Joelle Anderson Bio
Joelle Anderson (born October 6, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder or defender for Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She was born in San Jose, California, and played youth club soccer with De Anza Force. Anderson attended Pepperdine University, where she was named All-West Coast Conference (WCC) in each of her five seasons. After being drafted by the Houston Dash in the 2021 NWSL Draft, she played one more season with Pepperdine before joining Houston in the NWSL for the 2022 season.
Early Life and Background
Joelle Anderson was born in San Jose, California, and attended the Harker School, where she played varsity soccer and scored 101 goals, the second most in school history. She was inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame on October 13, 2023. Anderson played youth club soccer with De Anza Force for a decade from 2007 through 2017, which helped shape her skills and passion for the sport.
Path to Soccer
After her successful youth career, Joelle Anderson continued her soccer journey at Pepperdine University, where she played for the Pepperdine Waves from 2017 to 2021. During her time at Pepperdine, she was named All-West Coast Conference (WCC) in each of her five seasons. Over her college career, she played in 88 games, scoring 35 goals and providing 24 assists. Although selected by the Houston Dash in the 2021 NWSL Draft, Anderson opted to play one final year with Pepperdine before joining the Dash for the 2022 NWSL season.
Joelle Anderson Career
Early Career (2022-2023)
Joelle Anderson was drafted 26th overall in the third round of the 2021 NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash. She signed a two-year contract with the team on January 14, 2022. Anderson made her first professional appearance on April 24, 2022, as a substitute in Houston’s final match of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup group stage. She earned her first of two starts in the season on July 1, 2022, in a 2-1 loss to Kansas City Current. Anderson scored her first professional goal on July 16, 2022, in a 4-1 victory against the Chicago Red Stars. In the 2023 NWSL season, she gained more consistent starts and minutes, making 13 starts and 21 total appearances. Her lone goal of the 2023 season came in a comeback victory against the defending champions, Portland Thorns, on May 12, 2023.
Breakthrough (2024-Present)
On December 12, 2023, Joelle Anderson was acquired by NWSL expansion side Bay FC along with $25,000 in allocation money from the Houston Dash in exchange for 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft protection from Bay FC. This trade allowed Anderson to play for her hometown club. She started in Bay FC’s first NWSL match, a victory away to Angel City FC on March 19, 2024.
Notable Works and Milestones
Joelle Anderson’s signature work includes her impactful performances at both the college and professional levels. She has been recognized for her contributions to her teams, including her scoring ability and defensive skills.
Joelle Anderson Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Joelle Anderson has received recognition for her performances, particularly during her time at Pepperdine University, where she was consistently named All-West Coast Conference.
Joelle Anderson Awards Won
Joelle Anderson has not yet received any major awards in her professional career, but her achievements during her college years, including being named All-West Coast Conference multiple times, highlight her talent and potential.
Joelle Anderson Family
Joelle Anderson is the daughter of Michelle and Peter Anderson. She has two siblings, including a brother named Jeremiah, who played soccer at Westmont College.
Personal Life
Joelle Anderson maintains a relatively private personal life. Details about her relationships or marital status are not publicly available, as she focuses on her soccer career.