M.A. Vignola Bio
Mary Alice Vignola, known professionally as M.A. Vignola, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team. Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, she wears the number 25 jersey for Portland and has become known for her versatility, athleticism, and composure along the back line. After developing her game in college with the Tennessee Volunteers and gaining early professional experience in Iceland, she returned to the United States and quickly established herself as one of the league’s most reliable defenders.
Early Life and Background
Mary Alice Vignola was born on February 11, 1998, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States. She was adopted at birth and raised by white adoptive parents, growing up in a biracial household as an African American child. She has an older brother who is also adopted, and the family provided a supportive environment that encouraged her early interest in sports.
Vignola began playing soccer recreationally when she was five years old, and her love for the game quickly developed into a serious pursuit. She played youth soccer for Ohio Elite, where she competed in the Elite Clubs National League as a forward. She also attended St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, starring on the high school soccer team from 2013 to 2016 and recording 35 goals along with 26 assists across her high school career.
Path to Soccer
As a teenager, Vignola earned her first United States youth national team camp call-up at the age of 14, signaling her potential at the national level. She represented the United States women’s national under-17 team in a match against Germany, gaining valuable experience against international competition at a young age.
Following high school, Vignola joined the Tennessee Volunteers women’s soccer program, where she played NCAA Division I college soccer from 2016 to 2019. During her sophomore season, she made the pivotal switch from forward to outside back, a transition that ultimately shaped her professional career as a defender. In 2019, the Southeastern Conference recognized her development by naming her to the All-SEC first team, validating her decision to embrace the new position.
M.A. Vignola Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Rather than entering the 2019 NWSL College Draft, Vignola chose to pursue playing opportunities overseas and signed with Icelandic club Knattspyrnufélagið Þróttur in 2020. Competing in the Úrvalsdeild kvenna, she made an immediate impact, scoring six goals in 12 appearances. She netted her first professional goal on June 23, 2020, a long-range equalizer during second-half stoppage time in a 2–2 draw against Fylkir.
In 2021, Vignola transferred to Icelandic competitors Valur, where she scored two goals in 18 appearances despite tearing her right acetabular labrum in her first match and continuing to play through the injury. Her perseverance paid off when Valur won the Úrvalsdeild kvenna league title, and she subsequently represented the club in the 2021–22 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Angel City FC Era (2022–2025)
NWSL expansion club Angel City FC recruited Vignola and signed her on December 5, 2021, making her the team’s second-ever player signing behind Christen Press. The club acquired her rights through a trade with the Washington Spirit involving $30,000 in NWSL allocation money and protection in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft. Angel City provided rehabilitation services for her hip injury, and she eventually debuted late in her rookie season on September 5, 2022, entering as an 80th-minute substitute in the 2022 Copa Angelina against the Mexico women’s national team.
Vignola made her first NWSL regular-season start for Angel City on April 15, 2023, against Racing Louisville FC. On June 10, 2023, she scored her first goal for the club in a 1–2 loss to Washington Spirit, and a week later she netted the match-winning goal against rivals San Diego Wave FC. Her strong 2023 campaign, which included 3 goals and 1 assist, helped Angel City reach the playoffs for the first time and earned her a selection to the NWSL 2023 Best XI Second team. She dealt with injuries during the 2024 season but still contributed 1 goal and 2 assists, including a match winner against the Chicago Red Stars on September 1, 2024, and on December 16, 2024, Angel City signed her to a new two-year contract keeping her with the club through 2026.
Portland Thorns Era (2025–Present)
On September 30, 2025, Vignola was traded to the Portland Thorns in a transaction that also involved Angel City acquiring Hina Sugita. The move marked a new chapter for the defender, joining one of the NWSL’s most established franchises. She is under contract with Portland through 2027, signaling the club’s long-term commitment to her presence in the back line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although a defender, Vignola’s attacking instincts remain a defining feature of her game, a remnant of her youth days as a forward. Her comfort on the ball, ability to join the attack from the outside back position, and knack for scoring crucial goals have made her a dual threat. She combines physical resilience with tactical discipline, having rebuilt her game after significant hip injury setbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Vignola’s career has featured several signature moments, including her first professional goal in Iceland, winning the Úrvalsdeild kvenna with Valur, representing an Icelandic club in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and earning a spot in the NWSL 2023 Best XI Second team. Her senior international debut for the United States on September 21, 2023, against South Africa in her hometown of Cincinnati added another memorable chapter to her résumé.
M.A. Vignola Career Wins
Throughout her professional career, Mary Alice Vignola has accumulated meaningful silverware and individual recognition across multiple leagues and competitions. Her journey has spanned the Úrvalsdeild kvenna in Iceland, the NWSL in the United States, and senior international competition with the U.S. national team.
Úrvalsdeild kvenna Highlights
Vignola won the Úrvalsdeild kvenna league title with Valur in 2021, capping a season in which she scored two goals in 18 appearances despite playing through a torn right acetabular labrum. The title earned Valur a place in the 2021–22 UEFA Women’s Champions League, where Vignola represented the club on the European stage. Earlier, during her time with Þróttur in 2020, she scored six goals in 12 appearances, though no team silverware from that spell is recorded.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to her Icelandic league title, Vignola was individually honored with a selection to the NWSL 2023 Best XI Second team following a campaign in which she contributed 3 goals and 1 assist for Angel City FC. Her consistent performances in the NWSL, including match-winning goals against the San Diego Wave FC and Chicago Red Stars, have further cemented her reputation as a difference-maker at the club level.
M.A. Vignola Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mary Alice Vignola was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was adopted at birth into a supportive household. She is a biracial African American, and her adoptive parents are white. She has an older brother who is also adopted, and the close-knit family nurtured her early passion for soccer from the time she was five years old.
Vignola has generally kept her personal life private, with limited public details available regarding a spouse or children. Her Cincinnati roots remain a central part of her identity, and she made her senior international debut in her hometown in September 2023, a moment of personal significance in her career journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought significant change for Mary Alice Vignola, as she transitioned from Angel City FC to the Portland Thorns via trade on September 30, 2025. Her time with Angel City earlier in the year was hampered by ongoing injury concerns, limiting her availability for stretches of the schedule. Despite those challenges, she remained a trusted figure in the squad and continued to provide leadership along the back line when called upon.
Her move to Portland Thorns FC offered a fresh start and the opportunity to compete for one of the NWSL’s most decorated clubs. With a contract running through 2027, Vignola is positioned as a long-term piece of the Thorns’ defensive plans. The club’s investment in her reflects confidence in her ability to contribute immediately while continuing to grow within a new tactical environment.
Looking ahead, Vignola’s blend of attacking instincts, defensive discipline, and big-game experience should make her a valuable contributor for Portland as they pursue playoff success and a championship run. Her international pedigree with the United States national team also adds another layer of quality to the Thorns’ roster, and her ongoing recovery and reintegration into a new system will be a key storyline to watch in the seasons ahead.