Tess Boade Bio
Theresa Stephanie Boade (born February 3, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Duke Blue Devils and also trained with the United States U-19 and U-18 Women’s national teams. Boade has made significant contributions to her team, including being named captain and scoring key goals. She wears jersey number 12 for Bay FC and stands 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) tall.
Early Life and Background
Theresa Stephanie Boade was born on February 3, 1999, in Dallas, Texas. She later moved to Golden, Colorado, where she grew up and developed her athletic foundation. For high school, she attended Valor Christian, where she was a multi-sport athlete competing in basketball, soccer, and track. Her sister, Meg Boade, also plays professional soccer for the Washington Spirit, giving the Boade family a notable presence in the women’s game.
During her youth career, Boade played for Colorado Rush from 2011 to 2015, followed by a season with Real Colorado in 2015–2016. In August 2014, she was named to the United States under-17 national team roster for friendly matches against South Korea, an early indicator of her international potential.
Path to Soccer
Boade committed to Duke University, where she played for the Duke Blue Devils from 2017 through 2021. Across her five seasons with the program, including her COVID year, she helped lead the team to NCAA Tournament appearances each season. Her leadership and consistency at the college level positioned her as a top professional prospect.
Following her college career, Boade entered the National Women’s Soccer League. She signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2021 before moving on to the North Carolina Courage in March 2022. Her journey through these programs, combined with her youth national team experience, set the stage for her role as a leader at Bay FC.
Tess Boade Career
Early Career (2021)
Theresa Stephanie Boade began her professional career with NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2021. The stint was brief, but it provided her first taste of NWSL competition and allowed her to train alongside established professionals in the league. Her time with Gotham helped her transition from the college game to the speed and physicality of the professional ranks.
After a short period with Gotham, Boade signed a two-year contract with the North Carolina Courage on March 18, 2022. She made her professional debut with the Courage the very next day during an NWSL Challenge Cup match against NJ/NY Gotham FC, immediately stepping into a competitive environment.
North Carolina Courage Era (2022–2023)
Boade’s debut season with the Courage was marked by quick adjustment and an international opportunity. In November 2022, she joined Australian A-League Women club Western Sydney Wanderers on loan. The loan was originally scheduled to run until February 2023, but it ended early after Boade suffered a shoulder injury during the Sydney Derby.
Following surgery and rehabilitation, Boade returned from injury on June 10, 2023, against the Chicago Red Stars, where she started and recorded an assist in a 5–0 victory. She then started the remaining 13 regular season and playoff games for the North Carolina Courage, including starts in the semi-finals and finals of the NWSL Challenge Cup, which the Courage won for the second consecutive year.
Bay FC Era (2024–Present)
In December 2023, Tess Boade was drafted third overall in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft by Bay FC. Bay FC built its inaugural roster by selecting Alyssa Malonson, Rachel Hill, Katelyn Rowland, and Sierra Enge, among others, with the first and second picks of the draft, Ally Sentnor and Alyssa Malonson, both earning national team call-ups during their 2024 seasons.
Boade quickly became a leader for the expansion club. She wore the captain armband in Bay FC’s first-ever home win on April 14, 2024, and scored the game-winning goal in the 1–0 home victory against Angel City FC. She was named co-captain of the 2025 Bay FC team alongside Abby Dahlkemper, further cementing her role as a foundational figure for the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Boade is recognized for her leadership, work rate, and ability to influence matches from the midfield. She combines a competitive edge with composure in possession, and her willingness to wear the captain’s armband reflects the trust teammates and coaches place in her decision-making. Her set-piece delivery and timely runs into the box have produced key goals for Bay FC.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Tess Boade’s standout moments are her third overall selection in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft, her game-winning goal in Bay FC’s first home victory, and her captaincy honors in 2025. She has also experienced the unique milestone of competing professionally against her sister Meg Boade of the Washington Spirit, an event she marked with a pre-match interview alongside her sibling.
Tess Boade Career Wins
Tess Boade’s career highlights include a Challenge Cup title with the North Carolina Courage and the distinction of being a top-three selection in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft. She has also represented the United States at the youth international level, including the under-17 team in 2014.
Bay FC Highlights
Boade scored the game-winning goal in Bay FC’s first-ever home win on April 14, 2024, a 1–0 victory over Angel City FC. She was named co-captain of the 2025 Bay FC squad, reinforcing her status as a central leader for the expansion club in its early seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
During her time at Duke, Boade helped the Blue Devils reach the NCAA Tournament in each of her five seasons. With the North Carolina Courage, she was part of the squad that won the NWSL Challenge Cup for the second consecutive year in 2023, contributing starts in both the semi-finals and the final.
Tess Boade Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
The Boade family has a clear presence in women’s professional soccer. Boade grew up in Golden, Colorado, after being born in Dallas, Texas, and attended Valor Christian High School. Her sister, Meg Boade, plays professionally for the Washington Spirit, making the Boades one of the notable sibling pairs in the NWSL.
Personal Life
Tess Boade’s personal life is rooted in her family and her commitment to professional soccer. The 2025 NWSL season brought a memorable family moment when she faced her sister Meg Boade and the Washington Spirit, an occasion highlighted by a pre-match interview between the two siblings. Boade continues to focus on her recovery and her leadership role at Bay FC.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NWSL season has positioned Tess Boade as co-captain of Bay FC alongside veteran Abby Dahlkemper. Early in the campaign, Bay FC faced the Washington Spirit, setting up a marquee matchup between Tess and her sister Meg Boade, with Tess conducting a pre-match interview with her sibling to mark the occasion.
Boade’s season was interrupted by a dirty tackle in a subsequent match, which sidelined her for several months. Her absence tested Bay FC’s depth, but her leadership in the locker room remained a steady presence as the club navigated the middle portion of the schedule.
Looking ahead, Bay FC will look to Boade to anchor its midfield and contribute both goals and captaincy as the team pushes for a playoff position. With her combination of experience, work rate, and big-match temperament, she remains central to the club’s long-term vision.