Hailie Mace Bio
Hailie Jenae Mace is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team. She was the second overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, although she chose to begin her professional career overseas before returning to the league. Over the course of her career, Mace has played in Sweden, Australia, and the United States, establishing herself as a versatile defender and a two-time NWSL Best XI Second Team selection.
Known for her tactical flexibility, Mace has lined up at center back, right back, and left wing during her time in the NWSL. Her ability to read the game and contribute in the attack has made her a valuable asset at every stop in her career, from FC Rosengård in Sweden to the Kansas City Current, where she helped the club capture the NWSL Shield in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Hailie Jenae Mace was born on March 24, 1997, in Ventura, California, where she was raised. She attended Buena High School and grew up playing both soccer and volleyball, initially featuring as a forward on the soccer field. In her senior year of high school, Mace moved from Ventura FC to Eagles SC of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), a step that helped raise her competitive profile.
Despite her eventual success, Mace did not draw heavy recruitment interest during high school. It was only after her mother created and sent a highlight tape to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) that the program took notice. UCLA coach Amanda Cromwell traveled to a tournament in San Diego, California, to scout Mace in person, and the university then offered her a scholarship to play for the Bruins.
Path to Soccer
Mace arrived at UCLA in 2015 and quickly established herself as a dependable defender. In her freshman year, she led all Bruin freshmen in games played with 19 appearances. The following season, she started all 22 games for UCLA and helped the team record nine shutouts, primarily playing as a center back.
Heading into her junior year, the UCLA coaching staff shifted Mace to forward to take advantage of her attacking instincts. In 2017, she led the Bruins with four game-winning goals, led the Pac-12 Conference with 13 goals, and started every game as UCLA advanced to the 2017 College Cup final, where the team fell 3–2 to rival Stanford. That season, Mace was named a Hermann Trophy semifinalist, first-team All-American, All-West Region, and All-Pac-12.
Hailie Mace Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Mace’s college career at UCLA set the foundation for her professional trajectory. Her growth from a defensive freshman starter into one of the nation’s most dangerous attacking college players caught the attention of NWSL scouts, and her senior-year switch back to defense further enhanced her professional profile.
Her first-team All-American honors and Pac-12 goal-scoring title made her one of the most talked-about prospects in the 2019 NWSL College Draft. Sky Blue FC selected her second overall, but Mace chose to pursue opportunities abroad before beginning her NWSL career.
Melbourne City and FC Rosengård Breakthrough (2019)
Mace made her professional debut with Australian club Melbourne City FC on a guest-player contract. Coming off the bench against the Newcastle Jets, she scored twelve minutes after subbing on to help Melbourne City win 4–0, an opening statement that announced her arrival on the international stage.
In February 2019, Mace signed with Swedish club FC Rosengård of the Damallsvenskan, wearing the No. 16 jersey. She debuted for the club on March 8, 2019, and in June, the club extended her contract through November. On October 30, 2019, FC Rosengård won the Damallsvenskan league title, giving Mace her first major professional trophy.
North Carolina Courage Era (2020–2021)
On January 10, 2020, Mace’s NWSL rights were traded to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for McCall Zerboni. She made her debut in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup against Portland Thorns FC, recording an assist on North Carolina’s first goal in a 2–1 win. During this period, North Carolina loaned her to Swedish club Kristianstads DFF from August to November 2020, where she helped the side finish third and qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Mace scored her first NWSL goal on May 28, 2021, against Racing Louisville FC in the 75th minute, then added a second goal in the 89th minute to seal a 5–0 win for North Carolina. Her growing comfort in the league set the stage for a midseason trade that would define the next phase of her career.
Kansas City Current Era (2021–2025)
On July 22, 2021, the Courage traded Mace to Kansas City NWSL, then in its inaugural season, along with teammates Kristen Hamilton and Katelyn Rowland, in exchange for Amy Rodriguez and allocation money. She debuted the very next day against her former North Carolina side in a scoreless draw and quickly became a regular starter for the club.
In 2022, Mace scored four goals in 18 league games while playing primarily at left wing, starting 17 matches. After finishing fifth in the regular season, she played every minute of the playoffs as the renamed Kansas City Current reached the 2022 NWSL Championship, falling 2–0 to the Portland Thorns. She was named to the NWSL Best XI Second Team and signed a three-year contract extension on December 19, 2022.
During the 2025 NWSL season, Mace played 23 regular-season games, starting 15, while covering both right back and center back. She helped the Current claim the NWSL Shield with the best record in the league, setting multiple league records including most points, most wins, and fewest goals allowed. Although the Current were upset 2–1 by Gotham FC in the quarterfinals, Mace was again named to the NWSL Best XI Second Team. On November 11, 2025, she announced on Instagram that she would not be re-signing with the Current as a free agent.
Orlando Pride Era (2026–Present)
On December 2, 2025, the Orlando Pride announced that they had signed Mace to a three-year contract. She made her Pride debut on March 15, 2026, earning the start in Orlando’s season-opening defeat to the Seattle Reign. Wearing the No. 5 jersey, Mace joined a Pride side looking to build on its recent run of success in the NWSL.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Mace’s career came on October 30, 2019, when FC Rosengård won the Damallsvenskan title, giving her a championship pedigree early in her career. She later became part of a record-setting Kansas City Current side in 2025 that set NWSL benchmarks for most points, most wins, and fewest goals allowed in a single season, and she has twice been recognized on the NWSL Best XI Second Team.
Hailie Mace Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Hailie Jenae Mace was raised in Ventura, California, by a family that supported her athletic development from an early age. Her mother played a particularly important role in launching her college career, creating a highlight tape that ultimately convinced UCLA to recruit her. The family’s belief in her potential helped pave the way for a scholarship at one of the top soccer programs in the country.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Mace’s personal life are limited, and she has kept much of it private. Her social media presence, including her verified Instagram account, has offered glimpses into her training and match-day routines, but she has not publicly shared details about a spouse or children. Mace continues to be regarded as a dedicated professional whose focus has remained on her development as a defender at the top levels of the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NWSL season was a landmark year for Hailie Mace and the Kansas City Current. Playing across both right back and center back, she started 15 of 23 regular-season games and served as a reliable presence in a back line that anchored the league’s stingiest defense. The Current cruised to the best record in the NWSL, capturing the NWSL Shield and setting league records for most points, most wins, and fewest goals allowed in a season.
Despite the dominant regular season, the Current were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs, falling 2–1 to Gotham FC. Mace’s individual play, however, was widely recognized, as she earned a second career selection to the NWSL Best XI Second Team, a reflection of her consistency and adaptability across multiple positions.
Off the pitch, the season was equally significant for Mace’s future. On November 11, 2025, she announced on Instagram that she would not be re-signing with the Current as a free agent, closing a productive four-year chapter in Kansas City. Just three weeks later, the Orlando Pride announced the signing of Mace to a three-year contract, setting the stage for a new chapter with the Pride beginning in 2026.