Manaka Matsukubo
Manaka Matsukubo (松窪 真心, Matsukubo Manaka, born July 28, 2004) is a Japanese professional football player who plays as a midfielder for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played for Japan women's national under-20 football team and was an integral part of the team that made the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final.[1] She made history in the NWSL when she became the youngest player to start in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup and the youngest player to score in the Challenge Cup.
![]() Matsukubo with the North Carolina Courage in 2023 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Manaka Matsukubo | ||
Date of birth | 28 July 2004 | ||
Place of birth | Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan | ||
Height | 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | North Carolina Courage | ||
Number | 34 | ||
Youth career | |||
2017–2022 | JFA Academy Fukushima | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2019–2022 | JFA Academy Fukushima | 46 | (30) |
2023– | Mynavi Sendai | 12 | (4) |
2023– | → North Carolina Courage (loan) | 6 | (1) |
International career‡ | |||
2019 | Japan U16 | ||
2022 | Japan U20 | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:33, 16 October 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:33, 16 October 2023 (UTC) |
Club career
Mynavi Sendai
Matsukubo made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai of the WE League on 5 March 2023 and played 1,075 minutes across the season.[2] She helped the team to a fourth-place finish in her first year as a professional, scoring four goals and adding one assist.[3]
North Carolina Courage, 2023–present
On 27 July 2023, the North Carolina Courage acquired Matsukubo on loan from Mynavi Sendai through June 2024.[2] She made her first NWSL appearance on 27 August 2023.[1] With the Courage, Matsukubo became the youngest player to start a game in the NWSL Challenge Cup and the youngest to score.[3] In the Challenge Cup final against Racing Louisville, she was named the MVP after scoring on a chip volley off a pass from Tess Boade in the 54th minute, lifting the Courage to the final score of 2–0.[4][5][6]
Matsukubo scored her first regular-season goal the next week in a 2–1 loss to the Orlando Pride.[7] In the Courage's last regular-season game, Matsukubo had an assist—a cross converted by Tyler Lussi—in the Courage's 1–0 win against the Washington Spirit that clinched their spot in the playoffs.[8]
International career
Matsukubo played for Japan's U-20 World Cup team during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022.[9]
References
- Cascone, Arianna (10 October 2023). "How 19-year-old Manaka Matsukubo is already lighting up the NWSL – Equalizer Soccer". Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- "Courage acquire Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo". North Carolina Courage. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- Needelman, Josh (9 September 2023). "NWSL Challenge Cup MVP: Manaka Matsukubo makes history". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- "Courage defend NWSL Challenge Cup with win over Racing Louisville". CBC.ca. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- "NC Courage win 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup as Kerolin, Matsukubo put on a show". Pro Soccer Wire. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- Cattry, Pardeep (10 September 2023). "Manaka Matsukubo a 'star in the making' for North Carolina Courage after NWSL Challenge Cup win". CBS Sports. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- Rantz, Susie (17 September 2023). "Pride beat Courage 2-1 in NWSL and move one point out of playoff position". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- "Recap: Courage grind out road win Sunday, earn home playoff bout". North Carolina Courage. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- "U-20 Japan Women's National Team squad - FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ (8/7-28@Costa Rica)" (in Japanese). Japan Football Association|公益財団法人日本サッカー協会. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
External links

- Manaka Matsukubo at Soccerway