Bea Franklin Bio
Elizabeth Cashman “Bea” Franklin, born on October 4, 2000, in Seattle, Washington, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, Franklin wears jersey number 20 for the Stars and has quickly established herself as a versatile contributor in the midfield. She was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in the third round of the 2024 NWSL Draft and has since made significant contributions to her team, including notable performances during her rookie season.
Before turning professional, Franklin distinguished herself as a two-sport collegiate athlete, playing both soccer and basketball at the University of Arkansas after beginning her career at the University of Notre Dame. Her combination of size, technical ability, and basketball-derived spatial awareness has made her a unique presence in the NWSL.
Early Life and Background
Franklin was raised in Seattle, Washington, where she grew up playing club soccer for Crossfire ECNL. In addition to soccer, she dabbled in several other sports during her youth, including tennis and basketball, an athletic foundation that would later influence her multi-sport college career. Her father, Jesse Franklin IV, competed in rowing at the University of Washington and was inducted into the university’s hall of fame in 1999, embedding a strong athletic pedigree within the family.
Franklin attended Seattle Preparatory School, where she led the girls’ soccer team to three Seattle Metro Championship titles and the Washington State Championship in 2015. During her time with Seattle Prep, she scored 59 goals and contributed 26 assists. Her high school excellence was recognized with the 2018–19 Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year award, the Seattle Times Player of the Year honor, and two selections to the all-state first team.
Path to Soccer
Franklin’s path to professional soccer began with her commitment to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, one of the most storied programs in collegiate women’s soccer. After two seasons in South Bend, she transferred to the University of Arkansas, where she would elevate her game and become one of the top midfielders in the Southeastern Conference. Her development at Arkansas, combined with the additional year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed her to refine her skills and position herself for the NWSL Draft.
Bea Franklin Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Franklin started her college soccer career with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2019. In her freshman year, she appeared in 15 games, starting four, and scored her first collegiate goal on October 31, 2019, against Wake Forest in the 77th minute. That goal helped the Fighting Irish clinch a spot in the 2019 ACC Championship match. The following year, Franklin played in four games, accumulating 96 minutes of total playing time before deciding to transfer.
Arkansas Razorbacks Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Franklin joined the Arkansas Razorbacks ahead of the 2021 fall campaign. In her first season, she played in 18 games, starting half of them, and netted her first Razorback goal on October 21, 2021, against Auburn. She scored four more goals that season and accumulated 1,667 minutes. As a senior, Franklin started every match for the Razorbacks and scored her first career brace on November 18, 2022, in a 5–2 NCAA Tournament victory over Ohio State.
In her final season at Arkansas, Franklin took advantage of the extra year of NCAA eligibility due to COVID-19, starting every match, scoring a team-high nine goals, and leading the team in assists and points. Her outstanding play earned her SEC Midfielder of the Year, All-SEC First Team, USC All-America Second Team, and USC All-Southeast Region First Team honors. Following the soccer season, she joined the Arkansas Razorbacks women’s basketball team, making her collegiate basketball debut on December 7, 2023, against Louisiana Tech, appearing in three games.
Chicago Stars FC Era (2024–Present)
On January 12, 2024, Franklin was selected by the Chicago Red Stars in the third round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, 41st overall. She signed her first professional contract on March 13, 2024, a one-year deal with an additional club option. Franklin made her professional debut on March 29, 2024, entering as a substitute for Julia Bianchi in a draw versus the Orlando Pride. On September 1, 2024, she scored her first professional goal in a 2–1 defeat to Angel City FC. Despite a one-game suspension in June due to misconduct against the Kansas City Current, Franklin made 16 appearances and started Chicago’s lone playoff match, a 4–1 defeat to eventual champions Orlando.
Midway through her second professional season, Franklin re-signed with Chicago through the 2027 NWSL campaign. On September 7, 2025, she participated in the Stars’ first-ever game at their eventual 2026 home venue, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, scoring a headed goal in a 5–2 victory over the Orlando Pride.
Driving Style and Strengths
Franklin’s basketball background gives her strong spatial awareness, aerial ability, and comfort in contested physical duels. Her height of 5 feet 10 inches allows her to compete effectively in the air, as evidenced by her headed goal against Orlando Pride in 2025. She combines these physical tools with the technical passing range and transitional awareness expected of a modern NWSL midfielder.
Notable Events and Milestones
Franklin’s first professional goal came on September 1, 2024, against Angel City FC, and her headed strike on September 7, 2025, marked a historic moment as Chicago’s first goal at Northwestern Medicine Field. She also started in Chicago’s first playoff match of her career during the 2024 postseason.
Bea Franklin Career Wins
Franklin’s professional career is still in its early stages, but she has already accumulated key contributions for Chicago Stars FC, including goals in both her rookie and sophomore campaigns.
NWSL Highlights
Franklin was drafted 41st overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2024 NWSL Draft and went on to make 16 appearances during her rookie season, including a playoff start. In 2025, she re-signed with the club through 2027 and scored a memorable headed goal in the Stars’ first-ever match at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, a 5–2 win over Orlando Pride.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Franklin led Arkansas in goals, assists, and points in her final season and earned SEC Midfielder of the Year honors. She also led Seattle Preparatory School to three Seattle Metro Championships and a Washington State title.
Bea Franklin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Franklin comes from a deeply athletic family. Her father, Jesse Franklin IV, was a rower at the University of Washington and was inducted into the university’s hall of fame in 1999. Her brother, Jesse Franklin V, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2020 MLB Draft, continuing the family’s tradition of competitive sports.
Personal Life
Franklin remains connected to her Seattle roots, though her professional career currently keeps her based in Chicago. Her family background in college rowing and professional baseball reflects a household where high-level athletics was the norm rather than the exception.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NWSL season has been a defining year for Franklin and the Chicago Stars FC. Midway through the campaign, she committed her long-term future to the club, signing a contract extension that runs through the 2027 season. This stability has allowed her to focus on her development as a central midfielder and contributed to a more consistent run of form for the Stars.
One of the highlights of Franklin’s 2025 season came on September 7, when she scored a headed goal in Chicago’s 5–2 victory over the Orlando Pride at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The match marked the Stars’ first-ever game at their planned 2026 home venue, and Franklin’s finish added a memorable chapter to the occasion. Her growing role within the team has been reflected in her increased minutes and her importance in both defensive transitions and attacking build-up play.
Looking ahead, Franklin and the Chicago Stars FC will aim to build momentum heading into the latter part of the 2025 NWSL season and a potential playoff push. With a multi-year contract in hand and a year of professional experience behind her, Franklin is positioned to remain a key part of Chicago’s midfield for years to come.