Mia Justus Bio
Mia Taylin Justus (born September 3, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Florida State Seminoles and the Texas Longhorns. Justus was part of the Florida State team that won the 2021 national championship before transferring to Texas, where she led the team to two conference tournament titles. She represented the United States at the youth level, appearing at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Early Life and Background
Mia Justus was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. She is one of six children born to Lauren and Leon Justus. Mia is also a cousin of Tim Howard, a longtime goalkeeper for the United States men’s national team. Justus attended IMG Academy, where she honed her skills in soccer and first committed to Rutgers University before ultimately switching to Florida State University.
Path to Soccer
Justus began her collegiate soccer career with the Florida State Seminoles in 2021. During her time there, she served as the understudy to Cristina Roque, making eight starts in her freshman year and achieving five clean sheets. Justus was recognized for her performance by being named to the Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman team. After two successful years at Florida State, she transferred to the Texas Longhorns to gain more playing time and further develop her skills.
Mia Justus Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
Justus spent her first two collegiate years at Florida State University, where she contributed to the team’s success in winning both the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and national championships in 2021. In her sophomore year, she continued to excel, helping her team win the ACC regular-season title and reaching the NCAA semifinals. After her time at Florida State, she joined the Texas Longhorns in 2023, where she started every game in her junior season and was named second-team All-Big 12.
Breakthrough (2023-2024)
At Texas, Justus had a standout junior season in 2023, achieving nine shutouts in 26 games and leading her team to the Big 12 championship, where she was named the tournament’s most valuable player. In 2024, she set a program record with 12 clean sheets and was named to the All-SEC third team. Justus played a crucial role in leading the Longhorns to the SEC championship, showcasing her skills with a career-high 14 saves in a semifinal match against Arkansas.
Notable Works and Milestones
Mia Justus’s signature work includes her contributions to the Florida State Seminoles and Texas Longhorns, where she earned multiple accolades and played pivotal roles in championship victories. She has also represented the United States at various youth levels, including her participation in the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Mia Justus Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Mia Justus has received recognition for her performances, including being named to the Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman team and the All-Big 12 second team.
Mia Justus Awards Won
Mia Justus has achieved significant milestones in her soccer career, including winning the ACC and national championships with Florida State and leading Texas to the Big 12 and SEC championships. Her individual accolades include being named the most valuable player in both the Big 12 and SEC tournaments.
Mia Justus Family
Mia Justus comes from a supportive family, with her parents being Lauren and Leon Justus. She is one of six siblings, which has likely contributed to her competitive spirit and teamwork on the field.
Personal Life
Details about Mia Justus’s personal life remain private, focusing primarily on her professional career and achievements in soccer. As she continues her journey with the Utah Royals, her dedication to the sport and her development as a player will be closely followed by fans and analysts alike.