Emily Menges Bio
Emily Townsend Menges (born July 28, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). A durable defender known for her positioning and leadership at the back, she previously spent a decade with Portland Thorns FC, where she won two NWSL Shields and two NWSL Championships. Menges is widely regarded as one of the most consistent American center backs of her generation.
Early Life and Background
Emily Townsend Menges was born on July 28, 1992, in Garden City, New York. She grew up on Long Island and attended Garden City High School, where she developed into a standout defender. Her early commitment to the sport laid the foundation for a college and professional career marked by defensive reliability.
As a youth player, Menges competed for the Albertson Fury ’91, a prominent New York-area club. With that team she won three consecutive Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Open Cups from 2009 to 2011, establishing herself as a defender who could anchor championship-caliber sides. She also represented the Long Island Fury, helping the side capture the second-division Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) national championship in 2009. These early titles signaled her arrival on the broader American soccer scene.
Path to Soccer
Menges took her talents to Georgetown University, where she played for the Georgetown Hoyas from 2010 to 2013. She finished her college career as one of the most decorated players in program history, earning the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award and NSCAA First Team All-American honors in 2013. She was also a three-time All-Big East selection.
As a junior in 2012, she helped the Georgetown defense register a school-record 13 shutouts, and over her final two seasons she captained a unit that posted 23 clean sheets. By the end of her senior year she had appeared in 84 games with 83 starts, scored two goals, and been part of 40 shutouts. She was a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist in both 2012 and 2013, recognition that confirmed her status as one of the top collegiate defenders in the country.
Emily Menges Career
Early Career (2014)
Portland Thorns FC selected Menges with the 25th overall pick in the third round of the 2014 NWSL College Draft. She made her first appearance for the Thorns on April 12, 2014, helping the team record a shutout in a 1–0 road win against the Houston Dash. That debut performance offered an early indication of the defensive solidity she would provide throughout her professional career.
Portland Thorns FC Breakthrough (2014–2023)
Menges quickly became a fixture in the Thorns’ back line, forming a dependable central defensive partnership that anchored the team through one of the most successful eras in NWSL history. As a starting centerback, she played a key role in Portland’s run to the 2016 NWSL Shield, awarded to the club with the best regular-season record. Her consistent performances also made her a fan favorite, earning the Supporters’ Player of the Year award that same season.
She continued to contribute to Portland’s trophy haul when she helped the club capture the 2017 NWSL Championship, one of two league titles she would win with the Thorns. Across her decade in Portland, Menges was recognized for her durability and defensive intelligence, finishing third in NWSL Defender of the Year voting in 2021. During the 2019–2020 period, she went on loan to Melbourne Victory, gaining international experience before returning to the Thorns.
Bay FC Era (2024–Present)
In December 2023, Menges was acquired by Bay FC ahead of the expansion club’s inaugural NWSL campaign. The move marked a new chapter in her career, bringing veteran leadership to a young roster. She continued to serve as a center back and a stabilizing presence in the back line, helping establish the defensive standards for the new franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Menges is praised for her positional discipline, aerial ability, and calmness under pressure. Her ability to read the game and organize the back line has been a defining trait throughout her career, allowing her to adapt to different defensive partners and tactical systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Her signature moments include the 2016 NWSL Shield run with Portland, the 2017 NWSL Championship title, and her selection as Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2016. Her decade of service in Portland, followed by a leading role with Bay FC, marks her as one of the league’s most enduring defenders.
Emily Menges Career Wins
Across her club career, Emily Menges has accumulated a strong collection of team championships and individual awards, highlighted by two NWSL Shields and two NWSL Championships with Portland Thorns FC.
NWSL Highlights
Menges won the NWSL Shield with Portland in 2016 and added another in 2017, the same year she helped the Thorns lift the NWSL Championship. She was a key starter throughout that title-winning run and remained a regular in Portland’s defense for years afterward. Her supporters’ recognition in 2016 reflected her standing among the league’s most respected players.
Other Wins and Performances
Before turning professional, Menges won three consecutive ENYYSA State Open Cups with the Albertson Fury ’91 from 2009 to 2011 and helped the Long Island Fury claim the WPSL national championship in 2009. She was also part of Portland’s run to the 2017 NWSL Championship.
Emily Menges Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Emily Townsend Menges grew up in a close-knit family in Garden City, New York, where soccer was a central part of life. Her brother, Bobby Menges, passed away in 2017, an event that shaped the family’s ongoing charitable work.
Personal Life
Menges is the vice-president of the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, an organization started by the Menges family after her brother’s death in 2017. The foundation is dedicated to helping pediatric and young adult patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses. She married former teammate and coach Rhian Wilkinson on January 1, 2025. Their daughter, Rowan, was born on February 7, 2026.
2025 Season Performance
Emily Menges entered 2025 as a veteran center back for Bay FC, providing leadership and experience to a club still establishing itself in the NWSL. Her familiarity with high-level competition, built over a decade in Portland, helped anchor the team’s defensive structure throughout the season.
With her combination of positional awareness and consistency, Menges continued to be a reliable presence in Bay FC’s back line. She contributed to several clean sheets while mentoring younger defenders around her.
Looking ahead, Menges remains a central figure for Bay FC as the club builds its identity in the league. Her championship pedigree from Portland gives the franchise a steady defensive cornerstone as it works toward long-term competitiveness in the NWSL.