Hannah Betfort Bio
Hannah Claire Betfort (born January 4, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). A native of Charleston, South Carolina, she came up through the youth soccer scene in the Lowcountry before earning a walk-on spot at Wake Forest University, where she became a two-time team captain.
Since turning professional in 2021, Betfort has played for three NWSL clubs, including Portland Thorns FC and the Utah Royals, and has contributed goals in regular-season play, the NWSL Challenge Cup, and the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Standing 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall, she has played both forward and defender during her career.
Early Life and Background
Hannah Claire Betfort was born on January 4, 1999, in Charleston, South Carolina. She grew up in Charleston County and attended Wando High School, where she developed as a forward for the school’s soccer program. Her size and finishing touch were evident early, and she quickly became one of the most productive attackers on her high school roster.
Betfort led her team in scoring during each of her first three seasons at Wando, a run of consistency that brought her regional recognition. She was nominated for the South Carolina state Gatorade Player of the Year award, an honor that recognizes the top high school player in each state. Those performances laid the foundation for her eventual transition to college soccer.
Path to Soccer
Although Betfort was not initially recruited to play college soccer, she attended a Wake Forest University summer camp and earned a walk-on invitation to join the Demon Deacons from head coach Tony da Luz. That opportunity launched her four-year collegiate career, where she would earn a starting role as a freshman and eventually lead the team as a captain.
As a freshman in 2017, Betfort started 17 of 20 regular-season matches for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and scored five goals, a strong debut that established her in the lineup. During her sophomore year, the coaching staff moved her from forward to defender, where she played centre-back and right full-back, an adjustment that broadened her tactical understanding. She served as team captain during her last two seasons, demonstrating the leadership qualities that would later serve her at the professional level.
Her college tenure concluded in 2020, and she entered the 2021 NWSL Draft as one of the more versatile prospects in her class. Portland Thorns FC selected Betfort with the 37th-overall pick, beginning her professional career in the Pacific Northwest.
Hannah Betfort Career
Early Career (2021)
Hannah Betfort made her professional debut on August 19, 2021, entering as a substitute against the Houston Dash during the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup. The appearance came during her rookie year with the Portland Thorns, who were already among the league’s most decorated clubs. She finished her first regular season with one NWSL appearance as Portland won the NWSL Shield that year.
Her initial professional minutes were limited, but the environment at the Thorns provided a high-level learning ground. Working alongside experienced teammates and a championship-level staff, Betfort refined her game and prepared for a larger role the following season.
Portland Thorns Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Betfort scored her first professional goal on July 16, 2022, in a 5–0 victory against NJ/NY Gotham FC. She finished the 2022 regular season with one goal in seven appearances, including one start, while Portland placed second in the league standings. Although she sat out late in the season, the Thorns went on to win the 2022 NWSL Championship.
On January 27, 2023, the club re-signed Betfort to a two-year contract with an option for an additional year. She appeared in all six 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup matches, starting four, and recorded two goals and one assist in a 4–1 win over the San Diego Wave on July 21 in the group stage. In the regular season, she contributed two goals across ten appearances with four starts as Portland again finished second in the league. She entered the 2023 playoffs as a substitute for Morgan Weaver in a 1–0 semifinal loss to eventual champions NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Utah Royals Era (2024)
On December 12, 2023, Portland traded Betfort, a 2024 NWSL Draft pick, and allocation money to the Utah Royals ahead of the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft, in a move tied to draft protection. The trade gave her a fresh opportunity as a regular contributor in Utah.
Betfort scored her first goal for the Royals on July 28, 2024, in a 3–1 Summer Cup group-stage win against her former club, Portland Thorns. She finished the 2024 Summer Cup with two goals in three games as Utah won their group. In the NWSL regular season, she recorded two goals in 24 appearances with 18 starts, as Utah placed 10th of 14 teams. Despite negotiations over her 2025 option, Betfort did not return to the club.
North Carolina Courage Era (2025–Present)
On January 17, 2025, Betfort signed a two-year contract with the North Carolina Courage, joining a club in the middle of an ambitious rebuild. The move reunited her with a competitive NWSL environment and offered a clear path to regular minutes as a forward.
She scored her first goal for the Courage on June 21, 2025, finishing off an assist from Manaka Matsukubo in a 2–1 home win over the Houston Dash. The goal signaled her growing influence in the attack and her fit within the team’s style of play.
Playing Style and Strengths
Betfort is a versatile attacker who has played both forward and defender at the collegiate and professional levels. Her 5 ft 10 in frame gives her a physical presence in the air and in hold-up play, while her college experience at centre-back sharpened her tactical awareness and defensive instincts. She has produced goals across regular season, Challenge Cup, and Summer Cup competitions, and has shown a willingness to contribute in different roles when asked.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Betfort’s career include her first NWSL goal against NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2022, her two-goal, one-assist performance against the San Diego Wave in the 2023 Challenge Cup, and her first goal for the Courage in 2025. She was also part of Portland’s NWSL Shield-winning squad in 2021 and the club’s run to the 2022 NWSL Championship.
Hannah Betfort Career Wins
Across her professional career, Hannah Claire Betfort has been part of teams that have lifted silverware and has scored goals in regular season, the NWSL Challenge Cup, and the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Her team achievements include the 2021 NWSL Shield and the 2022 NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns, as well as a 2024 Summer Cup group-stage title with the Utah Royals.
Portland Thorns Highlights
During her time with the Portland Thorns, Betfort contributed to the club’s 2021 NWSL Shield win as a rookie and was part of the squad that captured the 2022 NWSL Championship. Her first professional goal came on July 16, 2022, in a 5–0 victory against NJ/NY Gotham FC, and she added a two-goal, one-assist outing against the San Diego Wave during the 2023 Challenge Cup group stage.
Other Wins and Performances
Betfort helped the Utah Royals win their group in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, scoring twice in three matches. Her first goal for Utah came against her former club Portland Thorns on July 28, 2024. Internationally, she represented the United States at the under-18 level in 2018.
Hannah Betfort Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Betfort grew up in Charleston County, South Carolina, and attended Wando High School, where she led her team in scoring across her first three seasons. She was nominated for the South Carolina state Gatorade Player of the Year award during her high school career.
Personal Life
Betfort is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. Details about her immediate family and personal relationships have not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NWSL season marks Betfort’s first year with the North Carolina Courage after signing a two-year contract on January 17, 2025. The move came after her 2024 campaign with the Utah Royals, in which she recorded two goals across 24 regular-season appearances and helped Utah win their Summer Cup group.
Betfort opened her account with the Courage on June 21, 2025, scoring in a 2–1 home win over the Houston Dash off an assist from Manaka Matsukubo. That goal highlighted her growing chemistry with the team’s creative players and her ability to finish in tight matches. With her contract running through 2026, she is positioned as a regular contributor in the Courage attack heading into the stretch run of the season.