Kelli Hubly Bio
Kelli Elizabeth Hubly (born August 9, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). During her first eight professional seasons with Portland Thorns FC, she won the 2017 and 2022 NWSL Championships, the 2021 NWSL Shield, and several other titles. She wears the number 11 jersey for Bay FC and is recognized for her consistency and durability in the back line.
Early Life and Background
Kelli Elizabeth Hubly was born on August 9, 1994, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and grew up in the Chicago suburbs. She attended Elk Grove High School, where she developed her love for the game and began attracting attention from college coaches. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, she eventually grew into a defender whose physical presence became one of her defining traits on the field.
As a young player, Hubly suited up for the Chicago-area club Sockers FC, one of the most respected youth programs in the country. With Sockers FC, she won the 2010 and 2011 Illinois Cup Championships, and in 2011, her team captured the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championship. Those formative experiences helped shape her competitive edge and prepared her for the next step in the college ranks.
Path to Professional Soccer
Hubly played her first three seasons of college soccer (2012 to 2014) at the University of Kentucky, competing for the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In 2012, she was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and earned the conference’s Freshman of the Week award on October 15, 2012. The following year, she was recognized by Top Drawer Soccer as part of its National Team of the Week on October 8, 2013, and in 2014, she helped the Wildcats reach the SEC Championship game.
After sitting out the 2015 season under NCAA transfer rules, Hubly transferred to DePaul University and joined the DePaul Blue Demons for the 2016 season. She led the Big East Conference in assists and assists per game that year and completed her degree in 2017. Her strong play in college eventually caught the attention of National Women’s Soccer League scouts.
Kelli Hubly Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Hubly went into the 2017 NWSL College Draft eligible to be selected but was not picked. She signed with the Portland Thorns as a temporary national team replacement player in 2017 and made her professional debut on July 15, 2017, entering late in a 1–0 win over the North Carolina Courage. That fall, she was part of the Thorns squad that lifted the 2017 NWSL Championship trophy.
She earned her first professional start on March 24, 2018, against the Courage, stepping in for an injured Emily Menges. After playing every minute of the first four matches of the 2018 NWSL season, Hubly signed a long-term contract with Portland on April 27, 2018. The early stretch of her career showed the kind of reliability that would come to define her playing style.
Portland Thorns Breakthrough (2017–2024)
Over the next several seasons, Hubly became a key member and frequent starter for the Thorns. She played her part in Portland’s run to the 2020 NWSL Fall Series Community Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup, and the 2021 NWSL Shield. The 2021 campaign was a high-water mark for the club, and Hubly was a regular presence in the back line throughout the run.
The 2022 NWSL season was the defining year of her Portland tenure. Hubly played every minute of every match for the Thorns, helping the team win the 2022 NWSL Championship and earning a place on the 2022 NWSL Best XI Second Team. After two more seasons with the club, she became a free agent on December 30, 2024, ending an eight-year run in Portland that included two league titles and a Supporters’ Shield.
Bay FC Era (2025–Present)
Hubly signed a two-year contract with Bay FC on January 31, 2025, joining the expansion club as an experienced defender. Her move marked a new chapter after eight seasons in Portland and gave Bay FC a reliable, championship-tested center back. Her contract with Bay FC runs through the 2026 season.
On August 23, 2025, she scored both an own goal and a header in a 3–2 loss to the Washington Spirit at Oracle Park, a match that set an NWSL single-game attendance record. The performance showed her willingness to push forward from the back line, even as Bay FC continued to build its identity in the league.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Hubly is known for her composure in possession, her ability to read the game, and her durability, having logged every minute of a full NWSL season in 2022. She combines strong aerial ability with clean distribution out of the back, making her a reliable option for building attacks from the defensive third. Her consistency has made her a trusted presence in high-pressure matches and deep playoff runs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her most memorable moments are the 2017 NWSL Championship debut season, the iron-man 2022 campaign, and her record-setting Bay FC appearance at Oracle Park in 2025. She has represented the United States at the U-15, U-17, and U-18 levels, including as a member of the 2010 U-17 national team pool. Her two league titles and one NWSL Shield reflect a résumé built on team success.
Kelli Hubly Career Honors
Across her club career, Kelli Elizabeth Hubly has been part of championship-winning teams in the NWSL and in multiple international and regional competitions. Her honors include titles with Portland Thorns FC and individual recognition from the league.
NWSL and Portland Thorns Highlights
Hubly was a member of the Portland Thorns teams that won the 2017 NWSL Championship, the 2020 NWSL Fall Series Community Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup, and the 2021 NWSL Shield. She added a second NWSL Championship in 2022, when she played every minute of the season. Individually, she was named to the 2022 NWSL Best XI Second Team.
Youth and International Recognition
At the youth level, Hubly helped Sockers FC win the Illinois Cup in 2010 and 2011 and the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championship in 2011. She also represented the United States at the U-15, U-17, and U-18 national team levels, including selection to the U-17 squad in 2010.
Kelli Hubly Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Kelli Elizabeth Hubly was raised in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, a community with a strong youth soccer tradition. Her development through the Sockers FC program in Chicago played a central role in her path to the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Hubly is an American citizen who has spent her professional career based in the United States. She keeps an active presence on social media, where she shares updates from her club and personal life. Details about her immediate family, marital status, and children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Hubly’s 2025 campaign is her first with Bay FC after joining the club on a two-year deal in January. As one of the most experienced defenders on the roster, she is expected to anchor the back line and help guide a young squad through its expansion-year growing pains. Her leadership and positional know-how are central to the club’s long-term project.
The highlight of her early Bay FC tenure came on August 23, 2025, when she scored a header goal in a 3–2 loss to the Washington Spirit at Oracle Park, a match that drew an NWSL record crowd. The performance offered a glimpse of her offensive contribution from set pieces and her comfort in the spotlight. With a contract that runs through 2026, Hubly has time to help shape Bay FC’s identity in the league.