Yazmeen Ryan Bio
Yazmeen Ann Ryan (born February 25, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward or a midfielder. She currently plays for Denver Summit FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and represents the United States national team. Ryan played college soccer for the TCU Horned Frogs and was drafted sixth overall by Portland Thorns FC in the 2021 NWSL Draft. She has won two NWSL Championships, lifting the trophy in 2022 with Portland and in 2023 with NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, Ryan has built a reputation as a versatile and reliable attacker across multiple clubs. Her career has taken her from her home state of Oklahoma to championship matches in some of the league’s most competitive environments.
Early Life and Background
Ryan grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, and attended Norman North High School. She developed her early soccer skills playing for the local club team Oklahoma Celtic. As a freshman at Norman North, she led the girls soccer team to its first-ever state championship, an early sign of the leadership that would later define her career.
Raised in a community with a strong youth soccer culture, Ryan benefited from competitive club competition in the Oklahoma area. Her time at Norman Celtic and Norman North gave her the foundation she needed to attract attention from top college programs and set the stage for her future in the sport.
Path to Soccer
Ryan joined the TCU Horned Frogs as an attacking midfielder in 2017, beginning her college career in the Big 12 Conference. She captained the TCU team in 2020 and led the program to its first-ever Big 12 conference championship, though she missed the championship-clinching game due to injury.
While still in college, Ryan also played for Oklahoma City FC of the Women’s Premier Soccer League, where she was later named to the club’s all-time Best XI. Her performances in both college and the WPSL helped position her as one of the top prospects heading into the 2021 NWSL Draft.
Yazmeen Ryan Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
During her college years, Ryan split her time between the TCU Horned Frogs and Oklahoma City FC of the Women’s Premier Soccer League. At Oklahoma City FC, she played from 2017 to 2019, gaining valuable senior-level experience while still developing her game at TCU. Her selection to the club’s all-time Best XI underscored her impact during those developmental seasons.
Her college progression at TCU included a leadership role as team captain in 2020, the same year she helped the Horned Frogs capture their first Big 12 title. These years laid the groundwork for her transition into professional soccer.
Portland Thorns Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Ryan was drafted sixth overall by the Portland Thorns in the 2021 NWSL Draft, with the club identifying her as their top target. To secure her selection, the Thorns traded two later picks and an international slot to move up to the sixth position. She spent two seasons in Portland, contributing as both a forward and midfielder.
Her most significant moment with the Thorns came on October 29, 2022, when she appeared in the starting lineup for the NWSL Championship Final. Portland won the title that year, giving Ryan her first professional championship and establishing her as a difference-maker on the biggest stage.
NJ/NY Gotham FC Era (2023–2024)
On January 5, 2023, Ryan was traded to NJ/NY Gotham FC as part of a three-team deal. She quickly became a central figure for her new club, making the most appearances of any Gotham player during the 2023 season. Her consistency and durability made her a fixture in the team’s lineup.
Ryan started in the 2023 NWSL Championship Final, in which Gotham defeated OL Reign 2–1 to claim the league title. The victory marked her second NWSL Championship in as many seasons and cemented her reputation as a clutch performer in championship matches.
Houston Dash Era (2025)
On December 7, 2024, the Houston Dash announced that they had acquired Ryan from Gotham in exchange for $80,000 in intra-league transfer funds, $400,000 of allocation money, and a 2025 NWSL international roster spot. The trade signaled Houston’s intention to build around the experienced attacker.
In her lone season in Houston, Ryan started 24 matches and led the Dash in both goals and shots on goal, serving as the team’s primary offensive engine throughout the campaign.
Denver Summit Era (2026–Present)
In March 2026, the Dash traded Ryan and teammate Delanie Sheehan to NWSL expansion team Denver Summit FC. The move gave Ryan an opportunity to help establish a new franchise in the league.
International Career
Ryan made two appearances for the United States under-18 team in April 2018 and three for the under-23 team in April 2019. She received her first call-up to the senior national team in October 2024 for the team’s Olympic gold medal victory tour. Ryan earned her first senior cap on October 24, 2024, in a 3–1 victory over Iceland.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ryan’s signature moments include her first NWSL title with Portland in 2022 and a second championship with Gotham in 2023, making her a back-to-back NWSL Champion. Her first senior international cap against Iceland in 2024 marked another career milestone as she joined the full United States national team.
Yazmeen Ryan Career Wins
Across her professional career, Yazmeen Ann Ryan has built a championship resume that includes two NWSL titles in consecutive seasons. Her winning experiences have come with two of the league’s most prominent clubs, and she has consistently delivered in high-stakes matches.
NWSL Championship Highlights
Ryan won her first NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns in 2022, starting in the final on October 29, 2022. She followed that with a second title in 2023 as a starter for NJ/NY Gotham FC, which defeated OL Reign 2–1 in the championship match. The back-to-back titles place her among a select group of players to win NWSL Championships in consecutive years with different teams.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her professional championships, Ryan helped TCU capture its first Big 12 conference championship in 2020, though she missed the deciding match due to injury. She also led Norman North to its first-ever girls soccer state championship as a freshman, an early indicator of her competitive drive.
Yazmeen Ryan Family
Personal Life
Yazmeen Ann Ryan was raised in Norman, Oklahoma, where she developed her soccer skills with the support of her local community. Her family background in Oklahoma helped shape her early path in the sport, and she continues to represent the values of hard work and consistency that defined her upbringing.
2025 Season Performance
Yazmeen Ann Ryan entered the 2025 NWSL season as a member of the Houston Dash following her December 2024 trade from NJ/NY Gotham FC. She was expected to serve as a central attacking option for a Dash team looking to build around her experience and scoring ability.
Ryan started 24 matches during the 2025 campaign and led the Dash in both goals and shots on goal, establishing herself as the team’s most consistent offensive threat. Her volume of shots and finishing opportunities reflected her role as a primary target in Houston’s attacking setup.
Despite her individual production, Ryan’s lone season in Houston ended with a March 2026 trade to expansion side Denver Summit FC. Her time with the Dash reinforced her reputation as a durable and productive forward, even as the team itself looked toward a new direction with her departure to the league’s newest franchise.
