Jaelin Howell Bio
Jaelin Marie Howell (born November 21, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States women’s national team. She played college soccer for the Florida State Seminoles, where she won the Hermann Trophy in two consecutive seasons (2020 and 2021) and lifted national championships in 2018 and 2021. Howell has become one of the most accomplished young American midfielders of her generation, recognized for her reading of the game, composure in possession, and leadership on the field.
Early Life and Background
Jaelin Marie Howell was born on November 21, 1999, in Windsor, Colorado, and grew up in nearby Fort Collins. She comes from an athletic family; her father, John Howell, was an NFL safety and was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl XXXVII. That sporting background helped shape Howell’s competitive drive from a young age.
Howell attended Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, where she starred for the school’s soccer program. She was named an NSCAA All-American in 2015, signaling her status as one of the top youth players in the country. Outside of school, she developed her club game with Real Colorado, a well-known youth soccer organization in her home state.
Howell’s early development also included time on the international stage. She played alongside her youth club and high school teammate Sophia Wilson, who would later join her on the senior United States national team. These formative years in Colorado laid the foundation for her ascent through the American soccer system.
Path to Soccer
Howell’s path to the top of American women’s soccer began with her selection to United States youth national teams. She represented the United States at the under-17 level from 2015 to 2016, earning a place on the Best XI of the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship. That same year, she started in central midfield for the U-17 squad at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
On March 29, 2017, Howell received her first call-up to the U.S. women’s national soccer team, an unusually early summons for a teenage midfielder. She then moved to the under-20 setup, helping the United States finish as runner-up at the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship and representing the country at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. These experiences prepared her for a smooth transition into the senior international setup.
Jaelin Howell Career
College Career (2018–2021)
Howell played college soccer for the Florida State Seminoles from 2018 to 2021, where she quickly established herself as one of the top midfielders in NCAA Division I women’s soccer. She was part of Florida State’s national championship-winning squads in 2018 and 2021, contributing in central midfield during both title runs.
Her individual accolades were equally impressive. In 2020, Howell was awarded the Hermann Trophy, recognizing the United Soccer Coaches National Players of the Year in NCAA Division I women’s soccer. She won the award again in 2021, becoming only the second player to claim back-to-back Hermann Trophies and cementing her place among the all-time greats of the college game.
Racing Louisville FC (2022–2024)
Howell was selected second overall by Racing Louisville FC in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and on January 21, 2022, she signed a three-year contract with the club. She made her Racing Louisville debut on March 18 in the NWSL Challenge Cup opener, starting in midfield against the Kansas City Current. Despite being a rookie, she finished the year ranked second in the NWSL in minutes played among first-year players, trailing only her Racing teammate Savannah DeMelo, and she recorded two assists.
Howell’s leadership was recognized before the 2023 season, when she was named Racing Louisville’s captain. She wore the armband as the club continued to build its identity in the NWSL. Her time in Louisville came to a close midseason in 2024.
Seattle Reign FC (2024)
On August 19, 2024, Howell was traded to Seattle Reign FC along with $50,000 in allocation money in exchange for Bethany Balcer. She made her debut for Seattle on August 25, 2024, against the North Carolina Courage, entering the match as a substitute in the 75th minute. Although her stint in Seattle was brief, the move offered her a new environment and another chance to compete at the top of the NWSL.
Gotham FC Era (2025–Present)
On December 20, 2024, Howell joined Gotham FC as part of a trade that also saw goalkeeper Cassie Miller and forward Lynn Williams move to Seattle. The move gave her a fresh platform to chase team silverware, and she wasted no time delivering. On May 25, 2025, Howell started in the 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup final against Tigres, helping Gotham win 1–0 and become the inaugural winners of the competition.
She then went on to win the 2025 NWSL Championship in her first season with the Bats, capping a remarkable debut campaign with the New York-based club. Wearing the number 7 shirt, Howell has slotted in as a central figure in Gotham’s midfield and has been central to the team’s trophy-winning run.
Driving Style and Strengths
Howell is a central midfielder known for her tactical intelligence, clean distribution, and ability to dictate tempo from deep. She reads the game well, breaks up opposition attacks, and connects defense to attack with simple, accurate passing. Her composure on the ball and willingness to take responsibility in big moments have made her a trusted leader in every dressing room she has entered.
Notable Events and Milestones
Howell’s most notable milestones include being the second overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, winning two consecutive Hermann Trophies, being named Racing Louisville captain, and lifting both the 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup and the 2025 NWSL Championship in her first season with Gotham FC. She also became one of the few players to win multiple NCAA national championships and a professional league title in a short span.
Jaelin Howell International Career
Howell made her senior debut for the United States on November 27, 2020, entering as a substitute for Sam Mewis in the 89th minute against the Netherlands. She has since added a first senior international goal, scored in a 9–1 win over Uzbekistan. Her progression from the U-17 setup to the full national team reflects a steady rise through the U.S. Soccer development pathway.
Jaelin Howell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Howell was raised in an athletic household in northern Colorado. Her father, John Howell, played safety in the NFL and was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl XXXVII. That professional sports background gave Jaelin an early understanding of the work ethic required to compete at the highest level.
Personal Life
Howell maintains a close connection to her hometown of Windsor, Colorado, and continues to build her professional life around soccer. Her social media presence and club profile reflect a focused, family-oriented athlete who credits her upbringing for her competitive approach to the game.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been the most decorated year of Howell’s professional career. After joining Gotham FC in December 2024, she immediately became a key figure in the team’s midfield and helped the club lift the inaugural 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup with a 1–0 win over Tigres in the final on May 25, 2025. The triumph established Gotham as a regional power and gave Howell her first major senior trophy outside of college.
Howell carried that momentum into the NWSL campaign, where she played a central role in Gotham’s push toward the playoffs. Her calmness in possession, leadership in midfield, and consistency across a long season helped stabilize the squad during a demanding schedule that included league play and international duties with the United States.
The highlight of the year came when Gotham FC won the 2025 NWSL Championship, with Howell contributing as a starter in her first season with the Bats. The title capped a transformational year in which she moved clubs, won a continental trophy, and added a league crown, firmly establishing her as one of the NWSL’s most accomplished midfielders.