Mackenzie Wood Bio
Mackenzie Kay Wood (born July 4, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Northwestern Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Wood has quickly made a name for herself in the professional soccer arena, showcasing her skills and determination on the field since her debut in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Mackenzie Wood was born in Granger, Indiana, a town located near South Bend. She is the daughter of Matt and Kiley Wood. Growing up, Wood was heavily involved in soccer, captaining both her club team, Indiana Fire, and her high school team at Penn High School. In her sophomore year, she helped her high school team reach the state finals, although they finished as runners-up. By her senior year in 2017, she had an impressive record of 20 clean sheets, leading her team to become undefeated state champions. Her exceptional performance earned her recognition as an All-American by TopDrawerSoccer. During her high school years, Wood also participated in national training camps with the United States under-16 and under-18 teams in 2016 and 2017.
Path to Soccer
Wood began her collegiate soccer career at Northwestern University, where she was the starting goalkeeper from her freshman year. In the 2018 season, she led the Big Ten Conference with a goals against average of 0.650 and recorded eight shutouts in nineteen games. Her outstanding performance earned her a spot on the Big Ten all-freshman team and recognition as Northwestern’s most valuable player. Over her four years at Northwestern, Wood started all 67 games, consistently demonstrating her skills and resilience. After the COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2020 season, she still managed to post over 70 saves in three seasons. She graduated with degrees in statistics and communication studies. Following her time at Northwestern, Wood transferred to the University of Notre Dame for her fifth season of eligibility due to the pandemic. In the 2022 regular season, she allowed only five goals in twelve games, achieving nine clean sheets and helping the Fighting Irish secure a third-place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Her performance led her to receive third-team All-ACC honors, and she earned her master’s degree in sports analytics while also studying for another master’s in data science.
Mackenzie Wood Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Wood’s early career was marked by her time at Northwestern University, where she made a significant impact as a starting goalkeeper. She was recognized for her exceptional skills and leadership on the field, earning accolades and setting records during her collegiate career. After transferring to Notre Dame, she continued to excel, leading her team to impressive performances in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
Breakthrough (2023–Present)
In 2023, Mackenzie Wood signed with the Chicago Stars FC, marking her entry into professional soccer. She initially joined the team as a non-roster trialist and signed an injury replacement contract on March 25. Wood made her professional debut in a friendly match against the Mexico national team on April 8. On August 30, she secured a three-year contract with a one-year option and was loaned to Stade de Reims in France for a year. During her loan, she made two starts in the Coupe de France féminine. Wood returned to the Chicago Stars for the 2024 preseason and made her first NWSL appearance on May 13, 2024, substituting for Alyssa Naeher due to injury. She continued to build her experience in the league, making her first regular-season starts shortly after. In June 2025, Wood faced an injury that placed her on the Stars’ 45-day injury list, but she re-signed with the team through 2027 while recuperating.
Notable Works and Milestones
Mackenzie Wood’s signature work includes her impressive collegiate career, where she was recognized as an All-American and a top performer in the Big Ten and ACC. Her transition to professional soccer with the Chicago Stars has been marked by significant milestones, including her debut and subsequent performances in the NWSL.
Mackenzie Wood Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Mackenzie Wood has received various nominations and accolades, particularly during her collegiate years, where she was recognized for her outstanding performances and contributions to her teams.
Mackenzie Wood Awards Won
While Mackenzie Wood has not yet received professional awards, her collegiate achievements include being named to the Big Ten all-freshman team and receiving third-team All-ACC honors during her time at Notre Dame.
Mackenzie Wood Family
Mackenzie Wood is the daughter of Matt and Kiley Wood. Details about her family life beyond her parents are not publicly available.
Personal Life
As of now, there is limited information available about Mackenzie Wood’s personal life, including her marital status or any potential partners. She remains focused on her soccer career and her studies in sports analytics and data science.