Ashlyn Harris

Ashlyn Harris is recognized as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in American women's soccer, with a career spanning two decades of international competition and domestic play. Harris emerged on the international stage at age 16, serving as the youngest starter and helping the United States secure the title at the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup for female youth players. Her saves were instrumental in the U.S. team's overtime victory over Canada to win the first title. Harris continued her success at the collegiate level, winning three NCAA Championships with the University of North Carolina. Her path to these titles included overcoming multiple ACL tears and a torn hip labrum during her college years, demonstrating resilience that characterized her career.

Harris built a professional soccer career across multiple leagues and continents, playing for Saint Louis Athletica, Washington Freedom, and Western New York Flash in Women's Professional Soccer, as well as FCR 2001 Duisburg in the Frauen-Bundesliga in Germany and Tyresö FF in the Swedish Damallsvenskan. She later joined Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride, and Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League. Harris earned the Goalkeeper of the Year Award twice, in Women's Professional Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League, and set a new NWSL all-time career save record. She became the first NWSL player to reach 500 saves before retiring after 12 professional seasons.

Internationally, Harris was a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion. She made her full national team debut in a draw with Sweden at the Algarve Cup in Portugal and played 25 matches for the United States, including 21 starts, facing 21 different countries, recording nine shutouts, and finishing with a 17-2-2 record. Harris was a member of both the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup-winning squads and participated in all 10 seasons of the National Women's Soccer League, spending 20 years with the U.S. Women's National Team programs.

Following her retirement from professional soccer, Harris has focused on advocacy, media, and creative leadership. She serves as Global Creative Advisor for Gotham FC, working to elevate women's sports. Harris hosts the podcast "Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris," a platform for guests and listeners to share their experiences, featuring conversations with figures from sports, entertainment, fashion, music, and politics. She joined the board of directors of the Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ advocacy organization.

Harris has been open about her personal challenges, sharing her experiences with depression, aggression, and Adderall addiction as a youth and young adult. She is involved with the mental health-focused nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms. Harris shares her story in the Roku Original documentary "Gamechangers: The Ashlyn Harris Story," highlighting her journey on and off the soccer field. Her advocacy for mental health, resilience, identity, and equality in women's sports continues to influence audiences and the broader sports community.