Shea Groom Bio
Shea Ellese Groom (born March 4, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder or forward. She currently plays for Carolina Ascent of the USL Super League after signing with the club in January 2026. Groom is a former United States youth international and a 2015 NWSL College Draft selection who won the NWSL Championship as a rookie with FC Kansas City.
Across her career, Groom has suited up for FC Kansas City, Sky Blue FC, Reign FC, the Houston Dash, the Chicago Red Stars, and Carolina Ascent. She won a second major trophy with the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup during her time with the Houston Dash. A versatile attacker with a strong left foot, Groom is recognized for her work rate, passing range, and clutch performances in finals.
Early Life and Background
Shea Ellese Groom was born on March 4, 1993, in Liberty, Missouri, in the United States. She is the daughter of Kelly and Lesa Groom, and she grew up in a sports-minded household in the Kansas City area. Her older sister, Kami, is a competitive ultimate player who has represented the United States on national teams.
Groom attended Liberty High School, where she led the girls’ soccer team to a state championship. She was named Missouri’s Player of the Year in 2010 and earned Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year honors in both 2010 and 2011. Groom was also selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School Girls’ All-America Soccer Team, named NSCAA State Player of the Year in 2010, and recognized as an ESPN Rise All-American in 2011.
Path to Soccer
After a decorated high school career, Groom committed to Texas A&M University, where she joined the Texas A&M Aggies women’s soccer program. Over four college seasons from 2011 through 2014, she developed into one of the most productive attacking players in the Southeastern Conference, finishing with 41 goals and 25 assists in 84 career matches for the Aggies.
Her senior season was her most impressive, as she recorded 16 goals and seven assists in 26 matches in 2014, ranking third in the SEC and 19th nationally for goals. That year, she won the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award and was named a first-team All-American. Her college form made her one of the most attractive prospects heading into the 2015 NWSL College Draft.
Shea Groom Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Groom was selected by FC Kansas City as the 12th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NWSL College Draft. She made her professional debut against Sky Blue FC on April 12, 2015, and scored her first goal for the club on May 2, 2015, in a 2-0 win over the Houston Dash. Her quick impact earned her the team’s Rookie of the Year award for 2015.
She capped her debut season by appearing in the 2015 NWSL Championship game as a second-half substitute, helping FC Kansas City to a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Reign to claim the title. In 2016, she was named to the NWSL Second XI, cementing her reputation as a rising contributor at the professional level. After the 2017 season, FC Kansas City ceased operations, and on December 29, 2017, Groom was traded to Sky Blue FC.
NWSL Breakthrough and Travel Years (2018–2019)
Groom spent the 2018 season with Sky Blue FC before being acquired by Reign FC on January 15, 2019. Her time in the Pacific Northwest during the 2019 campaign was brief but gave her exposure to a new tactical environment, preparing her for her next move in the league.
Houston Dash Era (2020–2023)
On February 3, 2020, Groom was acquired by the Houston Dash, along with Megan Oyster and a conditional draft pick, in a trade with Reign FC that sent Sofia Huerta and Amber Brooks the other way. She quickly became a key piece of the Dash midfield, helping the club lift the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup trophy in a memorable tournament held during the early months of the COVID-19 era.
Groom remained a consistent contributor for the Houston Dash through the 2023 season, providing experience and creativity in the attacking third. Her four seasons in Houston represented the longest single-club stretch of her professional career to that point.
Chicago Stars FC Era (2024–2025)
In January 2024, Groom signed with the Chicago Red Stars as a free agent, reuniting her with a familiar NWSL environment. Across her two seasons in the Midwest, she made 31 appearances and scored 2 goals before departing the club at the end of 2025.
Carolina Ascent Era (2026–Present)
In January 2026, Groom signed with the Carolina Ascent of the USL Super League, taking the next step of her career in a newer professional women’s soccer league. She made her club debut on January 31, 2026, entering as a second-half substitute in a defeat against Sporting JAX, opening the second half of the Carolina Ascent season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although this section usually covers driving style, in Groom’s case it refers to her playing style. Shea Groom is a versatile attacker comfortable playing as a midfielder or forward, using a strong left foot to deliver passes, set pieces, and finishes. Her strengths include vision in the final third, dependable two-way work rate, and the composure to perform in high-pressure matches, as shown by her rookie championship and her role in the 2020 Challenge Cup triumph.
Notable Events and Milestones
Groom’s signature moments include her 2015 NWSL Championship appearance with FC Kansas City, where she lifted the trophy as a rookie, and her part in the Houston Dash’s 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup title. She also earned first-team All-American honors in 2014 and was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, milestones that announced her arrival as a top American soccer talent.
Shea Groom Career Wins
Shea Groom has collected major silverware at the professional level, beginning with the 2015 NWSL Championship in her rookie season. She added a second team title with the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup during her time with the Houston Dash, marking her as a proven winner in multiple club environments.
NWSL Highlights
Across the NWSL, Groom has appeared in a regular-season schedule and postseason matches for FC Kansas City, Sky Blue FC, Reign FC, the Houston Dash, and the Chicago Stars FC. Her first NWSL title came as a second-half substitute in the 2015 Championship, and her most recent major team trophy was the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup with the Houston Dash.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Groom earned first-team All-American honors in 2014 and was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, capping a run that produced 41 goals and 25 assists in 84 career matches for the Texas A&M Aggies. At the youth international level, she represented the United States at the 2015 La Manga Tournament with the under-23 team, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 victory over Norway.
Shea Groom Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Groom’s parents are Kelly and Lesa Groom, and the family is based in Liberty, Missouri, where Shea grew up and starred at Liberty High School. Her older sister, Kami, has pursued her own athletic path as a competitive ultimate player who has represented the United States on various national teams.
Personal Life
Shea Groom is known publicly through her professional career and social media presence, with her personal life kept largely private. Her close family ties and Missouri roots remain a recognizable part of her identity, with Liberty High School and the Texas A&M Aggies shaping her early path into professional soccer.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented the second and final year of Shea Groom’s contract with the Chicago Stars FC in the NWSL. She continued to provide veteran presence in midfield, making 31 combined appearances and contributing 2 goals across her two seasons with the club.
Her time with the Chicago Stars FC ended at the conclusion of the 2025 season, opening the door for her next professional chapter. Looking ahead, Groom transitioned to the USL Super League with Carolina Ascent in January 2026, beginning a new phase of her career in a growing professional league.