Bethany Balcer Bio
Bethany Catherine Balcer (born March 7, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a striker. Balcer played college soccer for the Spring Arbor Cougars, where she was a two-time NAIA national champion and three-time NAIA national player of the year. After going undrafted, she signed with the Seattle Reign, becoming the first NAIA player in the National Women’s Soccer League, and was named the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2019. She spent five-and-a-half seasons with the Reign, winning the NWSL Shield in 2022 and becoming the club’s third all-time top scorer before being traded to Racing Louisville in mid-2024.
Early Life and Background
Bethany Balcer grew up in Hudsonville, Michigan, where she attended Unity Christian High School. During her time there, she played varsity soccer and basketball, showcasing her athletic talents early on. Balcer is the fourth of five children in her family, which may have contributed to her competitive spirit and drive in sports.
Path to Soccer
Balcer attended Spring Arbor University from 2015 to 2019, where she was a four-year starter on the varsity soccer team. The Cougars advanced to the NAIA Final Four every year and won two national titles with Balcer on the team. She was named the NAIA national player of the year three times and earned first-team All-American honors all four years. While in college, Balcer played as an amateur with senior teams over the summer, leading Grand Rapids FC to a United Women’s Soccer championship in 2017 and winning the WPSL championship with Seattle Sounders Women the following year.
Bethany Balcer Career
Early Career (2017)
Balcer began her professional career in 2017 with Grand Rapids FC, where she made a significant impact by helping the team secure a championship. She then played for Seattle Sounders Women in 2018 before being drafted by the Seattle Reign in 2019. Balcer made her NWSL debut on April 14, 2019, and quickly established herself as a key player for the Reign, scoring her first professional goal in her first home game.
Breakthrough (2019-2024)
Balcer’s breakthrough came in her rookie season when she was named the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2019. She continued to excel with the Seattle Reign, becoming the club’s top scorer every season she spent there. Balcer played a crucial role in leading the Reign to the top of the standings in the 2022 season, winning the NWSL Shield. During her tenure with the Reign, she scored 33 regular-season goals, making her the third-highest scorer in the league from 2019 to mid-2024.
Notable Works and Milestones
Balcer’s signature achievements include being named the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2019 and winning the NWSL Shield in 2022. She is recognized as one of the top players in the league and has made a lasting impact on the Seattle Reign, becoming the club’s third all-time top scorer before her trade to Racing Louisville.
Bethany Balcer Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Bethany Balcer has received notable nominations, including the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2019, which she won, and multiple selections for NWSL Second XI.
Bethany Balcer Awards Won
Balcer has achieved significant recognition in her career, including being named the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2019 and winning the NWSL Shield with the Seattle Reign in 2022.
Bethany Balcer Family
Bethany Balcer is the fourth of five children in her family. Her brother Nicholas is a soccer referee working for PRO, NCAA, and MLS, while her sister Shannon is the head women’s soccer coach at Spring Arbor University.
Personal Life
Balcer is known for her Christian faith. She has maintained a focus on her career while balancing her personal life and family commitments.
