Malia Berkely Bio
Malia Nicole Berkely (born February 13, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). A highly decorated collegiate athlete, she played for the Florida State Seminoles from 2016 to 2020, winning the 2018 NCAA Division I national championship and earning back-to-back first-team All-American honors in 2019 and 2020.
After beginning her professional career with FC Girondins de Bordeaux in January 2021, Berkely moved to the North Carolina Courage in 2022, where she developed into one of the league’s most reliable central defenders. In September 2025, she was acquired by the Houston Dash, where she currently wears the number 10 jersey and continues to be recognized for her passing range and composure in possession.
Early Life and Background
Malia Nicole Berkely was raised in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Todd and Nicole Berkely. Her introduction to the sport came at age four through a local YMCA program, and the foundations she built there would shape her career path for the next two decades. Her father, Todd, coached her high school team at Father Stephen T. Badin High School, providing a steady influence in her early development.
At Badin, Berkely established herself as a prolific scorer, recording 66 goals across four seasons and leading the program to Ohio Division III state titles in 2013 and 2014. She also played club soccer for the Fairfield Optimist organization, where she continued to refine her defensive instincts and ball-playing skills. Her performances earned her the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year award in both 2015 and 2016.
Berkely committed to Florida State as a sophomore in 2014, a decision that reflected her rapid rise as one of the top young defenders in the country. Her family remained a steady presence throughout her journey, with both parents supporting her transition from youth soccer to the college ranks.
Path to Professional Soccer
Berkely’s path to the professional game ran directly through the Florida State Seminoles, where she played from 2016 through 2020. Her college career quickly became one of the most decorated in program history, highlighted by the 2018 NCAA national championship and individual recognition as both ACC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American in 2019 and 2020.
On the international stage, Berkely progressed through the United States youth national team setup at the under-14, under-15, under-17, under-18, and under-19 levels. During her college years, she also represented the United States at the under-23 level in a 2019 friendly tournament, gaining valuable experience against senior-level competition.
Her stock rose steadily heading into her senior season, and she made the leap to the professional ranks in January 2021, joining FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France on an 18-month contract. That move marked her transition from one of the top collegiate defenders in the United States to a fully professional soccer player competing on two continents.
Malia Berkely Career
Early Career at Bordeaux (2021–2022)
Berkely joined FC Girondins de Bordeaux in January 2021, signing an 18-month contract that gave her first professional experience abroad. She adapted quickly to the demands of European football, appearing in 10 matches for the club and scoring once during her short time in France.
Her spell at Bordeaux ended when the club transferred her with six months remaining on her deal. Although brief, the experience helped her refine her tactical awareness and prepared her for the next stage of her career back in the United States.
North Carolina Courage Era (2022–2025)
In December 2021, the North Carolina Courage acquired Berkely and signed her to a three-year contract. She made an immediate impact in 2022, starting the opening match of the NWSL Challenge Cup on March 19 and assisting on an Abby Erceg goal in a 2–0 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC. She scored her first goal for the Courage in a 2–2 draw with the Washington Spirit in the Challenge Cup on April 23, 2022, before starting in the Challenge Cup final, which the Courage won over the Washington Spirit.
After Abby Erceg’s departure in 2023, Berkely stepped into a starting center back role alongside Kaleigh Kurtz and quickly became a foundational piece of the Courage defense. On July 21, 2023, the club extended her contract for three additional years, keeping her in North Carolina through 2026. She helped the team capture a second Challenge Cup that season, defeating Racing Louisville in the final, and led the NWSL in passing accuracy at 89.8 percent during the 2023 regular season.
Her play continued to ascend in 2024, when she became the first NWSL player to record three assists in a single half during a 4–1 victory over the San Diego Wave on September 8. The performance underscored her evolution from a defensive specialist into a two-way contributor capable of launching attacks from the back line.
Houston Dash Era (2025–Present)
On September 12, 2025, the Houston Dash acquired Berkely from the North Carolina Courage, along with $75,000 in intra-league transfer funds, in exchange for Natalie Jacobs. The move signaled a new chapter for the defender as she joined a Dash side looking to bolster its back line.
Berkely made her Dash debut on September 19, 2025, starting in a 1–0 victory over Chicago Stars FC. She quickly settled into the starting group and is expected to play a central role for Houston through the end of her contract in 2028.
Driving Style and Strengths
Primarily a center back, Berkely was deployed in a variety of positions during her youth, including central midfielder, attacking midfielder, striker, and center back in high school, as well as central midfielder and outside back with the youth national team. In college and at the professional level, she has settled fully into the center back role. Known for her passing accuracy and comfort in possession, she frequently dribbles forward from the back line to help develop attacking play, blending defensive solidity with creative distribution.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Berkely’s career are her 2018 NCAA national championship at Florida State, her role in two NWSL Challenge Cup titles with the North Carolina Courage, and her record-setting three-assist half against the San Diego Wave in 2024. Her 2023 league-leading passing accuracy further cemented her reputation as one of the most technically refined defenders in the NWSL.
Malia Berkely Career Wins
Berkely has accumulated significant team silverware across her career, beginning with the 2018 NCAA Division I national championship at Florida State and continuing with two NWSL Challenge Cup titles won with the North Carolina Courage in 2022 and 2023. Her individual awards include back-to-back ACC Defensive Player of the Year selections and first-team All-American honors in 2019 and 2020, along with Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016.
NWSL Highlights
Across her NWSL tenure with the North Carolina Courage and Houston Dash, Berkely helped her teams lift the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2022 and 2023. Her standout individual performance came on September 8, 2024, when she became the first NWSL player to record three assists in a single half in a 4–1 win over the San Diego Wave, demonstrating her growing influence on the attacking side of the game.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her NWSL honors, Berkely won two Ohio Division III state titles at Father Stephen T. Badin High School in 2013 and 2014, helping establish the foundation for her later success. Her professional debut season at Bordeaux added valuable experience to her resume, even though the French club did not capture a major trophy during her short spell.
Malia Berkely Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Berkely was raised in Liberty Township, Ohio, by her parents Todd and Nicole Berkely. Her father Todd coached her high school team at Father Stephen T. Badin High School, providing direct mentorship during her formative years and helping shape her understanding of the game.
Personal Life
Berkely married RJ Gerhardt on December 17, 2023. Earlier that same year, she earned a martial arts black belt, reflecting the discipline and focus that have also defined her soccer career. She continues to reside in the United States while playing for the Houston Dash.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of transition for Berkely. She began the year with the North Carolina Courage, where her established role as a starting center back and her elite passing accuracy remained central to the team’s defensive structure. Her performances throughout the first three-quarters of the season once again highlighted her consistency and composure in possession.
In September 2025, Berkely was traded to the Houston Dash in exchange for Natalie Jacobs, alongside $75,000 in intra-league transfer funds. She debuted for the Dash on September 19, starting in a 1–0 win over Chicago Stars FC, and immediately slotted into the team’s defensive unit.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025 and beyond, Berkely is expected to anchor the Houston back line through the end of her contract in 2028. Her combination of leadership, technical quality, and big-game experience gives the Dash a foundation to build around for the coming seasons.