By OkayGoal 
There are some players who can be overlooked at the beginning of their careers. They might receive some attention, but not the amount that they truly deserve. One such player is Portland Thorns’ Sam Coffey. The Sleepy Hollow, NY native’s immense talent has been on display in the NWSL and with the USWNT in the past couple of years. Sam Coffey is simply a player you can’t ignore; here’s what you should know about the midfielder.
Her Time in College
She played for Boston College for two seasons before moving to Penn State. Coffey won many accolades with Boston, such as first-team All-American and ACC Midfielder of the Year. She was also selected as Boston College Freshman Scholar Athlete of the Year in her freshman year.
When Coffey transfered to Penn State, she continued her excellent form. She was named to the United Soccer Coaches Second Team Scholar All-America and First-Team All-Big Ten. One year later, she won the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year.
Breaking Records
In 2021, Sam Coffey also earned the First Team All-Big Ten Honors and All-North Region First Team. Finally, she became the 50th in NCAA Division I soccer history to score 40 goals and have 40 assists.
With Penn State, Coffey stayed an extra year because of COVID-19. She led the team to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. It’s safe to say that she had an amazing collegiate career.
Sam Coffey’s Time With The USWNT
Sam Coffey’s time with the USWNT started way back before she made it to the first team. She played at the U-18, U-19, and U-20 levels and captained the last two.
Coffey was part of the USWNT team that won the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She was essential for Emma Hayes’ side, and her absence was felt when she missed a match due to being suspended.
“They don’t make players like Sam Coffey anymore,” said Hayes, according to the Associated Press. Hayes is right. When Coffey wasn’t picked for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, she didn’t let that discourage her.
Fighting For Her Place
“Ultimately I had a choice after that: I could feel bad for myself and kind of sulk my way through it, or I could pick myself up, continue to get after it, continue to grow and not let a setback or a failure define me,” she said regarding missing out on the World Cup roster. She later made her first appearance in an international championship when she joined the Olympic roster.
“She [Coffey] was respected, but never given a full chance. It was difficult for her to compete for roster spots and playing time among more veteran players,” wrote Coffey’s sister Alex for the Philadelphia Inquirer. But now, Coffey has booked her spot.
Her Time At The NWSL
Sam Coffey was drafted 12th overall by the Portland Thorns FC. She has been playing for them since then. During her time in the NWSL, the midfielder kept proving herself to anyone who might have doubted her. She was the 2022 NWSL Rookie of the Month in June. She was also named to the NWSL Best XI in 2022 and 2023.
“There is no other place in the U.S., in my opinion, that has the same energy and culture around supporting women’s soccer than in Portland… I just feel so honored that I get to play there and I get to experience it,” she said, according to Penn State Alumni Association.
Off The Pitch
Sam Coffey has given back a lot to the community. This was one of the reasons why she was nominated for the 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award.
In an article written for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sam Coffey’s sister also described how Coffey was a community volunteer. She “spends her Christmas Eves handing out backpacks full of food, water, and handwritten notes, not for publicity, but because it is the right thing to do,” she wrote.
Interest From The WSL
The 26-year-old midfielder has been in the NWSL since 2022, and this was enough time for her to impress. According to BBC, Chelsea showed interest in Sam Coffey earlier this year. While she remains in the NWSL, a move to the WSL might be possible in the future, especially as a player of her caliber.
She previously told AllForXI she planned to start her professional career overseas instead of in America. “That was a desire of mine in college when I didn’t know enough about the NWSL,” she said. So maybe her initial dream will come true one day.
What Does the Future Look Like For Coffey?
Coffey is in top form now, but still has much to offer. Even at this stage in her life, she is one of the best players in the USWNT.
“I think she’s the best holding midfielder in this league,” said Christine Sinclair, according to Just Women’s Sports. “I think the future for her is whatever she wants it to be,” Sinclair continued.
Her Thorns teammate Sophia Smith also had good things to say about Coffey. “Her time will come, I have no doubt. I fully believe that she will be the holding midfielder on the national team for a very long time,” Smith said.
Indeed, Sam Coffey’s future is more than bright. When you think of how the upcoming years will look for her, you can’t help but see her continuing with the USWNT. She still has a lot to offer and is definitely a player to cheer for.
Image via Getty Images
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