The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) features some of the most skilled and talented female soccer players in the world. Among these exceptional athletes, there are a few who stand out not only for their abilities but also for their impressive height.
In this article, we explore the tallest soccer players in the NWSL, examining their individual achievements and contributions to their respective teams.
Some of the tallest players in the NWSL create quite an impact on the field, utilizing their height to excel in various positions, primarily as defenders and goalkeepers. These players often use their height to win headers, disrupt the opposition’s aerial game, and make crucial saves.
Although it’s important to note that height alone isn’t the determining factor for success; it is the combination of their physical attributes, technical skills, and tactical understanding that makes these players truly formidable. So, without further ado, let’s get started with our list of the top 10 tallest NWSL soccer players of 2023.
Table of Contents
- 7. Jessica McDonald 5’11” / 180cm
- 6. Bella Bixby 6’0″ / 183cm
- 5. Sam Mewis 6’0″ / 183cm
- 4. Katie Lund 6’1″ / 185cm
- 3. Taylor Kornieck 6’0″ / 183cm
- 2. Casey Murphy 6’1″ / 185cm
- 1. Marisa Bova 6’2″ / 188cm
7. Jessica McDonald 5’11” / 180cm
Jessica McDonald, born on February 28, 1988, currently plays as a forward for Racing Louisville FC and the United States Women’s National soccer team. Standing at a height of 5’11” (180 cm), she is one of the tallest players in the league.
McDonald’s journey in professional soccer started with her college career in Phoenix College where she played not only soccer, but also basketball and track. She transferred to the University of North Carolina in her sophomore year, where she won a national championship with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Later, she played for various clubs in NWSL and abroad such as:
- Chicago Red Starts
- Melbourne Victory
- Seatle Reign FC
- Portland Thorns FC
- Houston Dash
- Western New York Flash
- North Carolina Courage
- Racing Louisville
- Western United
McDonald’s tall stature enables her to swiftly transition from defense to offense and score powerful header goals. Her abilities to score goals are second to none. She is the first player to reach 33 goals during an NWSL regular-season.
Apart from playing in several NWSL clubs, Jessica McDonald participated in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the United States women’s national team, further solidifying her reputation in women’s soccer and enhancing her team’s overall performance.
6. Bella Bixby 6’0″ / 183cm
Bella Bixby, whose full name Annabella Madeleine Bixby, was born on November 20, 1995, in Milwaukie, Oregon. She currently plays as a goalkeeper for Portland Thorns FC.
Bixby attended Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Oregon, where she excelled in soccer. On February 5, 2014, she signed a letter of intent to play at Oregon State University where she said a record of 394 career saves.
Bixby has being with Portland Thorns FC since 2018. Bixby has had a significant impact on the team’s performance since joining the team. In her sixth season with the club, she played a crucial role in securing the team’s NWSL Shield win in 2021 by settting a league record for most consecutive shutouts minutes to begin aregular-season career.
The same year, Bixby earned her first call-up to the United States Women’s National soccer team.
She earned her third championship title in 2022. During these two seasons, she racked up an impressive 18 clean sheets, demonstrating her prowess as a goalkeeper.
Though Bella Bixby may not be one of the tallest soccer players in the NWSL compared to her peers, her skills and determination have more than proven her worth as a standout goalkeeper. Her height has allowed her to make incredible saves earning many “Saves of Week” in the league, just like the one below.
She remains a valuable asset to her team, and her presence on the field has contributed greatly to Portland Thorns FC’s successes in recent years, one of reasons her contract with the Thorns was extended for 3 more years in 2022.
5. Sam Mewis 6’0″ / 183cm
Samantha June Mewis, also known as Sam Mewis, was born on October 9, 1992 in Hanson, Massachussetss. She is currently plays as a midfielder for the Kansas City Current and the United States national team.
Mewis stands at an impressive height of six feet, making her one of the tallest players in the NWSL. She is a ball-winning force in the center of the U.S. midfield and is known for her opportunistic attacks.
Mewis’ height and athletic abilities have contributed to her growing impact in both club and national soccer games.
Before joining the Kansas City Current, Mewis had a successful college soccer career at UCLA, where she helped lead the Bruins to multiple collegiate successes. Following her time at UCLA, Mewis has had a prosperous professional career, including winning three NWSL championships.
Some of Sam Mewis’ career achievements include:
- 3-time NWSL champion
- 83 international caps for the United States
- Numerous individual awards and recognitions
Mewis’ talent and stature have been influential factors in her soccer career and have set her apart from other players in the world of women’s soccer. Her height has allowed her to score several header goals in the different clubs she has play for such as the Manchester City, where she player during the 2020/2021 season.
As she continues to display incredible skill and build upon her successes, it would not be surprising to see even more accolades added to her impressive resume.
4. Katie Lund 6’1″ / 185cm
Katie Lund, born on November 27, 1996 in Plano, Texas, currently plays as a goalkeeper for the Racing Louisville FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Standing at 6 feet and 1/2 inch (185 cm) tall, Lund is one of the tallest players in the league, which gives her a distinct advantage in goalkeeping.
Her height allows her to cover a larger area of the goal, making it more difficult for opponents to score. In addition, Lund’s long reach aids her in catching crosses and making fingertip saves that would otherwise be out of reach for shorter goalkeepers.
Among some of her career highlights, Lund was selected by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft from Washington Spirit. Also, during the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, Lund showcased her abilities as a top goalkeeper, with 18 shots on target faced and a save percentage of 77.8% at the moment of writing this article.
Lund’s impressive stature and skills have earned her a prominent role as Racing Louisville FC’s goalkeeper. One of the most impressive moments in Lund’s short career has been his official debut against FC Bayern Munich for the Women’s Cup.
In that game, Katie came on the second half as a substitute goalkeeper, and made an amazing performance during the penalty kick after the game finished with an 1 to 1 equalizer.
During the penalty kick shootout, Lund scores and immediately saves a penalty kick to beat the German team. Check out the video below for such an incredible accomplishment on her first professional game.
3. Taylor Kornieck 6’0″ / 183cm
Taylor Kornieck, born on November 22, 1998 in Troy, Michigan, is also American soccer player known for her impressive height. She currently plays as a midfielder for the National Women’s Soccer League club San Diego Wave FC and the United States national team.
Standing at 6-foot-1, Kornieck holds the distinction of being the tallest field player in the history of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). Her height gives her a unique advantage on the field, making her a formidable presence in aerial battles and set-pieces.
Before joining the San Diego Wave FC, Kornieck honed her skills at the University of Colorado, where she played as a midfielder for their athletics department. During her time there, she earned numerous accolades, including the 2016 Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week.
Kornieck’s performance with the Wave led her to receive her first call-up to the USWNT on June 13, 2022. Since then, she continues to contribute to the team’s success through her versatile playing style and commanding presence on the field.
2. Casey Murphy 6’1″ / 185cm
Casey Grace Murphy, born on April 25, 1996 in Bridgewater, New Jersey, stands out in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for her height. At 6-foot-1 tall, Murphy plays as a goalkeeper for the North Carolina Courage.
Murphy took an interest in soccer at an early age, starting at just five years old. As she progressed through her soccer journey, she transitioned to a full-time goalkeeper position with her travel soccer team around the age of 12 or 13.
This early commitment to the position would eventually lead her to become Rutgers’ all-time career shutout leader, ranking her as the second highest in the Big Ten.
Her professional career has seen her play for various teams, including Montpellier HSC, OL Reign, and now, the North Carolina Courage.
In addition to her height, Murphy has amassed an impressive statistical record while playing in the NWSL, Division 1 Féminine, and Champions League. Her performance in both domestic and international games showcases her talent, making her one of the league’s standout goalkeepers.
1. Marisa Bova 6’2″ / 188cm
Marisa Bova, born in August 6, 2000 in Heartland, Wisconsin, is the tallest players in the NWSL with a 6-foot-2 height! She currently plays as a goalkeeper for North Carolina Courage as she was drafted 45th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
Before joining the NWSL, Bova had a successful collegiate career at Purdue University. During her time at Purdue, she earned multiple records for the university such as being the number 1 for saves in a season with a total of 113 in 2021, which eventually led to her selection in the NWSL draft.
In the 2023 NWSL season, Bova has not yet made any appearances according to her ESPN profile at the moment of this writing. However, her skill as a goalkeeper could potentially see her making an impact on the field in future matches.
