Gisele Thompson Bio
Gisele Olivia Thompson, born December 2, 2005, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right back for Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team. Thompson made her professional debut for Angel City in her hometown of Los Angeles on March 17, 2024, and quickly established herself as one of the league’s most promising young talents. She has achieved notable success at a young age, winning bronze medals at the 2023 Pan American Games and the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Standing 5 feet 4 inches tall, Thompson combines technical skill with tactical awareness, contributing both in defense and in attack. She also represents the United States at the senior international level and is widely regarded as a rising star in women’s soccer.
Early Life and Background
Gisele Olivia Thompson was born in Los Angeles, California, on December 2, 2005, to her parents Mario Thompson and Karen Thompson. She is 13 months younger than her older sister, Alyssa Thompson, who is also a professional soccer player. The Thompson family is of African-American, Filipino, and Peruvian descent, reflecting a rich cultural heritage that has shaped their close-knit family bonds.
In 2013, Thompson’s parents registered both her and Alyssa at the Total Futbol Academy when Gisele was just eight years old, allowing them to compete on boys’ teams and develop their technical skills. In 2015, the sisters transferred to Real So Cal of the Elite Clubs National League, where they played until the COVID-19 pandemic halted organized sports. Thompson attended Harvard-Westlake School, where she also competed on the track team in addition to playing club soccer.
Path to Soccer
When the pandemic disrupted regular play, Thompson and her sister joined the Santa Clarita Blue Heat of the second-division United Women’s Soccer league, becoming the only high school students in the league. From 2022 to 2023, she developed her game with the Blue Heat, gaining valuable senior-level experience at a young age. In early 2023, she began training with NWSL team Angel City FC, where her sister Alyssa had been drafted as the number one overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
On December 7, 2023, Angel City FC announced the signing of Thompson to a three-year professional contract, a move made possible by NWSL rules allowing her to be signed directly because she was under 18 at the time. She had previously been committed to playing college soccer at Stanford before choosing the professional path.
Gisele Thompson Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Thompson began her senior career with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat in 2022, where she played as a teenager against experienced opponents in the United Women’s Soccer league. Her performances for the Blue Heat drew national attention and established her as one of the top young prospects in American soccer. Her development in this environment prepared her for the demands of professional play.
Alongside her club career, Thompson represented the United States at multiple youth international levels, including the U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19, and U-20 teams. She played for the U-17 women’s national team at the 2022 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship, gaining valuable tournament experience on the international stage.
Angel City FC Breakthrough (2024–Present)
Thompson made her professional debut for Angel City FC on March 17, 2024, in an NWSL match against Bay FC, entering as a substitute for her older sister Alyssa in her hometown of Los Angeles. On May 18, 2024, she started her first match for Angel City in an away game against Washington Spirit, a 4–2 defeat in which she and Alyssa became the first sisters ever named to the same starting lineup in NWSL history. She recorded her first NWSL assist on October 20, 2024, during the final home match of the 2024 season against Utah Royals, helping Sydney Leroux score the equalizer in a 1–1 draw that also marked the 100th goal in Angel City’s history.
In 2025, Thompson continued her rise. She scored her first professional goal on May 2, 2025, against the Washington Spirit, finishing an assist from her sister Alyssa to become part of the first sister combination for a goal in NWSL history, in a 4–3 win. On June 6, 2025, she was named to the NWSL Best XI of the month for the first time, with a goal and two assists across four matches in May. On September 5, 2025, she signed a new contract with Angel City extending her time with the club through 2029, making her one of the highest-paid players in the NWSL.
International Career (2019–Present)
Thompson’s international career began with the United States U-15 team in 2019, and she progressed through the U-16, U-17, U-19, and U-20 youth national teams. At the 2023 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, she helped the U.S. team win gold. She was later selected for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she recorded an assist against Morocco, scored against Paraguay, and assisted in the third-place match against the Netherlands, helping the United States earn bronze, their best result at the tournament since 2012.
On February 11, 2025, Thompson received her first official call-up to the senior national team for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, joining her sister Alyssa. She made her senior debut on February 20, 2025, coming on as a substitute against Colombia in a 2–0 victory, and on February 23, 2025, she started against Australia alongside Alyssa, becoming part of the second pair of sisters to play together for the U.S. senior team.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Thompson’s signature moments are her first professional goal assisted by her sister, the first NWSL Best XI monthly honor in 2025, and her senior international debut. She and Alyssa also set multiple NWSL history marks, including the first sister pair in a starting XI and the first sister goal combination in league history.
Gisele Thompson Career Wins
Thompson’s verified honors include a bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with the United States youth national teams. She also contributed to a gold medal for the United States at the 2023 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship.
International Highlights
At the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, Thompson played a key role for the United States, recording an assist against Morocco, scoring against Paraguay, and adding another assist in the third-place victory over the Netherlands. At the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, she helped the U.S. team earn a bronze medal. At the 2023 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, she was part of the squad that won gold.
Other Performances
With the Santa Clarita Blue Heat from 2022 to 2023, Thompson gained valuable senior experience as a teenager in the United Women’s Soccer league. Her time with the Blue Heat helped prepare her for the NWSL and international stages that followed.
Gisele Thompson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Thompson was raised in Los Angeles by her parents, Mario Thompson and Karen Thompson, alongside her older sister, Alyssa Thompson. The family is of African-American, Filipino, and Peruvian descent. Both parents supported the sisters’ athletic development from a young age, enrolling them in soccer academies when Gisele was eight years old.
Personal Life
Gisele Thompson maintains a close relationship with her older sister, Alyssa Thompson, with whom she shares both club and international duties at Angel City FC and the United States. The two sisters have set multiple firsts together in the NWSL. Thompson attended Harvard-Westlake School, where she also ran track. In 2022, she and Alyssa became the first high school athletes to sign a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike, and both sisters are also sponsored by Stifel.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a breakout year for Thompson at Angel City FC. She scored her first professional goal on May 2, 2025, against the Washington Spirit, assisted by her sister Alyssa, in a 4–3 win. On June 6, 2025, she was named to the NWSL Best XI of the month for May, recognizing a goal and two assists across four matches.
On the international stage, Thompson made her senior United States debut during the 2025 SheBelieves Cup in February, appearing against Colombia and starting against Australia alongside Alyssa. On September 5, 2025, she signed a new contract with Angel City FC extending her time with the club through 2029, making her one of the highest-paid players in the NWSL and cementing her status as a central figure in the club’s long-term plans.
