Taylor Malham Bio
Taylor Malham is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left back for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Born and raised in Oklahoma, she played college soccer for the Arkansas Razorbacks before launching her professional career. Malham, who now goes by her married name Taylor Wood, has also represented the United States at the youth international level.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, Malham has built a reputation as a steady defender with a nose for timely goals, both in college and at the professional level. Her journey from high school state champion in Oklahoma to an NWSL roster reflects years of steady development and consistency.
Early Life and Background
Taylor Malham was born on May 20, 1999, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She grew up in the Tulsa area and attended Union High School, where she was a multi-sport standout. In addition to excelling on the soccer field, Malham was a four-year starter on the school’s basketball team, finishing her senior season among the top scorers in her class and earning all-state recognition.
On the soccer side, Malham played a part in Union’s back-to-back undefeated seasons in 2015 and 2016, winning the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) 6A state championship both years. She scored a goal in the second of those championship games, and Union was named national champions in both seasons by TopDrawerSoccer.com. She closed her high school career by being named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year for 2016–17 and was rated a three-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com and the 88th-ranked player nationally by IMG Academy.
Outside of high school competition, Malham played club soccer for TSC Hurricanes and Fortuna Tulsa, and was invited to the under-17 United States national team camp in December 2015. At Union, she frequently played alongside Parker Goins, a teammate who later joined her at Arkansas and in Louisville.
Path to Soccer
Malham’s path to college soccer began with her commitment to the University of Arkansas, where she joined the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2017 as a freshman defender. She made her collegiate debut on August 18, 2017, against SMU and scored her first collegiate goal two days later against North Texas. By the end of that first season, she had started all 24 matches, the most of any freshman on the team, and recorded six goals and two assists, including three game-winning goals.
Across her five years at Arkansas, Malham became one of the program’s most consistent contributors. She was a four-year starter and, in her graduate senior season in 2021, set the Arkansas record for career starts with 106. She was named first-team All-SEC in 2019 and 2021 and earned a place on the SEC All-Tournament Team in her freshman and senior seasons.
Following her college career, Malham declared for the 2021 NWSL Draft. After going undrafted, Racing Louisville FC acquired her rights, setting the stage for her transition into the professional ranks.
Taylor Malham Career
Early Career (2022)
Malham signed her first professional contract with Racing Louisville FC of the NWSL on March 15, 2022, agreeing to a one-year deal with an option for an additional year. She made her professional debut on March 30, 2022, against the Chicago Red Stars. Across the 2022 season, she appeared in five matches for Louisville in all competitions.
On November 15, 2022, Racing Louisville exercised the option to extend her contract into the 2023 season. However, on February 18, 2023, the club waived her before the start of the new campaign, ending her time in Louisville after a single full year on the roster.
Chicago Stars Era (2023–Present)
The Chicago Red Stars, later rebranded as Chicago Stars FC, claimed Malham off the NWSL waiver wire and signed her to a one-year contract in March 2023. The move gave her a fresh start closer to her original professional debut, and she slotted in as a left back for the Chicago squad.
Malham has continued to feature for Chicago Stars FC beyond her initial deal, holding a place on the roster that runs through the 2024 season and beyond. She wears jersey number 32 for the team and has provided depth and experience along the back line.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a 5-foot-10 left back, Malham combines size with a knack for contributing in the attack. Her college statistics show a defender comfortable getting forward, evidenced by her game-winning goals against high-profile opponents. She is known for her composure in possession and her reliability in starting assignments, having completed 106 career starts at Arkansas.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her milestone moments, Malham recorded a hat trick on September 8, 2019, against McNeese State and tallied the game-winning goal in Arkansas’ NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen match against Notre Dame in 2021. She also represented the United States at the youth international level, scoring for the under-18 team in a 1–1 draw against Switzerland in April 2018.
Taylor Malham Career Wins
At the club level, Malham’s trophy case is anchored by her two consecutive OSSAA 6A state championships with Union High School in 2015 and 2016, where Union also earned recognition as national champions by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Her professional career is still in its early stages, and she has yet to add major NWSL silverware.
Other Wins and Performances
Malham’s individual accolades include the 2016–17 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year award, first-team All-SEC honors in 2019 and 2021, and a place on the SEC All-Tournament Team in her freshman and senior years at Arkansas. Her sister, Makenzie Malham, followed in her footsteps as a Gatorade Player of the Year and Arkansas Razorback.
Taylor Malham Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Malham comes from a family with deep roots in Oklahoma soccer. Her younger sister, Makenzie Malham, is also a competitive soccer player who was named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year for 2020–21 and played college soccer at Arkansas, just like her older sister.
Personal Life
Taylor Malham married Landen Wood on December 21, 2025, and now goes by the name Taylor Wood. Her NWSL profile and Wikipedia infobox reflect this updated surname, even as fans and media continue to recognize her longtime playing name, Taylor Malham.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NWSL season, Taylor Malham remains part of the Chicago Stars FC roster as a veteran left back providing depth and experience on the defensive line. The franchise’s recent rebrand from the Chicago Red Stars to Chicago Stars FC has ushered in a new era, and Malham’s familiarity with the team’s system makes her a steady presence during the transition.
While she has not always been a regular starter, Malham has continued to contribute off the bench and in spot starts, particularly when injuries or international call-ups have thinned the back line. Her size, composure, and prior experience with the organization position her as a reliable option for Chicago’s coaching staff.
Looking ahead, Malham’s role with Chicago Stars FC will likely revolve around defensive stability, mentoring younger backs, and offering another aerial and physical option in wide areas. Her continued presence on the roster underscores the club’s confidence in her as a dependable depth piece in the NWSL.