Brittany Ratcliffe Bio
Brittany Margaret Ratcliffe (born February 7, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward. She currently plays for Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Standing 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m), Ratcliffe is known for her pace, movement off the ball, and knack for scoring timely goals in tight matches across the NWSL.
Ratcliffe played college soccer at the University of Virginia before being selected in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She has since suited up for the Boston Breakers, FC Kansas City, the Utah Royals, the North Carolina Courage, and the Washington Spirit. A former second-round pick, she has built a steady professional career as a versatile attacking option in the league.
Early Life and Background
Ratcliffe was born on February 7, 1994, in Williamstown, New Jersey, United States. She was raised in the Williamstown section of Monroe Township, in Gloucester County, a community with a strong tradition of youth soccer. Her upbringing in South Jersey shaped her early development and love for the sport.
She attended Paul VI High School, where she played on the school’s soccer program and developed into a college-level prospect. The combination of school soccer and local club competition gave her the foundation to compete at the next level.
After high school, Ratcliffe enrolled at the University of Virginia, where she joined the Virginia Cavaliers women’s soccer team. Over the course of her college career, she appeared in 93 matches for the program, establishing herself as a reliable contributor in the attacking third.
Path to Soccer
Ratcliffe’s path to the professional ranks began with her time at the University of Virginia, where she produced consistent performances over multiple seasons. Her 93 appearances for the Cavaliers demonstrated durability and the ability to contribute across the front line.
Her college production drew attention from NWSL clubs ahead of the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She entered the draft process as a forward with experience in a competitive Atlantic Coast Conference environment, a setting that prepared her for the tactical demands of professional play.
In the 2016 NWSL College Draft, Ratcliffe was selected in the second round by the Boston Breakers. The selection marked the formal transition from college soccer to the professional ranks and provided her with the platform to begin her NWSL career.
Brittany Ratcliffe Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Ratcliffe signed with the Boston Breakers in April 2016 after being drafted by the club. As a rookie, she made 15 appearances and 5 starts, gaining valuable minutes against established NWSL competition. The Breakers later waived her in February 2017.
She joined the Chicago Red Stars for the 2017 preseason, but after she did not make the final roster, Ratcliffe signed with FC Kansas City on April 14. Her time in Kansas City was brief, but it allowed her to continue her development as a professional forward.
Utah Royals Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Following the dissolution of FC Kansas City after the 2017 season, Ratcliffe was officially added to the roster of Utah Royals FC on February 8, 2018. The move gave her a stable home in the league and an expanded role within the squad.
One of her most memorable moments came on June 16, 2018, when she scored a stoppage-time goal to secure a 1–0 road win over the league-leading North Carolina Courage. That result handed the Courage their only loss of the season, and her strike was voted NWSL Goal of the Week. The performance cemented her reputation as a late-game difference-maker.
Ratcliffe remained with the Utah Royals through the 2020 season, continuing to contribute as a forward and providing depth and experience to the team’s attacking rotation.
North Carolina Courage Era (2021–2023)
Ratcliffe signed with the North Carolina Courage in 2021, joining one of the NWSL’s most decorated clubs. The move paired her with a championship-caliber roster and an environment focused on contending for the NWSL title.
She spent the 2021 through 2023 seasons with the Courage, contributing as a forward during a competitive stretch for the franchise. The run added to her résumé of experience across multiple contending NWSL environments.
Washington Spirit Era (2024–2025)
On January 11, 2024, Ratcliffe signed a three-year contract with the Washington Spirit after entering free agency. The deal signaled a fresh chapter in her career with another NWSL contender.
During her tenure with the Spirit, she served as an experienced forward within the squad. She departed the club in 2026 by mutual contract termination, closing a productive two-season stint in Washington.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ratcliffe’s most celebrated moment remains her June 16, 2018 stoppage-time goal for the Utah Royals against the North Carolina Courage, which was voted NWSL Goal of the Week and denied the Courage a win in their only loss of that season. Her 93-match college career at Virginia and her continued longevity across multiple NWSL clubs stand as additional milestones in her professional journey.
Brittany Ratcliffe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ratcliffe was raised in Williamstown in Monroe Township, New Jersey. Limited public information is available regarding her immediate family background.
Personal Life
Brittany Margaret Ratcliffe maintains her professional career in the NWSL. Limited public information is available regarding her personal relationships.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 NWSL season, Ratcliffe was part of the Washington Spirit squad, working under the contract she signed in January 2024. The season provided her with a stable environment to contribute as an experienced forward.
Across the year, she continued to provide depth and veteran presence in the Spirit’s attacking rotation, drawing on her years of experience with the Boston Breakers, FC Kansas City, the Utah Royals, and the North Carolina Courage.
Ratcliffe departed the Spirit in 2026 by mutual contract termination. Looking ahead, she joined Seattle Reign FC in January 2026 on a one-year deal with a mutual option for another year, opening a new chapter of her NWSL career.
