Chardonnay Curran Bio
Chardonnay Matauaga Curran (born August 18, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder. She currently plays for Rio Ave FC of the Portuguese Campeonato Nacional Feminino, widely known as Liga BPI. Curran rose to prominence after a record-setting college career with the Oregon Ducks and a 2022 NWSL Draft selection by the Kansas City Current.
Born in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii, Curran built her reputation on durability, consistency, and a willingness to stay on the field in every situation. After stops in the National Women’s Soccer League with Kansas City and Chicago, she continued her professional journey in Europe. In March 2026, she also received approval from FIFA to represent the Philippines at the international level.
Early Life and Background
Chardonnay Matauaga Curran was born on August 18, 1999, in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii, in the United States. She grew up in a large, tight-knit family as the daughter of Marie and Joe Curran. She has three sisters, Charis, Charity, and Charissa, and the siblings share a Samoan, Filipino, Irish, and German heritage that has shaped her identity.
Her early exposure to soccer came through the youth setup of Hawaii Rush, a well-known club on the islands that has produced multiple collegiate and professional players. Curran developed her game in the islands before being recruited to the University of Oregon. Her childhood in Hawaii and her family environment helped her develop the work ethic that later defined her collegiate career.
Path to Soccer
Curran joined the Oregon Ducks for the 2017 college season and quickly became a fixture in the program. Across five seasons with the Ducks, she made 92 appearances and scored seven goals, including three game-winners. She took advantage of the NCAA’s COVID eligibility extension to play a fifth year, which allowed her to further extend her record totals.
By the end of her college career, Curran held Oregon records for matches played, consecutive matches played, and career starts. Her durability and consistency made her one of the most reliable midfielders in the Pac-12 Conference. That résumé pushed her into the professional ranks, where she was selected 17th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft by the Kansas City Current.
Chardonnay Curran Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Curran began her professional career with the Kansas City Current after being taken 17th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft. She slotted into a midfield group that was building toward championship contention, and her experience as a high-volume college starter translated well to the professional level.
Across two seasons with the Current, she made 30 total appearances and scored her first professional goal, a game-winning tally in an international friendly against CF Monterrey. Her reliability and willingness to fill a variety of roles helped the club during a critical competitive stretch. At the end of the 2023 season, however, Kansas City waived Curran, opening the next chapter of her career.
Chicago Stars Era (2024–2025)
In 2024, the Chicago Red Stars acquired Curran’s playing rights through the NWSL waiver wire process. She joined a club in transition and quickly earned minutes as a regular contributor in midfield. Her professional experience and fitness gave the Red Stars a dependable option in the center of the park.
She made 17 league appearances during her time with the franchise, which rebranded as Chicago Stars FC. Her stint ended on July 29, 2025, when she and the club agreed to a mutual contract termination, freeing her to pursue a move abroad.
Rio Ave Era (2025–Present)
On August 20, 2025, Curran signed with Rio Ave FC of the Campeonato Nacional Feminino, the top tier of women’s club soccer in Portugal. The move marked her first professional stint outside the United States and gave her a new competitive environment in European football.
At Rio Ave, Curran joined a club competing in Liga BPI, with the chance to expand her tactical game against international opposition. Her transition to Portugal reflects a growing trend of American college-and-NWSL veterans testing themselves abroad.
Driving Style and Strengths
Curran’s game is built on consistency, fitness, and positional discipline. Her college record for consecutive matches played shows she can handle the physical demands of a long season, and her willingness to take on different midfield roles has made her a flexible option for her coaches. Her first professional goal, a game-winner against CF Monterrey, highlighted a willingness to step up in decisive moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include setting Oregon’s records for career appearances, consecutive matches, and starts, being selected 17th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and earning a move to Portuguese top-flight soccer with Rio Ave in 2025. In March 2026, she received FIFA approval to switch her international allegiance to the Philippines, a landmark moment in her career.
Chardonnay Curran Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Curran comes from a multicultural background, with Samoan, Filipino, Irish, and German roots. Her heritage and family life in Hawaii have been central to her story as a player and a person.
Personal Life
She is the daughter of Marie and Joe Curran and has three sisters named Charis, Charity, and Charissa. Her upbringing in Hawaii and her close family ties have remained a steady influence throughout her career transitions.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of significant transition for Chardonnay Curran. She began the year with the Chicago Stars FC after joining the club in 2024 and appeared in 17 league matches across her time there. Her role helped stabilize a franchise that was rebranding and reshaping its roster.
On July 29, 2025, Curran and the Stars reached a mutual contract termination, clearing the path for an international move. Just three weeks later, on August 20, 2025, she signed with Rio Ave FC in Portugal’s Campeonato Nacional Feminino. The Portuguese top flight gave her a new competitive platform and an opportunity to develop in a different football culture.
Looking ahead, Curran enters 2026 with fresh momentum after completing her FIFA-approved switch to the Philippines national team in March 2026. Her combination of NWSL experience, record-setting durability from college, and a new European chapter positions her for an important year with both club and country.