Sydney Leroux Bio
Sydney Rae Leroux is a Canadian-born American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Born in Canada to a Canadian mother and an American father, Leroux came up through the Canadian youth system before choosing to represent the United States. She has earned more than 75 caps with the senior national team and was part of the championship squads at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, Leroux is widely known for her finishing instincts and competitive edge on the pitch. She is also recognized off the field through major endorsement deals, magazine features, and her popular social media presence. Her nickname among teammates and supporters is “Syd the Kid.”
Early Life and Background
Sydney Rae Leroux was born on May 7, 1990, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Her mother, Sandi Leroux, is a white Canadian who played third base for the Canadian national softball team, while her father, Ray Chadwick, is a Black American who pitched briefly for the California Angels in 1986. Her parents separated before she was born, and Leroux was raised primarily by her mother. She also played youth baseball for Whalley Little League from 1994 to 2004.
Leroux attended Johnston Heights Secondary School in Surrey for two years, where she led the soccer team in scoring and also competed in track and field, winning a provincial title in the 4×100 meters relay. She played club soccer for Coquitlam City Wild, helping the team to Provincial Cup championships in 2003, 2004, and 2005. At age 15, she became the youngest player ever to appear for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the W-League.
Determined to pursue a career with the U.S. national team, Leroux moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, at 15 and completed high school at Horizon High School while living with host families. With Sereno Soccer Club, she won state titles in 2007 and 2008, establishing herself as one of the top youth talents in the country.
Path to Professional Soccer
Leroux earned a spot on the U.S. under-20 national team in 2008, just months after helping Canada at the youth level. She scored in the final of the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as the U.S. won the title in Santiago, Chile. Over the course of her U-20 career, she set a national record with 30 goals in 36 appearances, including 10 goals in U-20 World Cup play.
At UCLA from 2008 to 2011, Leroux became one of the most decorated forwards in program history under coaches Jill Ellis and B. J. Snow. She set a single-season record with 23 goals in her sophomore year, was a two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist, and finished her collegiate career ranked fourth at UCLA in points (126), goals (57), and game-winning goals (23).
Selected as the number one overall pick by the Atlanta Beat in the 2012 Women’s Professional Soccer Draft, Leroux instead began her professional club career in the NWSL after that league’s founding. She debuted in the NWSL’s inaugural 2013 season with the Boston Breakers.
Sydney Leroux Career
Early Career (2005, 2011-2012)
Leroux first appeared for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the W-League in 2005 at age 15, becoming the youngest player in team history. She returned to the Whitecaps for the 2011 season, scoring 11 goals in 11 appearances and earning W-League Rookie of the Year honors. Following her college career at UCLA, she was the top pick in the 2012 WPS Draft by the Atlanta Beat, though the league folded before she could play.
During the summer of 2012, Leroux joined the Seattle Sounders Women of the W-League alongside U.S. national team players such as Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe. Limited to two appearances because of national team duty, she still contributed two goals and one assist in 168 minutes.
Boston Breakers Breakthrough (2013)
Allocated to the Boston Breakers for the NWSL’s inaugural 2013 season, Leroux quickly made her mark. She scored the league’s first-ever hat trick in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on May 4, 2013, earning NWSL Player of the Week. Her 11 goals tied for second in the league that season and helped her finish third in voting for NWSL Rookie of the Year.
Leroux also delivered key goals against the Seattle Reign FC and the Portland Thorns FC as the Breakers finished fifth in the standings. Her debut campaign established her as one of the league’s most dangerous young forwards.
Seattle Reign FC and Western New York Flash (2014-2015)
Traded to Seattle Reign FC in November 2013, Leroux joined a squad that set an NWSL-record 16-game unbeaten streak and won the NWSL Shield in 2014. After helping the Reign reach the NWSL Championship Final, she finished the year with five goals in 22 games.
A March 2015 trade sent Leroux to the Western New York Flash, though injuries and her 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup duty limited her to three appearances and one goal. Following the World Cup, she underwent ankle surgery that sidelined her for the remainder of the NWSL season and the U.S. Victory Tour.
FC Kansas City (2016-2017)
Traded to FC Kansas City in January 2016, Leroux missed the entire 2016 season due to pregnancy. She returned in 2017, scoring in the season opener against the Boston Breakers and finishing the year with six goals across 23 appearances before FC Kansas City ceased operations following the season.
Orlando Pride Era (2018-2022)
Traded to the Orlando Pride in February 2018, Leroux signed a contract as a non-allocated player. She returned to action in 2019 just three months after giving birth to her daughter, appearing as a late substitute against Sky Blue FC. She later signed a three-year extension with an additional option year ahead of the 2021 season.
Angel City FC Era (2022-Present)
Acquired by Angel City FC on June 29, 2022, Leroux made only three appearances during the club’s inaugural season because of ankle surgery. In 2023, she scored her first goal for the club and added a bicycle kick against the Portland Thorns FC as Angel City reached the playoffs for the first time.
In 2024, Leroux climbed into the NWSL’s top 10 all-time scoring list, surpassing Carli Lloyd with her 44th career NWSL goal in May. She scored the 100th goal in Angel City history on October 20, 2024, and signed a new contract that will keep her at the club through 2027. In 2025, Leroux announced she was stepping away from soccer for her mental health, though she remained on the Angel City roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Leroux is known for her relentless pressing, sharp movement off the ball, and finishing ability inside the penalty area. Coaches have praised her work rate, willingness to win the ball back, and competitive mentality, qualities that have made her a reliable goal-scoring option at both club and international levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her most celebrated moments, Leroux scored in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final and tallied five goals in a single CONCACAF Olympic qualifying match against Guatemala in 2012. She was part of the U.S. teams honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City and a White House reception following the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sydney Leroux Career Wins
Across her professional career, Leroux has contributed to multiple team titles and individual records in the United States and Canada. Her trophy collection includes the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, the 2012 Olympic gold medal, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2014 NWSL Shield with Seattle Reign FC, and the 2013 NWSL Rookie of the Year runner-up honor.
NWSL Highlights
Leroux has scored more than 44 goals in NWSL regular season play, placing her among the league’s top 10 all-time scorers. She scored the league’s first-ever hat trick with the Boston Breakers in 2013 and reached her 150th NWSL regular season appearance on June 30, 2024, against the Orlando Pride. Her 100th goal for Angel City came in October 2024 against the Utah Royals.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NWSL, Leroux helped the Vancouver Whitecaps to the 2011 W-League Championship Final Four and won W-League Rookie of the Year. At UCLA, she earned multiple All-American selections and was twice a Hermann Trophy semifinalist before being named the 2011 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year.
Sydney Leroux Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sydney Leroux comes from a sports-minded family. Her mother, Sandi Leroux, played third base for the Canadian national softball team, and her father, Ray Chadwick, was a professional baseball pitcher who briefly played for the California Angels in 1986. Her parents separated before she was born, and Sydney was raised primarily by her mother in Surrey, British Columbia.
Personal Life
Leroux holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States. She married MLS forward Dom Dwyer in January 2015 after the couple became engaged in 2014. They have two children together: son Cassius Cruz Dwyer, born on September 10, 2016, and daughter Roux James Dwyer, born on June 28, 2019. Leroux and Dwyer announced their divorce on August 6, 2021, after six years of marriage. She is currently in a relationship with NBA agent Dave Spahn. Her pet chihuahua, Boss Leroux, has built a large social media following alongside her owner.
2025 Season Performance
Sydney Leroux entered 2025 with a contract extension in place that ties her to Angel City FC through 2027. The club’s all-time scoring leaderboard continued to feature her name among the most prolific forwards in NWSL history following her 2024 milestone season.
On the eve of Angel City’s first match of 2025, Leroux announced she was stepping away from soccer for her mental health. She did not feature for the club during the 2025 NWSL season, choosing instead to focus on personal well-being while remaining under contract.
Although she did not play, Leroux continued to be listed on the Angel City roster heading into the following campaign. Her stated plan is to return to the pitch when she is ready, with the club publicly supporting her decision and her long-term commitment through 2027.