Alana Cook Bio
Alana Simone Cook (born April 11, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League and the United States national team. After playing collegiately for the Stanford Cardinal, Cook signed with French club Paris Saint-Germain. She debuted for the United States national team in 2019 and was selected for the squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, she is recognized for her composure in defense and her leadership at both club and international level.
Early Life and Background
Cook was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, to parents Florence and Bryan Cook and raised alongside her sister Brianna in Worcester and Far Hills, New Jersey. Her British father gave her eligibility to represent England, a fact that later shaped part of her international story. Growing up across two regions, she absorbed a range of competitive environments that helped shape her disciplined approach to the game.
She attended The Pennington School, a boarding school in Pennington, New Jersey, where she helped guide the varsity soccer team to regional and state titles. Her high school performances earned her the 2013 New Jersey Prep Player of the Year award and the 2015 NSCAA High School Scholar Player of the Year honor. She was twice named an NSCAA Youth All-American and earned Best XI honors in the NSCAA High School All-America Game, while also playing club soccer for Match Fit Academy Colchesters and winning the 2013 U.S. Youth Soccer National League title.
Path to Soccer
Cook began representing the United States on its youth national teams as a teenager, starting with the under-17 squad, which she also captained. She moved up to the under-20 team in 2014 and joined the under-23 team in 2017, captaining the latter group in 2019. These early international experiences sharpened her reading of the game and prepared her for the demands of senior professional soccer.
From 2015 to 2018, she attended Stanford University, where she earned a degree in symbolic systems while starting every season for the Stanford Cardinal women’s soccer team. She captained the Cardinal in her final two seasons and was named Pac-12 Conference Defender of the Year and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2018. In January 2019, she chose to forgo the NWSL College Draft and signed a three-year deal with French Division 1 Féminine team Paris Saint-Germain.
Alana Cook Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Cook began her senior career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, stepping into one of Europe’s top women’s leagues as a young center back. The move allowed her to train and compete at an elite level while adjusting to the speed and tactical demands of European football. Her time at PSG established her as a dependable defender with strong positional awareness.
On June 16, 2020, Cook joined OL Reign on a short-term loan for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, giving her first taste of American professional soccer. The experience introduced her to the NWSL environment and set the stage for a permanent return to the league. She returned to PSG briefly before completing a full transfer back to the United States.
OL Reign Breakthrough (2021-2024)
On June 7, 2021, OL Reign signed Cook to a three-year contract with an option for an extra year on a permanent transfer from PSG. During the 2021 season, she was a starting defender in all 20 matches of the regular season, helping the Reign finish second with a 13-8-3 record. After advancing to the NWSL Playoffs, the team was eliminated by eventual champions Washington Spirit, and Cook was named to the league’s Best XI.
In 2022, Cook helped OL Reign finish in first place during the regular season, winning the NWSL Shield. Her consistent performances at center back earned her nominations for NWSL Defender of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, reflecting her status among the league’s top defenders. She remained a cornerstone of the Reign back line through 2024.
Kansas City Current Era (2024-Present)
On July 22, 2024, Seattle Reign announced that they had traded Cook to Kansas City Current for allocation money and intra-league transfer funds. The move placed her within one of the NWSL’s most ambitious clubs, known for significant investment and a deep roster. Cook quickly became part of the Current’s defensive core as the club pushed for championship contention.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cook is recognized for her strong aerial ability, calm distribution from the back, and intelligent reading of opposing attacks. Her time at Stanford and PSG shaped a center back who combines physical presence with composure in possession. She is also noted for her leadership qualities, having captained teams at every level of her development.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cook’s senior international debut came on October 31, 2019, marking the start of her career with the United States national team. In June 2023, she was named to the U.S. squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, a milestone that reflected her standing within the program. Earlier in her career, she won the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship with the United States.
Alana Cook Career Wins
Across club and international play, Cook has built a résumé marked by regular-season success, a continental title, and individual recognition in the NWSL. Her senior club honors include the 2022 NWSL Shield with OL Reign, while at international level she won the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship with the United States. Individual accolades include selection to the NWSL Best XI and nominations for NWSL Defender of the Year.
NWSL Highlights
During her time at OL Reign, Cook was a starting defender in all 20 regular-season matches in 2021 and helped the club win the 2022 NWSL Shield with a first-place regular-season finish. She was named to the NWSL Best XI in 2021 and was nominated for NWSL Defender of the Year in both 2021 and 2022. After being traded to Kansas City Current in 2024, she continued as a regular starter in the club’s defensive unit.
International Performances
Cook has represented the United States at the under-17, under-20, under-23, and senior levels, captaining the U-17 and U-23 squads. She debuted for the senior team in 2019 and was part of the squad that won the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship in Mexico. She was also selected for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Alana Cook Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Cook was raised by her father, Bryan Cook, and her mother, Florence Cook, alongside her sister, Brianna. Her British father also made her eligible to represent England at the international level, and she was called up as a training player for England’s friendlies against Portugal and Brazil in September 2019. The family’s support across her moves between Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Europe helped underpin her development as a professional.
Personal Life
Cook follows a plant-based diet, a lifestyle choice she has spoken about publicly. She continues her professional career with the Kansas City Current while representing the United States national team.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 NWSL season represents Cook’s first full campaign with the Kansas City Current after her mid-2024 trade from Seattle Reign. Having settled into the club’s defensive structure, she is expected to remain a central figure in the back line alongside her teammates. The Current will look to build on their recent investment and push deeper into the NWSL Playoffs.
Internationally, Cook’s experience with the senior squad and her selection for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup position her as a reliable option for the United States coaching staff heading into 2025. Her combination of aerial strength and tactical discipline makes her a candidate to feature in major tournaments and qualifying fixtures during the year. With the CONCACAF W title already on her résumé, she will be motivated to add further honors at both club and international level.