Katie Lind Bio
Kathleen Camille Lind (née Naughton; born February 15, 1994) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a center back. She played college soccer for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before being selected by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. Over the course of her career, Lind suited up for the Chicago Red Stars, took loan spells with Australian clubs Adelaide United and Perth Glory, and finished her playing days with the Houston Dash. She is also a former United States youth international, having represented her country at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels.
Early Life and Background
Kathleen Camille Lind was born on February 15, 1994, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, to parents Tom Naughton and Claire Naughton. She is the only child of the couple and grew up in the Chicago suburbs, where she developed an early love for soccer. Lind attended Elk Grove High School and played her youth club soccer for the Chicago Sockers FC, a well-known pipeline for elite talent in the region.
Her time with the Chicago Sockers helped establish her as one of the top defensive prospects in the country. She also began representing the United States youth national teams at the age of 15, joining the under-17 women’s national team in 2009. This combination of club pedigree and international experience positioned her as a highly recruited college prospect.
Path to Soccer
Lind arrived at the University of Notre Dame in 2012 and quickly made her mark on the Fighting Irish program. As a freshman, she was named Notre Dame Team Most Valuable Freshman, while also earning All-BIG EAST Third Team, BIG EAST All-Rookie Team, and NSCAA All-Northeast Region Second Team honors. Her composure in central defense and her ability to read the game set her apart from the start.
In 2013, she was named team captain, becoming the first three-year captain in Notre Dame women’s soccer history. During her college career, she also pursued double majors in anthropology and Spanish, was named to the Dean’s List in the fall of 2012, and completed certificates of merit through Notre Dame’s Rosenthal Leadership Academy between 2012 and 2014. She balanced leadership roles both on and off the field, serving as one of two team representatives to Notre Dame’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
Katie Lind Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Across four seasons at Notre Dame, Lind evolved into a commanding center back and a steadying presence for the Fighting Irish. She earned All-ACC Second Team honors, First Team NSCAA Scholar All-North/Central Region recognition, and a Third Team NSCAA Scholar All-American nod. She was also awarded the Notre Dame OSCARS Francis Patrick O’Connor Award for her leadership and character.
Her growth at the college level caught the eye of National Women’s Soccer League scouts. By the time she finished her senior season, Lind had built the resume of a defender ready for the professional ranks.
Chicago Red Stars Breakthrough (2016–2019)
The Chicago Red Stars selected Lind as the nineteenth pick in the second round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft. In October of her rookie year, she was loaned to Australian club Adelaide United alongside teammates Danielle Colaprico and Sofia Huerta. The following year, she re-signed with Adelaide for another W-League campaign, continuing her development abroad.
Back in the NWSL, Lind scored her first professional goal on June 24, 2018, in a 2–0 victory over the Utah Royals FC. That same year, she signed with Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League season, joining fellow Red Stars players Sam Kerr, Alyssa Mautz, and Nikki Stanton in Australia. She spent four seasons total with Chicago before being traded.
Houston Dash Era (2020–2025)
On January 6, 2020, the Chicago Red Stars announced a trade sending Lind and the eighteenth overall selection in the 2020 NWSL College Draft to the Houston Dash in exchange for forward Kealia Ohai. Lind debuted for the Dash on June 30, 2020, helping Houston launch its 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup-winning campaign. The victory marked one of the defining moments of her professional career.
In June 2021, Lind scored her first goal for the Dash, netting the game-winner in a victory over the Kansas City Current. Across her time in Houston, she made 79 NWSL regular-season appearances before retiring from professional soccer at the end of 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Lind built her reputation as a smart, physical center back with strong aerial ability and excellent reading of the game. Standing 5 ft 10 in, she combined size with composure on the ball and a willingness to step into midfield when needed. Her leadership traits, first shown as Notre Dame’s three-year captain, translated directly into her role as a senior voice in the locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup title with the Houston Dash stands as the signature team achievement of Lind’s career. Her first NWSL goal in 2018 and her first Dash goal in 2021 are also career milestones that reflect her growth as a contributor on both ends of the field. Becoming Notre Dame’s first three-year captain added another lasting accomplishment to her résumé.
Katie Lind Career Wins
Katie Lind’s career featured one major team trophy at the professional level, the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup with the Houston Dash. She also earned a 2016 Istria Cup title with the United States under-23 women’s national team during her time as a youth international.
International Highlights
Lind played for the United States U-17, U-18, U-20, and U-23 national teams between 2009 and 2017. Her biggest stage at the youth level came at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she appeared in four matches. She capped her youth international career by helping the U.S. U-23 squad win the 2016 Istria Cup in Croatia.
Other Performances
In Australia’s W-League, Lind gained valuable experience with Adelaide United and Perth Glory, playing alongside some of the most prominent names in women’s soccer. These loan stints allowed her to extend her season and refine her game against international competition.
Katie Lind Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Katie Lind was raised in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, by her parents, Tom Naughton and Claire Naughton. She is their only child and grew up in a supportive household that encouraged her development in the sport. Her father’s surname Naughton became her maiden name until her marriage.
Personal Life
Lind married Kevin Lind in Chicago on December 31, 2022, taking her husband’s surname. The couple’s life together has been based in the Chicago and Houston areas in alignment with her club career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign marked Katie Lind’s final season as a professional soccer player. Coming off years of veteran leadership with the Houston Dash, she continued to provide depth and experience on the back line. Her familiarity with the club’s system and her reading of the game remained valuable assets for the team.
Over the course of the season, Lind added to her 79 NWSL regular-season appearances in a Houston shirt. While she was no longer a starter every week, her role as a mentor to younger center backs was an important part of the Dash’s locker room culture.
Lind retired from professional soccer at the end of 2025, closing out a career that included a Challenge Cup title, multiple W-League seasons in Australia, and a long run with the U.S. youth national teams. Her legacy includes being the first three-year captain in Notre Dame women’s soccer history and a respected figure in NWSL circles.
