Madison Pogarch Bio
Madison Pogarch is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left back. She began her senior career in amateur and semi-professional summer leagues before moving into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2019 with the Portland Thorns. After successful collegiate seasons at Central Michigan University and Rutgers University, Pogarch has established herself as a dependable defender in top-flight women’s soccer.
Across her NWSL tenure, Pogarch has represented the Portland Thorns, the San Diego Wave, and the Utah Royals, contributing as a left back known for her stamina and defensive awareness. She also represented the United States at the U-23 level and has since taken her career abroad.
Early Life and Background
Madison Pogarch was born on November 5, 1997, in Hartland, Michigan, in the United States. She grew up in the same state where she would later begin her competitive soccer journey, training with the Michigan Jaguars during her youth career. Her early years in Michigan provided the foundation for a career that would eventually reach both the collegiate and professional ranks.
Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, Pogarch developed her game in a region known for producing competitive youth talent. Her time with the Michigan Jaguars helped shape her as a left back, a position that requires both defensive responsibility and the ability to support attacks down the flank. Those formative years prepared her for the next step in her development: collegiate soccer.
Path to Soccer
Pogarch committed to Central Michigan University, where she played three seasons of collegiate soccer for the Central Michigan Chippewas from 2015 to 2017. During her time there, she became a two-time All-MAC performer and earned First Team All-MAC honors in 2017, establishing herself as one of the conference’s top defenders.
After three years at Central Michigan, Pogarch transferred to Rutgers University, where she completed her senior season in 2018. She started all 19 matches for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on October 9, 2018, after logging every minute in two Big Ten overtime shutout wins. Her performances at both programs drew the attention of professional scouts.
Madison Pogarch Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
While still in college, Pogarch played as an amateur with senior semi-professional teams during the summer months. In 2017, she helped Grand Rapids FC win a United Women’s Soccer championship, scoring the only goal of the game in an early-season victory at Fort Wayne. The following summer, she joined the Detroit Sun for the 2018 season.
These summer stints allowed Pogarch to compete against veteran players while still developing her craft at the collegiate level. The championship experience with Grand Rapids FC and her subsequent year with Detroit Sun helped bridge the gap between college soccer and the professional ranks.
Portland Thorns FC (2019–2022)
Pogarch signed with the Portland Thorns in early May 2019, beginning her NWSL career. She made her first appearance for the team on May 25, 2019, in a match against Sky Blue FC, and earned her first start a few weeks later on June 15 against the North Carolina Courage. Her debut season signaled the arrival of a reliable defender in one of the league’s most successful organizations.
During her time in Portland, Pogarch became a consistent presence at left back and was part of a Thorns squad that reached the upper echelon of the NWSL. She developed into a dependable starter and contributed to a team culture focused on contending for championships. Her tenure with the club ended in mid-2022 when she was traded.
San Diego Wave FC (2022–2023)
On July 25, 2022, the Portland Thorns announced that the club had traded Pogarch to the San Diego Wave FC in exchange for defender Tegan McGrady. The move gave Pogarch a fresh start with an expansion side that was eager to build its defensive core.
With San Diego, Pogarch continued her work as a left back, helping the Wave navigate their second NWSL campaign. Her experience in Portland translated well to the West Coast, and she remained a regular contributor before her contract situation opened the door for another move.
Utah Royals (2024–2025)
On December 7, 2023, the Utah Royals announced that the club had signed Pogarch as a free agent through the 2025 season. The deal gave the re-launched Royals a veteran defender with NWSL experience across multiple contending rosters.
Pogarch’s time in Utah allowed her to take on a leadership role within a rebuilding franchise. She provided stability along the back line and helped set the standard for a younger squad aiming to climb the NWSL standings.
Hammarby (2026–Present)
On January 6, 2026, Swedish Damallsvenskan club Hammarby announced that they had signed Pogarch to a two-year contract. The move marked her first professional stint outside of the NWSL and reflected her continued growth as a defender.
Wearing the number 5 jersey, Pogarch transitioned to one of Europe’s strongest women’s leagues. Her arrival added international experience to Hammarby’s back line and gave her a new platform to showcase her skills.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Pogarch’s career milestones are her 2017 United Women’s Soccer championship with Grand Rapids FC, her 2018 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor at Rutgers, and her selection to the United States U-23 team for the 2019 Nordic Tournament in August 2019. She has also been part of trophy-contending NWSL rosters with the Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave.
Madison Pogarch Career Wins
Pogarch has collected team honors during her NWSL career, contributing to successful Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave rosters. While individual win totals across her various leagues are not fully detailed in available records, her résumé includes a United Women’s Soccer championship in 2017 and continued appearances in playoff-caliber lineups.
Club Highlights
Her first major team trophy came with Grand Rapids FC in 2017, when she scored the lone goal in a championship-clinching victory. Later, Pogarch became a regular starter for the Portland Thorns, one of the NWSL’s flagship clubs, before helping the San Diego Wave establish themselves in the league. Each stop added to a résumé defined by reliability and defensive consistency.
International Highlights
In August 2019, Pogarch was named to the United States U-23 team for the 2019 Nordic Tournament. The selection marked her highest representative honor to date and reflected her strong form during her rookie NWSL season.
Madison Pogarch Family
Personal Life
Madison Pogarch married fellow NWSL player Christen Westphal on December 10, 2025. The couple, both established professionals in women’s soccer, were teammates during overlapping stretches of their careers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign marked Pogarch’s final season under contract with the Utah Royals after signing through that year in December 2023. Operating primarily as a left back, she continued to provide veteran presence and defensive organization for a Royals side focused on long-term development.
Her performances during the 2025 season reinforced her reputation as a dependable starter capable of logging heavy minutes. With her Utah deal winding down, the year served as a bridge toward her next professional chapter in Sweden.
Looking ahead, Pogarch’s move to Hammarby in early 2026 came on the heels of her 2025 work in Utah, and her recent form suggested a player ready to compete at the international level. Her transition to the Damallsvenskan set the stage for a new chapter in a steadily rising career.