Abigail Mackenzie Smith Bio
Abigail Mackenzie Smith (born October 4, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Denver Summit FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Smith played college soccer for the Texas Longhorns and was drafted by Boston Breakers in the third round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She has also played for the Utah Royals, Kansas City Current, Portland Thorns, NJ/NY Gotham FC, and Houston Dash in the NWSL. She was part of two NWSL Championship–winning teams in the Thorns in 2022 and Gotham in 2023. Smith has represented the United States on the under-17, under-20, and under-23 national teams.
Early Life and Background
Abigail Mackenzie Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Plano, Texas. She began playing soccer in elementary school and played club soccer for the Dallas Texans 94 Red Soccer Club from 2005 to 2012. During the 2011–12 season, her team ranked first nationally in the ESPNHS Elite Clubs National League. Smith captained the team for four years and helped win the Nike Cup in Portland, Oregon, and the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2008. She participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2005 to 2010 and was a member of the Region III ODP Team. Smith played in the US Youth Soccer Region III championship finals in 2009 and earned the USYS ODP National Championship Golden Glove. Smith attended Plano West High School, where she was the starting goalkeeper on the girls’ soccer team. She graduated a semester early to facilitate travel with the national team. She was honored as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Youth All-America honoree in 2010 and 2011 and was named Parade Magazine All-American in 2010. Top Drawer Soccer ranked her as the 13th-best player in the United States and the second-best player in Texas. ESPNHS ranked her fifth among college prospects across the nation.
Path to Soccer
Abigail Smith attended the University of Texas, where she played for the Texas Longhorns from 2012 to 2015. During her freshman year, she was the starting goalkeeper in the last 12 matches of the season, allowing only eight goals and making 34 saves. She set a new record for a Texas rookie goalkeeper for the lowest goals-against average at 0.63 and tied the school record for shutouts by a freshman with seven. Smith’s .810 save percentage ranked first in the Big 12 Conference, and she helped lead a defensive line that tied the regular season record for fewest goals allowed in the Big 12 Conference. In her sophomore season, Smith started in all 20 matches and scored her first career goal. She recorded a 0.78 goals-against average and made 72 saves with eight shutouts. In 2014, she recorded nine shutouts, tying the school record for the most in a single season. Her 24 career shutouts ranked second in school history. Smith finished her senior season ranked first in the Big 12 Conference for total saves with 96 and saves-per-match with 5.33.
Abigail Mackenzie Smith Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Abigail Smith was drafted by Boston Breakers in the third round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft and signed with the team in April 2016. Unfortunately, she suffered a season-ending injury to her right knee during the second game of the season, which required rehabilitation. Despite this setback, she won the starting job at the beginning of the 2017 season and appeared in 19 games for the Breakers.
Breakthrough (2018–2020)
After the Boston Breakers folded prior to the 2018 NWSL season, Smith was selected by the Utah Royals with the fifth pick in the Breakers Dispersal Draft. She fully recovered from her knee injury and appeared in 17 games for the Royals during the 2018 season, helping the team achieve its first franchise win and earning a spot on the NWSL Team of the Month in May. In search of game time during the offseason, Smith went on loan to the Western Sydney Wanderers, where she appeared in eight matches and helped the club to its first appearance in the W-League finals.
Notable Works and Milestones
Smith’s signature work includes her contributions to the Utah Royals and her role in winning the NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns in 2022. She has been recognized for her performances, including being named to the NWSL Team of the Month.
Abigail Mackenzie Smith Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Abigail Smith has received various nominations, particularly for her performances in the NWSL and during her college career.
Abigail Mackenzie Smith Awards Won
Abigail Smith has been part of championship-winning teams, including the NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns in 2022 and NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2023.
Abigail Mackenzie Smith Family
Information about Abigail Smith’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Abigail Smith’s personal life details, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed.
