024

At the international level, Coffey made her senior national debut in 2022. She won the gold medal with the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Early career

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Youth

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Coffey played youth club soccer for Match-Fit Academy and New York Soccer Club, where she was a five-time "region 1 team" honoree and named an All-American. In high school, she played for the Masters School, located in Dobbs Ferry, where she was selected as team MVP all four years and was a team captain for two seasons. She was named the league player of the year three times, and scored 100 goals in high school.[1]

Boston College

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Coffey began her college soccer career with the Boston College Eagles in 2017. She led the team in assists and points as a freshman, and was selected to the All-ACC third team and freshman team. She was her team's co-rookie of the year, and was the Boston College Freshman Scholar Athlete of the Year.[1] As a sophomore in 2018, she helped the team reach the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament, their first appearance since 2015. She was the team leader in both goals and assists, and was a semi-finalist for the Hermann Trophy. She was a United Soccer Coaches first-team All-American, was included in the All-ACC first team, and was selected as the ACC midfielder of the year. In both years she was also included in the All-ACC Academic Team. During her two seasons at the school, she started all 40 games, scoring 17 goals and recording 24 assists.[3][4]

Penn State

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Coffey with Penn State 2019

In December 2018, it was announced that Coffey would transfer to Pennsylvania State University to play for the Nittany Lions starting in the 2019 season.[5] She enrolled in classes at the school in January 2019.[6] In her junior season in 2019, she scored 11 goals and recorded 10 assists, ranking second in the Big Ten Conference with her 32 points. She helped the team to win the 2019 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament, in which she scored an equalizing penalty goal in the final against Michigan to send the game to extra time.[7] The team advanced to the round of 16 of the 2019 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament before losing 2–0 to eventual champions Stanford. During her senior 2020–21 season, which was postponed to spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coffey scored 6 goals and recorded 12 assists in 16 matches for the team as a captain. Penn State were eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2020 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament, losing to eventual runner-up Florida State. As the NCAA granted all student-athletes another year of eligibility due to the pandemic, Coffey played her fifth college season in 2021 as a graduate student. She recorded 8 goals and 8 assists in 21 games, with the team losing in the round of 16 of the 2021 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament to South Carolina.

In all three seasons, Coffey was included in the All-Big Ten and All-North Region first teams. She was included in the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Second Team in 2019, and the CoSIDA Academic All-America First-Team in 2020–21. She was selected as the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year in 2020–21, and in the same season was included in the Senior CLASS Award First Team All-America. In 2019 and 2020, she was also included in the CoSIDA Academic All-District first team. Coffey made 62 appearances during her three seasons at Penn State, scoring 25 goals and recording 30 assists. She finished her collegiate career with 42 goals and 54 assists in 102 appearances, becoming the 50th player in NCAA Division I to tally 40 goals and 40 assists.[1][8][9]

Club career

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Portland Thorns FC

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After the NCAA granted all student-athletes another year of eligibility due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Coffey decided not to enter herself into the 2021 NWSL Draft as she was uncertain about her future. Nevertheless, she was still entered into the draft, and was selected by Portland Thorns FC with the 12th overall pick in the second round.[10] However, she ultimately decided to play an additional year of college soccer with Penn State.[11]

On January 7, 2022, the Portland Thorns signed Coffey to a two-year contract.[12] She made her debut for the team in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup on March 18, 2022, playing the full match in a 1–1 away draw against OL Reign.[13] She made her NWSL regular season debut on April 30, 2022, playing the full match in a 3–0 home win over the Kansas City Current.[14] She quickly became a regular starter, starting in 26 games in 2022 (20 regular season, 4 Challenge Cup, and 2 playoff).[15] She helped the Thorns win the NWSL Championship that year, was nominated for NWSL Rookie of the Year, and was on the 2022 NWSL Best XI First Team.[16][17]

International career

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Youth

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Coffey was a member of the United States youth squads on the under-18, under-19, and under-20 levels. With the under-18 team, she attended six training camps and played in two international tournaments.[1] At the under-20 level, she was included in the U.S. squad for the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship, held in Trinidad and Tobago.[18] The team finished as runners-up after losing the final on penalties to Mexico.[19] However, the team still qualified for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France, though Coffey was not selected as a squad member.[20]

Senior

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In June 2022, Coffey earned her first call-up to the United States women's national team for two friendlies against Colombia.[21][20] Despite being uncapped, Coffey was later added as an injury replacement for Ashley Hatch after the group stage of the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, but was not called on to play.[22][23] She earned her first cap, and first start, in a friendly against Nigeria on Sept. 6, 2022, and played three further matches that year.[24][25] She was called up again for friendly matches in September 2023 but did not play.[26][27] She scored her first, and to date only, international goal in a friendly against China PR on December 5, 2023.[28]

Coffey was selected to the 18-player roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in France.[29] She started in the gold medal game against Brazil, which the United States won 1–0 on a goal from Mallory Swanson.[30]

Personal life

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Coffey was born in New York City to Wayne Coffey, a sportswriter who previously worked for the New York Daily News, and Denise Willi. She grew up in Sleepy Hollow, New York, and attended the Masters School.[1] She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Pennsylvania State University at the end of 2020, and began pursuing her graduate degree at the school afterwards.[31] Her sister Alex is a sportswriter who previously wrote for The Athletic and currently covers the Philadelphia Phillies as beat reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer.[32]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of November 10, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Playoffs[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Portland Thorns FC 2022 NWSL 19 1 4 0 2 0 25 1
2023 22 0 4 0 1 0 27 0
2024 24 2 — 1 0 25 2
Career total 65 3 8 0 4 0 77 3
  1. ^ Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Includes NWSL Playoffs

International

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As of match played October 27, 2024
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2022 4 0
2023 3 1
2024 19 0
Total 26 1
Scores and results list United States's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Coffey goal.
List of international goals scored by Sam Coffey
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 December 5, 2023 Frisco, Texas   China 1–1 2–1 Friendly [m 1]

Honors

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Penn State Nittany Lions
Portland Thorns FC
United States U20
United States

Individual

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Sam Coffey". Penn State Nittany Lions. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "National team roster – 2022 Concacaf W Championship: USA" (PDF). CONCACAF. June 8, 2022. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  3. ^ "Sam Coffey". Boston College Eagles. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "2021 Boston College Women's Soccer Record Book" (PDF). Boston College Eagles. August 27, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Smart, Bradley (December 19, 2018). "Women's Soccer Star Sam Coffey To Transfer To Penn State". The Heights. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  6. ^ "Sam Coffey Joins Women's Soccer". Penn State Nittany Lions. December 18, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Nittany Lions Win Big Ten Tournament Championship". Penn State Nittany Lions. November 10, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "Women's Soccer 2021 Media Guide". Penn State Nittany Lions. August 19, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 Penn State University Women's Soccer: Overall Statistics" (PDF). Penn State Nittany Lions. November 21, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  10. ^ Herrera, Sandra (January 14, 2021). "2021 NWSL draft results: Emily Fox, Trinity Rodman and Brianna Pinto lead list of picks in trade filled night". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  11. ^ Schlapp, Ethan (March 12, 2022). "Masters alumna Sam Coffey prepares for pro soccer debut". Tower. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "Thorns FC sign midfielder Sam Coffey to multi-year deal". Portland Thorns FC. January 7, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Costello, Brian (March 18, 2022). "Challenge Cup Recap | Thorns FC begin tournament play with 1–1 draw against OL Reign". Portland Thorns FC. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  14. ^ Costello, Brian (March 18, 2022). "Match Recap | Thorns FC open 2022 regular season with big 3–0 win over Kansas City Current". Portland Thorns FC. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  15. ^ "#17 Sam Coffey | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  16. ^ "Sam Coffey". Portland Thorns FC. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "NWSL Announces Winners of Mastercard Best XI Awards". nwslsoccer.com. October 25, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "Klimkova Names 20-Player U.S. Roster for 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in Trinidad & Tobago". United States Soccer Federation. January 10, 2018. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "USA Falls to Mexico 4–2 on PKs in 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship Final". United States Soccer Federation. January 28, 2018. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "'A dream come true': Thorns FC midfielder Sam Coffey hopes to make lasting impression in first USWNT call-up". Portland Thorns FC. June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "Andonovski Names 23-Player U.S. Women's National Team Roster For Concacaf W Championship In Mexico" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "Midfielder Sam Coffey Replaces Forward Ashley Hatch On U.S. Women's National Team Roster For Concacaf W Championship" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. July 11, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  23. ^ Anderson, Jason (July 11, 2022). "USWNT to replace injured Ashley Hatch with Sam Coffey". USA Today. Pro Soccer Wire. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  24. ^ "U.S. Women's National Team Defeats Nigeria 2–1 In Front Of Packed Stadium In Washington, D.C." ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  25. ^ "Sam Coffey | USWNT | U.S. Soccer Official Site". ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  26. ^ "Brace from Lynn Williams and goal from Trinity Rodman lead USWNT to 3–0 win against South Africa in Julie Ertz's farewell match". ussoccer.com. September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  27. ^ "U.S. Women's National Team downs South Africa 2–0 in Megan Rapinoe's final international match". ussoccer.com. September 24, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  28. ^ "USWNT vs. China PR: Highlights & Match Recap | U.S. Soccer Official Website". ussoccer.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Linehan, Meg (June 26, 2024). "Alex Morgan not selected to USWNT for Paris Olympics: Full roster for 2024 Games". The Athletic. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  30. ^ Mathews, Max (August 10, 2024). "USWNT vs Brazil live updates: Mallory Swanson breaks deadlock in Paris Olympics 2024 women's soccer final". The Athletic. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  31. ^ "Sleepy Hollow's Sam Coffey Earns Academic All-America Honors". River Journal. July 6, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  32. ^ "Profile: Alex Coffey". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  33. ^ Azzi, Alex (October 30, 2022). "Portland Thorns win 2022 NWSL Championship, MVP Smith scores game winner". On Her Turf. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  34. ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (August 10, 2024). "Brazil 0-1 United States: Emma Hayes leads USA to Olympic gold". BBC Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  35. ^ Das, Andrew (July 19, 2022). "U.S. Women Beat Canada to Claim Spot in Paris Olympics". The New York Times.
  36. ^ "Horan the hero as USA down Brazil to win W Gold Cup crown". CONCACAF.com. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  37. ^ "2024 Shebelieves Cup final USWNT vs Canada result". U.S. Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  38. ^ "Portland Thorns FC Midfielder Sam Coffey Named June Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 23, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  39. ^ Clarke, Ryan (June 27, 2022). "Four Portland Thorns players named to NWSL Best XI for June; Smith, Coffey earn individual honors". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  40. ^ "NWSL Announces September/October Best XI of the Month, Presented by Mastercard". nwslsoccer.com. October 14, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  41. ^ "NWSL Announces Winners of Mastercard Best XI Awards". NWSL Soccer. November 3, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  42. ^ "NWSL Announces Winners of 2023 Mastercard Best XI Awards". November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
Match reports
  1. ^ "U.S. Women's National Team Defeats China PR 2–1 in Final Match of 2023". U.S. Soccer. December 5, 2023.
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