Alexa Spaanstra Bio
Alexa Christine Spaanstra (born February 1, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Virginia Cavaliers, where she was a five-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. Internationally, she has played for the United States youth national team, winning CONCACAF tournaments at the under-17 and under-20 levels. She was selected by the Kansas City Current in the first round of the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Alexa Spaanstra was born and raised in Brighton, Michigan, as the older of two children born to Andrea and Scott Spaanstra. Her father played college basketball for the Northern Michigan Wildcats, and her mother ran track at Aquinas College. Spaanstra played club soccer for the Michigan Hawks of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) starting at the under-11 level, helping the team win national ECNL titles in 2014 and 2017 and finish as runners-up in the years between. She was also a competitive sprinter, winning a national 200-meter dash at age 10 and lettering in track at Brighton High School. She was ranked by TopDrawerSoccer as the No. 7 recruit of the class of 2018.
Path to Soccer
Spaanstra was a five-year starter at forward and midfield for the Virginia Cavaliers from 2018 to 2022. During her college career, she helped Virginia win the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title in 2021 and reach the finals of the ACC tournament in 2019 and 2021, earning all-tournament honors in each of her first four seasons. As a freshman in 2018, she recorded nine goals and six assists, both joint team bests, and was named to the All-ACC third team and ACC All-Freshman team. In her sophomore year, she had three goals and a team-best twelve assists, including four assists in one game and two against Florida State in the ACC semifinals, earning second-team All-ACC honors. After missing about a month due to injury, she made the All-ACC first team with ten goals as a junior in 2020–21, including four goals in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament as the Cavaliers reached the semifinals. She recorded seven goals and nine assists as a senior in 2021, helping Virginia take the ACC regular season title, and was named second-team All-ACC. She finished her fifth season of eligibility with eight goals and was recognized as third-team All-ACC in 2022.
Alexa Spaanstra Career
Early Career (2023)
The Kansas City Current selected Spaanstra tenth overall in the first round of the 2023 NWSL Draft. She was signed to a two-year contract in February 2023. During her rookie season, she made fifteen appearances and five starts. Spaanstra recorded her first professional assist and her first goal in a 6–0 win over the Chicago Red Stars on October 7, 2023. She scored again the following week, helping salvage a 2–2 draw away at NJ/NY Gotham FC on October 15, and was recognized for her performances as the NWSL Rookie of the Month for September/October 2023. In the 2024 regular season, she started eight games and recorded a goal and an assist in eleven appearances for the Current.
Breakthrough (2024)
On August 19, 2024, Portland Thorns FC announced that they had acquired Spaanstra in a trade with the Kansas City Current in exchange for $25,000 in intra-league transfer funds and an additional $15,000 in allocation money. This move marked a significant step in her career as she joined one of the most successful teams in the league.
Notable Works and Milestones
Alexa Spaanstra’s signature work includes her impactful performances during her college career and her successful transition to professional soccer. She has been recognized for her contributions on the field, including being named NWSL Rookie of the Month.
Alexa Spaanstra Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Alexa Spaanstra has received several nominations and recognitions, particularly during her time at the University of Virginia and in her early professional career.
Alexa Spaanstra Awards Won
Alexa Spaanstra has achieved notable recognition, including being named to the All-ACC teams during her college career, highlighting her skills and contributions to her teams.
Alexa Spaanstra Family
Alexa Spaanstra is the daughter of Andrea and Scott Spaanstra. Her family has a strong athletic background, with her father having played college basketball and her mother being a track athlete.
Personal Life
Details about Alexa Spaanstra’s personal life are limited, focusing primarily on her athletic career and achievements.