Kia McNeill

Kia Janeen McNeill (born May 15, 1986) is an American retired professional soccer defender who most recently played for the Boston Breakers in the NWSL. She previously played for the Saint Louis Athletica, Philadelphia Independence, and the Atlanta Beat in the WPS and was a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team.

Kia McNeill
Personal information
Full name Kia Janeen McNeill[1]
Date of birth (1986-05-15) May 15, 1986
Place of birth Avon, Connecticut, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Defender
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Boston College Eagles
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005 New England Mutiny
2007 Bay State Select
2008 Kristianstads DFF
2009 Saint Louis Athletica 19 (0)
2010 Atlanta Beat 19 (0)
2011 Philadelphia Independence 17 (1)
2012 Rossiyanka 1 (0)
2013 Boston Breakers 21 (0)
International career
United States U-19
United States U-23
Managerial career
2016– Brown Bears
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

McNeill was born and grew up in Avon, Connecticut and attended Avon High School. At Avon, she helped lead the women's soccer team to three straight Class M State Championships and three undefeated seasons. She was named 2003 State Player of the Year in Connecticut and was a two-time NSCAA High School All-American. She also earned letters in basketball and track.[2] In 2010, McNeill was inducted into the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame.[1]

Boston College

McNeill was a four-year starter and played in 86 consecutive games at Boston College. She was a forward for her first three seasons and switched her senior season to defender. As a team captain, McNeill was considered crucial to the Eagles defense as it was ranked sixth in the country in goals-against-average (0.475). She finished her career as the eighth all-time leading scorer at Boston with 61 career points.[3] Her final collegiate statistics included 86 games played, 24 goals and 13 assists. McNeill was named Big East Rookie of the Year and earned All-Big East First Team selection honors. She was also named by Soccer Buzz Magazine as the Northeast Freshman of the Year.[2]

Playing career

Kristianstads DFF

Two days after graduation at Boston College, McNeill flew to Sweden to begin her professional career as a member Kristianstads DFF in the Damallsvenskan.[4]

St. Louis Athletica

McNeill was the ninth overall draft pick during the 2009 WPS Draft by the Saint Louis Athletica. During the 2009 WPS season, she appeared in 19 games for the Saint Louis Athletica, starting 17 times. She helped anchor a Saint Louis defense that allowed the second fewest goals in the WPS, the second fewest goals against average, and the second most shutouts.[2]

Atlanta Beat (WPS)

In February 2010, McNeill was traded to the Atlanta Beat. She started all 19 games playing a total of 1624 minutes.[2]

Philadelphia Independence (WPS)

During the 2011 WPS season, McNeill played for the expansion team, Philadelphia Independence. She started 17 of 17 games for a total of 1453 minutes and scored one goal.[2]

Rossiyanka

After the WPS suspended operations in early 2012, McNeill made a small stint with Leigh Ann Robinson, Yael Averbuch, and Omolyn Davis playing for WFC Rossiyanka.[5] She made one appearance, starting and playing the full ninety minutes.[6]

Boston Breakers (NWSL)

In February 2013, it was announced that McNeill had signed with the Boston Breakers for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League.[7] She started 21 of the Breakers' 22 2013 regular-season games, but announced that she would miss the 2014 season in order to focus on school and coaching work.[8]

International

McNeill appeared in two matches for the US U-23 Women's National Team in La Manga, Spain. She was previously part of the U-19 Women's national team player pool and scored four goals for the U-19 WNT at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Canada.[2]

References
  1. "Girls Soccer Hall of Fame". Hartford Courant. Vol. CLXXIV, no. 9. January 9, 2010. p. C2. Retrieved June 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Kia McNeill player profile". Philadelphia Independence. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  3. "Kia McNeill assistant coach profile". Boston College. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  4. "Kia McNeill Signs With Kristianstad". Boston College. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. "Russian Nightmares: Four former WPS players leave clubs abroad following contract disputes". Equalizer Soccer. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  6. "Kia McNeill player profile". Soccer Way. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  7. "Breakers add defensive depth with Kia McNeill". Equalizer Soccer. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  8. "Boston Breakers' Kia McNeill to Miss 2014 Season: Defender started all 21 games she appeared in last season". NWSL Soccer. March 21, 2014. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
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