Tyler Lussi Bio
Tyler Tompkins Lussi (born January 26, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who most recently played as a forward and a right back. She is best known for her time in the National Women’s Soccer League, where she represented the Portland Thorns, Angel City FC, and the North Carolina Courage. After starring at Princeton University, where she set multiple program records, Lussi embarked on a professional career that has included an NWSL Championship and a U.S. youth international cap. Standing at 5 ft 7 in, she is regarded as a versatile attacker capable of contributing both as a scorer and as a wide defender.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Tompkins Lussi was born on January 26, 1995, in Gibson Island, Maryland, in the United States. She grew up in the Bethesda area of Maryland, where she developed her early soccer skills with the Bethesda Soccer Club, one of the most respected youth programs in the region. The club’s structured environment helped shape her technical foundation and competitive mindset, preparing her for the demands of high-level collegiate play.
From a young age, Lussi demonstrated a natural goal-scoring instinct and a willingness to play anywhere on the pitch. Her family supported her athletic development throughout her childhood, and her time with Bethesda allowed her to test herself against top youth talent on the East Coast. These formative years in Maryland laid the groundwork for her eventual recruitment to an Ivy League program and, ultimately, to a professional career.
Path to Soccer
Lussi’s path to professional soccer ran through Princeton University, where she suited up for the Princeton Tigers from 2013 to 2016. She majored in history while pursuing one of the most prolific attacking careers in program history. In her freshman season, she scored 10 goals in 17 games, becoming the highest-scoring freshman in 31 years, and was the first player to earn three Ivy League Rookie of the Week awards in a single season.
Across her four years at Princeton, Lussi scored 53 career goals and accumulated 122 career points, both program records. She was a three-time first-team All-Ivy League selection, a two-time Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year, and an NSCAA second-team All-American. Her combination of scoring consistency and off-the-field academic discipline drew the attention of NWSL scouts, leading to her selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft by the Portland Thorns with the 21st overall pick.
Tyler Lussi Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
After a two-week trial with the Portland Thorns in 2017, Lussi was signed to her first professional contract and made her debut on July 1, 2017, in a 1–1 draw against the Houston Dash. She opened her professional scoring account on August 5, 2017, netting a goal in a 2–1 win over the same opponent. As a rookie, she recorded five appearances and three starts, serving as an unused substitute when Portland won the 2017 NWSL Championship.
In her second season, Lussi earned 15 appearances and three regular-season starts. She continued to develop her game under the Thorns’ coaching staff, gaining valuable minutes in one of the league’s most competitive environments. Although she did not feature in Portland’s 2018 NWSL Championship match, the experience of training alongside established international players accelerated her growth.
Portland Thorns Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Across her five seasons in Portland, Lussi became a reliable depth contributor for a perennial contender. She never made more than three regular-season starts in a single season, but she produced several memorable moments, including a stoppage-time goal in the 94th minute to seal a 4–3 win over the Orlando Pride on July 14, 2019. Her willingness to embrace limited minutes and remain ready for impactful substitute appearances earned her the respect of teammates and coaches.
Lussi finished her Portland tenure with five goals and four assists in 42 regular-season appearances. While she was not a regular starter, her consistency in training and her clutch contributions helped the Thorns remain among the NWSL’s elite clubs. Her experience in Portland taught her the tactical discipline and professional habits that would later define her stints with other clubs.
Angel City FC Era (2022)
On December 8, 2021, Lussi was traded to expansion side Angel City FC, where she was reunited with the league’s growing spotlight on the West Coast. She started Angel City’s very first competitive match on March 19, 2022, a 1–1 draw against the San Diego Wave in the NWSL Challenge Cup. A week later, she scored her first Angel City goal in a 3–1 loss to OL Reign.
During the 2022 season, Lussi transitioned into a starting right back role following an injury to Jasmyne Spencer, despite having spent most of her career as a forward. The position switch showcased her tactical flexibility and her team-first mentality. Her willingness to play out of position for the good of the team earned praise from the Angel City coaching staff and added a new dimension to her game.
North Carolina Courage Era (2023–2025)
On January 20, 2023, Lussi was traded to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for defender Merritt Mathias. She signed a new contract through 2024, with an option extending to 2025. She debuted for the Courage on March 25, 2023, in a 1–0 win over the Kansas City Current, and scored her first club goal on April 28 against the Houston Dash.
Her 2023 campaign was a breakthrough, as she finished the season with six goals, second on the team behind MVP Kerolin. Five of those six goals were game-winners in 1–0 victories, a remarkable rate of late decisiveness. In 2024, she added four more goals, including a key finish in a 2–0 win over her former Portland Thorns, and contributed in matches against Angel City and the Seattle Reign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lussi is recognized for her clinical finishing, her intelligent movement off the ball, and her willingness to press defenders high up the pitch. Her comfort playing both as a central forward and as a wide right back makes her a valuable tactical option for any coach. She pairs her attacking instincts with a strong work rate and an ability to track back defensively when deployed in deeper positions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature moments, Lussi’s stoppage-time winner against the Orlando Pride in 2019 stands out, as does her role in Portland’s 2017 NWSL Championship squad. Her 2023 season with the North Carolina Courage, in which she recorded five game-winning goals, marked the most prolific stretch of her professional career. She also represented the United States at the under-23 level during the 2017 La Manga Tournament in Spain.
Tyler Lussi Career Wins
Tyler Lussi has built her professional résumé on consistent contributions across multiple NWSL clubs, complemented by her record-setting college career. Her list of honors includes the 2017 NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns and her recognition as Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year in both 2014 and 2015. While she is not typically categorized as a prolific goal scorer at the professional level, her knack for timely finishes has been a defining trait of her career.
NWSL and Club Highlights
In the NWSL, Lussi recorded five goals and four assists across 42 regular-season appearances for the Portland Thorns. She added six goals for the North Carolina Courage in 2023 and four more in 2024, including a goal and an assist in a 2–0 win over Portland. She opened her Angel City account in the 2022 Challenge Cup and helped launch the club’s first competitive match.
At Princeton, Lussi’s 53 career goals and 122 career points established new program benchmarks, while her three first-team All-Ivy League selections underscored her dominance at the collegiate level. She was also an NSCAA second-team All-American in 2015, capping one of the most decorated careers in Tigers history.
Other Wins and Performances
Lussi’s international experience includes a cap with the United States under-23 team at the 2017 La Manga Tournament in Spain, where she started against Norway and assisted Morgan Andrews on the match’s only goal. Her senior club career has since spanned four NWSL franchises and brought her exposure to the league’s evolving tactical demands.
Tyler Lussi Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Public information about Tyler Lussi’s immediate family is limited, and she has not shared extensive details about her parents or siblings. Her upbringing in the Bethesda, Maryland, area exposed her to a strong youth soccer infrastructure, and her development with the Bethesda Soccer Club played a central role in her path to the Ivy League. Beyond that, she has kept much of her family life out of the public eye.
Personal Life
Lussi has maintained a relatively private personal life, with no public confirmation of a spouse or children. Off the field, she has pursued her academic interests, having majored in history during her time at Princeton University. Her social media presence reflects her ongoing connection to the soccer community and her commitment to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign represented a transition period for Lussi, who continued her tenure with the North Carolina Courage as she worked her way back from injury and adjusted to new roles under the coaching staff. Her experience and finishing ability kept her in the team’s plans, even as younger players pushed for greater responsibility. Throughout the season, she remained a respected veteran presence in the locker room.
Looking ahead, Lussi’s next chapter took shape in early 2026, when she signed with USL Super League club Carolina Ascent FC. Her debut on February 21, 2026, against Dallas Trinity FC, and her first USL Super League goal on March 13 against Tampa Bay Sun FC, both demonstrated that her scoring touch remained intact. In March 2026, she was named the USL Super League Player of the Month, signaling that her career had found new momentum at a different level of the American soccer pyramid.