Emily Townsend Menges (born July 28, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for Portland Thorns FC, with whom she won two NWSL Shields and two NWSL Championships.

Emily Menges
Menges with Bay FC in 2024
Personal information
Full name Emily Townsend Menges[1]
Date of birth (1992-07-28) July 28, 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Garden City, New York, United States
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Center back
Team information
Current team
Bay FC
Number 4
Youth career
Albertson Fury '91
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2013 Georgetown Hoyas 84 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2023 Portland Thorns 133 (0)
2019–2020Melbourne Victory (loan) 13 (0)
2024– Bay FC 0 (0)
International career
2013 United States U23
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of January 16, 2020

Early life

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Menges was born in Garden City, New York and attended Garden City High School. She played for the Albertson Fury '91, winning three consecutive Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Open Cups from 2009 to 2011.[2]

Georgetown

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Menges attended Georgetown University. She finished her college career as one of the most decorated players in program history, earning the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award and NSCAA First Team All-American honors in 2013,[2] in addition to being a three-time All-Big East selection. She captained the Hoyas' defense to 23 shutouts over her final two seasons, including a school-record 13 clean sheets as a junior in 2012. Menges appeared in 84 games (83 starts), scored two goals, and helped the Georgetown defense post 40 shutouts. She was a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist in 2012 and 2013.[3]

Club career

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Long Island Fury

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Menges played for the Long Island Fury, winning the second-division Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) national championship in 2009.

Portland Thorns FC, 2014–2023

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Menges with the Thorns in 2016

Portland Thorns FC selected Menges with the 25th overall pick in the third round of the 2014 NWSL College Draft.[3] She made her first appearance with the Thorns on April 12, 2014, helping the team record a shutout in a 1–0 road win against the Houston Dash.[4]

Menges was a starting centerback for the Thorns when they won the 2016 NWSL Shield and the 2017 NWSL Championship. She has been a favorite of fans, winning the Supporters' Player of the Year award in 2016.[3] She came third in NWSL Defender of the Year voting in the 2021 season.[5]

Bay FC

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She was acquired by Bay FC in December 2023.[6]

International career

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In December 2013, Menges was called up to participate in training camp with the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team.[7] In November 2016, Menges was called into training camp with the U.S. women's national soccer team.[3]

Personal life

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Menges is the vice-president of the I'm Not Done Yet Foundation, an organization started by the Menges family after her brother Bobby's death in 2017. I'm Not Done Yet is dedicated to helping pediatric and young adult patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses.[8]

Honors

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Long Island Fury

  • WPSL national championship: 2009

Portland Thorns FC

Individual

  • NWSL Best XI – 2016[3]
  • NWSL Second XI – 2017[3]
  • Team Most Valuable Player (Portland Thorns) – 2016[3]
  • Supporters' Player of the Year (Portland Thorns) – 2016[3]
  • First Team All-American (NCSAA) – 2013[3]
  • MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist – 2012, 2013[3]
  • Big East Defensive Player of the Year – 2013[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Emily Townsend Menges". Asian Football Confederation. 2019. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Emily Menges Goes to the Portland Thorns to Play For Her Youth Soccer Coach". Eastern New York State Soccer Association. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Player Bio: Emily Menges". Portland Thorns FC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  4. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (April 13, 2014). "Portland Thorns beat Houston Dash 1–0 in season-opening game". oregonlive. The Oregonian. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  5. ^ Hruby, Emma (November 16, 2021). "Gotham FC's Caprice Dydasco Named NWSL Defender of the Year". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Clarke, Ryan (December 12, 2023). "Portland Thorns trade Emily Menges, Hannah Betfort for expansion draft protection". oregonlive. The Oregonian.
  7. ^ "Daphne Corboz, Emily Menges Selected to Train with U.S. Under-23 National Team". Georgetown University Athletics. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  8. ^ "I'm Not Done Yet Foundation". I'm Not Done Yet Foundation. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  9. ^ Snipes, Tyler (August 22, 2021). "The Portland Thorns are WICC Champions!". International Champions Cup.
  10. ^ Azzi, Alex (October 30, 2022). "Portland Thorns win 2022 NWSL Championship, MVP Smith scores game winner". On Her Turf. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  11. ^ "2014 BIG EAST Women's Soccer Record Book". November 19, 2014. p. 6. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
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