Macey Hodge Bio
Macey Kamryn Hodge, born on May 4, 2001, in Douglasville, Georgia, is an American professional soccer player who competes as a midfielder in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). A former standout at Mississippi State, where she earned first-team All-American and SEC Midfielder of the Year honors in 2024, Hodge began her professional career with Angel City FC in 2025 and was traded to Racing Louisville FC in January 2026. Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, she is widely regarded as one of the more composed and versatile young midfielders in the American women’s game.
Early Life and Background
Hodge was raised in Douglasville, Georgia, by her mother, Kandi Vaughn, and her stepfather, Michael, alongside two sisters. She first took up organized soccer at the age of eight, playing for the Southern Soccer Academy, a club program that helped shape her early development as a midfielder. Growing up in a supportive household, Hodge balanced school and competitive club soccer throughout her childhood, gradually building the technical foundation that would later define her playing style.
She attended Robert S. Alexander High School, where she was named the most valuable player on the soccer team during her freshman, sophomore, and senior seasons. Rated as a two-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer, Hodge originally committed to Vanderbilt after her sophomore year. Shortly before graduating in 2019, however, she made the difficult decision to step away from soccer to focus on her mental health, citing anxiety tied to family pressures, her birth father’s struggle with addiction, her sister’s kidney disease diagnosis, and the emotional process of coming out to her family. She enrolled at the University of West Georgia and worked as a cashier at Kroger before ultimately feeling ready to return to the sport she loved.
Path to Soccer
Within a semester of leaving the game, Hodge decided she was ready to resume her soccer career and transferred to Mississippi State at the start of 2020. Her former club coach had connections with several Mississippi State assistant coaches, which helped open the door for the move. The change of scenery allowed her to rebuild her confidence and re-establish herself as a competitive player, and she quickly earned a role in the Bulldogs’ rotation.
Hodge came off the bench in the 2020 season opener for Mississippi State and then started every remaining game that year, lining up at attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, and center back. By her second season she had been voted one of the team’s captains, a sign of the leadership qualities that would later define her senior years. Her versatility and tactical understanding became hallmarks of her development in Starkville.
Macey Hodge Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Hodge’s first two full seasons at Mississippi State were marked by steady growth and growing responsibility. In 2022, she started every game and helped the Bulldogs secure their first-ever NCAA tournament match victory, a milestone moment for the program. Her ability to control the tempo of matches and contribute on both sides of the ball drew attention from professional scouts and established her as a centerpiece of the team’s midfield.
That same year, Hodge’s consistent performances also earned her recognition within the Southeastern Conference, as she continued to log heavy minutes and develop her distribution skills. By the end of her third collegiate season, she had already become one of the most experienced players in the Bulldogs’ roster.
Mississippi State Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Hodge’s 2023 season represented her first major individual breakthrough at the collegiate level. She earned first-team All-SEC honors while leading Mississippi State to its first SEC tournament semifinal appearance and a trip to the third round of the NCAA tournament, where the Bulldogs fell to eventual finalists Stanford. Her composure in big moments and her ability to dictate play in midfield helped elevate the program to new heights.
The 2024 campaign was even more impressive. Hodge was central to Mississippi State’s historic run, as the Bulldogs went 10–0 in conference play, allowing only two goals in ten matches, to claim the program’s first SEC regular-season title. Mississippi State received a top seed in the NCAA tournament and matched its best-ever showing before falling in the third round against Notre Dame, conceding at home for the first time all season. For her performance, Hodge was named first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC, and the SEC Midfielder of the Year. She finished her five years in Starkville with 97 appearances, including 96 starts, the most in program history.
Angel City FC Era (2025)
On December 23, 2024, Angel City FC announced the signing of Hodge to her first professional contract, a two-year deal with a club option to extend for an additional year. She made her professional debut in the 2025 season opener, starting and playing 75 minutes in a 1–1 draw against the San Diego Wave on March 16, 2025. On April 12, she scored her first professional goal to open the scoring in a 3–1 victory over the Houston Dash, marking a memorable early milestone in her rookie campaign.
Hodge played in 16 games as a rookie, starting 9, and scored 1 goal before being suspended for one match after picking up her fifth yellow card of the season on September 1. Angel City finished 11th overall and missed the playoffs, but Hodge’s debut year provided a foundation of experience at the professional level. On January 14, 2026, she was traded to Racing Louisville FC in exchange for US$55,000 in intraleague transfer funds, US$28,000 in allocation money, and an international roster spot for the next two seasons. The following month, Racing Louisville re-signed Hodge to a new deal running through 2027, with a mutual contract option for 2028.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hodge is recognized for her tactical intelligence, positional versatility, and calm distribution from central midfield. She has demonstrated the ability to play effectively as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, or center back, a flexibility that has been central to her value at every level. Her strong passing range and leadership qualities make her a natural connector in midfield, capable of transitioning play quickly and reading the game at a high level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hodge’s signature achievements are her 2024 first-team All-American selection, her SEC Midfielder of the Year honor, and her role in leading Mississippi State to its first SEC regular-season title. She also set the program record for career appearances with 97, a mark that underscores her durability and consistency. Her first professional goal for Angel City FC, scored on April 12, 2025, stands as another early career highlight.
Macey Hodge Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hodge was raised in Douglasville, Georgia, by her mother, Kandi Vaughn, and her stepfather, Michael, alongside two sisters. The family provided crucial support during her time away from soccer in 2019 and throughout her eventual return to the sport. Her sister later recovered from a kidney disease diagnosis, an experience that shaped Hodge’s perspective during her formative years.
Personal Life
Hodge has spoken openly about her mental health journey and the importance of stepping away from soccer in 2019 to address the anxiety she was experiencing. Her decision to return to the game at Mississippi State marked a turning point in both her personal life and her career, and she has since been recognized for her leadership and resilience on and off the field.
2025 Season Performance
Hodge’s rookie season in the NWSL with Angel City FC provided an important first chapter in her professional career. She debuted in the season opener against the San Diego Wave on March 16, 2025, and went on to make 16 appearances, including 9 starts, while scoring her first professional goal against the Houston Dash on April 12. Her ability to step directly into a starting role as a rookie reflected the preparation she had built during her record-setting collegiate career at Mississippi State.
Despite her individual progress, Hodge and Angel City FC finished the 2025 season in 11th place and missed the playoffs, limiting her postseason exposure in her debut year. The trade to Racing Louisville FC in January 2026, followed by a new contract through 2027, signals strong confidence in her long-term trajectory. As she enters her second professional season, Hodge is expected to play a central role in Racing Louisville’s midfield and continue her development as one of the league’s emerging young talents.