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{{Short description|Professional football (soccer) player}}
{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}

{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Amirah Ali
|embed =
|name = Amirah Ali
| image = Amirah Ali 2022-01 (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 200px
|image =
| caption = Ali with the [[San Diego Wave FC|San Diego Wave]] in 2022
|image_size =
| fullname = Amirah Iman Ali<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thesunpapers.com/2017/06/26/eastern-regional-high-school-class-of-2017/ |title=Eastern Regional High School Class of 2017 |publisher=The Berlin (N.J.) Sun |date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |first=Kristen |last=Dowd}}</ref>
|alt =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|12|7}}
|caption =
| birth_place = [[Voorhees Township, New Jersey]]
|fullname = Amirah Iman Ali<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thesunpapers.com/2017/06/26/eastern-regional-high-school-class-of-2017/|title=Eastern Regional High School Class of 2017|publisher=The Berlin (N.J.) Sun|date=June 26, 2017|access-date=July 7, 2022|first=Kristen |last=Dowd}}</ref>
| height = 5 ft 8 in
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|12|7}}
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]], [[Midfielder (association football)|Midfielder]]
|birth_place = [[Voorhees Township, New Jersey]]
| currentclub = [[San Diego Wave FC|San Diego Wave]]
|height = 5 ft. 8 in.
| clubnumber = 7
|position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]/[[Midfielder (association football)|Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 =
|currentclub = [[San Diego Wave FC]]
| youthclubs1 = Winslow Tigers
|clubnumber = 7
| youthyears2 =
|youthyears1 =
| youthclubs2 = Players Development Academy
|youthclubs1 = Winslow Tigers Soccer Club
| collegeyears1 = 2017–2021
|youthyears2 =
| college1 = [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's soccer|Rutgers Scarlet Knights]]
|youthclubs2 = Players Development Academy
| collegecaps1 = 103
|youthyears3 = 2014–2017
| collegegoals1 = 44
|youthclubs3 = [[Eastern Regional High School]]
| years1 = 2022–
|collegeyears1 = 2017–2021
| clubs1 = [[San Diego Wave FC|San Diego Wave]]
|college1 = [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's soccer|Rutgers Scarlet Knights]]
| caps1 = 48
|collegecaps1 = 103
| goals1 = 5
|collegegoals1 = 44
| nationalyears1 =
|years1 = 2022–
| nationalteam1 =
|clubs1 = [[San Diego Wave FC]]
| nationalcaps1 =
|caps1 = 12 <!-- league only -->
| nationalgoals1 =
|goals1 = 3
|nationalyears1 =
| medaltemplates =
| club-update = November 29, 2024
|nationalteam1 =
| nationalteam-update =
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|medaltemplates =
|club-update = July 25, 2022
|nationalteam-update =
}}
}}
'''Amirah Iman Ali''' (born December 7, 1998) is an American soccer [[Forward (association football)|forward]] and [[Midfielder (association football)|midfielder]] who plays for [[San Diego Wave FC]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]]. She previously played for the [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's soccer]] team.<ref name="JSN">{{Cite news|url=https://www.jerseysportingnews.com/amirah-ali-joins-san-diego-wave/|title=Rutgers Standout Amirah Ali to Join San Diego Wave FC|publisher=Jersey Sporting News|date=January 18, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022|first=Jenna|last=Tonelli}}</ref>


'''Amirah Iman Ali''' (born December 7, 1998) is an American professional [[Association football|soccer]] player who plays as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] or [[Midfielder (association football)|midfielder]] for [[San Diego Wave FC]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]] (NWSL). She played college soccer for the [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's soccer|Rutgers Scarlet Knights]].
== Youth career ==


==Youth career==
Ali, born in Voorhees Twp., raised in [Winslow Township, New Jersey], played youth soccer for the Winslow Tigers, a [[New Jersey]]-based travel team coached by Rich King, father of NWSL player [[Tziarra King]]. Along with 11v11 play Amirah was an exceptional youth soccer player in 3v3 & Futsal soccer formats where she & Tziarra King along with their Winslow Tigers squad share many tournament wins and individual accolades. <ref name="JSN"/><ref name="inquirer">{{cite news |url=https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/amirah-ali-san-diego-wave-alex-morgan-20220618.html |title=Voorhees’ Amirah Ali returns to New Jersey for the first time as a NWSL rookie |date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=July 25, 2022 |publisher=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |first=Jonathan |last=Tannenwald}}</ref> Ali’s later youth years she joined Players Development Academy of the [[Elite Clubs National League]] prior to going to Rutgers University. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecnlgirls.com/2019/11/25/ecnl-alums-lighg-up-power-5-conferences-in-2019/|title=ECNL ALUMS LIGHT UP POWER 5 CONFERENCES IN 2019|publisher=[[Elite Clubs National League]]|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Rutgers">{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/amirah-ali/10561|title=Amirah Ali|publisher=[[Rutgers Scarlet Knights]]|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>
Ali, born in Voorhees Township and raised in [[Winslow Township, New Jersey]], played youth soccer for the Winslow Tigers, a [[New Jersey]]–based travel team coached by Rich King, the father of NWSL player [[Tziarra King]].<ref name="JSN">{{Cite news |url=https://www.jerseysportingnews.com/amirah-ali-joins-san-diego-wave/ |title=Rutgers Standout Amirah Ali to Join San Diego Wave FC |publisher=Jersey Sporting News |date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |first=Jenna |last=Tonelli}}</ref><ref name="inquirer">{{cite news |url=https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/amirah-ali-san-diego-wave-alex-morgan-20220618.html |title=Voorhees' Amirah Ali returns to New Jersey for the first time as a NWSL rookie |date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=July 25, 2022 |publisher=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |first=Jonathan |last=Tannenwald}}</ref> In Ali's later youth years, she joined Players Development Academy of the [[Elite Clubs National League]] prior to going to Rutgers University.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ecnlgirls.com/2019/11/25/ecnl-alums-lighg-up-power-5-conferences-in-2019/ |title=ECNL ALUMS LIGHT UP POWER 5 CONFERENCES IN 2019 |publisher=[[Elite Clubs National League]] |date=November 25, 2019 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Rutgers">{{Cite web |url=https://scarletknights.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/amirah-ali/10561 |title=Amirah Ali |publisher=[[Rutgers Scarlet Knights]] |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>


Ali played high school soccer for [[Eastern Regional High School]] in her high school town of [[Voorhees Township, New Jersey]], where she was named High School Girls' Player of the Year by both the [[National Soccer Coaches Association of America]], the ''[[Courier-Post]]'', and the [[United Soccer Coaches]] organization.<ref name="inquirer"/> She finished her high school career with 99 goals and 51 assists.<ref name="courier-post">{{Cite news|url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/sports/2016/12/08/girls-soccer-ali-repeats-player-year/95103656/|title=GIRLS' SOCCER: Ali repeats as Player of the Year|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=July 7, 2016|publisher=[[Courier-Post]]|first=Jason|last=Kates}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://highschoolsports.nj.com/player/amirah-ali/|title=Amirah Ali|access-date=July 7, 2017|publisher=nj.com}}</ref>
Ali played high school soccer for [[Eastern Regional High School]] in her hometown of [[Voorhees Township, New Jersey]], where she was named High School Girls' Player of the Year by both the [[National Soccer Coaches Association of America]], the ''[[Courier-Post]]'', and the [[United Soccer Coaches]].<ref name="inquirer"/> She finished her high school career with 99 goals and 51 assists.<ref name="courier-post">{{Cite news |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/sports/2016/12/08/girls-soccer-ali-repeats-player-year/95103656/ |title=GIRLS' SOCCER: Ali repeats as Player of the Year |date=December 8, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016 |publisher=[[Courier-Post]] |first=Jason |last=Kates}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://highschoolsports.nj.com/player/amirah-ali/ |title=Amirah Ali |access-date=July 7, 2017 |publisher=nj.com}}</ref>


== College career ==
==College career==
Amirah played for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from 2017 to 2021, primarily as a forward or attacking midfielder. The Scarlet Knights won their first-ever [[Big Ten Conference]] championship in 2021 with Ali on the squad, and she was on the shortlist for the [[MAC Hermann Trophy]] in 2019, 2020, and 2021.<ref name="JSN"/>


[[Portland Thorns FC]] drafted Ali with the 22nd overall pick in the [[2021 NWSL Draft]], despite her decision not to declare for the draft. Thorns coach [[Mark Parsons]] suggested Ali was capable of playing immediately for an NWSL club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2021/1/17/22233353/meet-the-draftees-amirah-ali-rutgers-university-portland-thorns-nwsl-draft-big-ten-madison-pogarch |title=Meet The Draftees: Amirah Ali |date=January 17, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |publisher=Stumptown Footy |first=Grant |last=Little}}</ref> She instead returned to Rutgers to complete her collegiate career, leading Rutgers to the [[2021 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament]] – the program's first appearance since [[2015 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament|2015]] – and the Scarlet Knights finished as semi-finalists.<ref name="JSN"/>
Ali played for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from 2017 to 2021, primarily as a forward or attacking midfielder. The Scarlet Knights won its first-ever [[Big Ten Conference]] championship in 2021 with Ali on the squad, and Ali was on the shortlist for the [[MAC Hermann Trophy]] in 2019, 2020, and 2021.<ref name="JSN"/>


Amirah finished her Rutgers career with 44 goals, 17 of them match-winners, and 19 assists. She scored nine career golden goals, a Rutgers record, and played 6,309 minutes across 103 matches, 102 of them as a starter. Ali finished her career at Rutgers as the program's only four-time all-American.<ref name="Rutgers"/> She was a team captain in 2019, 2020, and 2021.<ref name="Wave">{{Cite web |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/amirah-ali/ |title=Amirah Ali |publisher=[[San Diego Wave FC]] |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>
[[Portland Thorns FC]] drafted Ali with the 22nd-overall pick in the [[2021 NWSL Draft]], despite her decision not to declare for the draft. Portland Thorns FC coach [[Mark Parsons]] suggested Ali was capable of playing immediately for an NWSL club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2021/1/17/22233353/meet-the-draftees-amirah-ali-rutgers-university-portland-thorns-nwsl-draft-big-ten-madison-pogarch|title=Meet The Draftees: Amirah Ali|date=January 17, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2022|publisher=Stumptown Footy|first=Grant|last=Little}}</ref> She instead returned to Rutgers to complete her collegiate career, leading Rutgers to the [[2021 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament]] — the program's first appearance since [[2015 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament|2015]] — and the Scarlet Knights finished as semi-finalists.<ref name="JSN"/>


==Club career==
Ali finished her Rutgers career with 44 goals, 17 of them match-winners, and 19 assists. She scored 9 career golden goals, a Rutgers record, and played 6,309 minutes across 103 matches, 102 of them as a starter. Amirah Ali finished her career at Rutgers Women’s Soccer program as the only female soccer athlete as a Four Time All American. <ref name="Rutgers"/> She was team captain in 2019, 2020, and 2021.<ref name="Wave">{{Cite web|url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/amirah-ali/|title=Amirah Ali|publisher=[[San Diego Wave FC]]|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>
===San Diego Wave FC===
Portland traded the NWSL player rights to Ali, as well as defender [[Christen Westphal]], to San Diego Wave in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money on December 16, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2021/12/portland-thorns-trade-christen-westphal-amirah-ali-to-san-diego-wave-fc-for-allocation-money.html |title=Portland Thorns trade Christen Westphal, Amirah Ali to San Diego Wave FC for allocation money |publisher=[[The Oregonian]] |date=December 16, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |first=Joel |last=Odom}}</ref> Ali scored her first professional goal on April 2, 2022, during the [[2022 NWSL Challenge Cup]] against [[Angel City FC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/04/02/united-states/nwsl-challenge-cup/san-diego-wave/angel-city/3747928/ |title=San Diego Wave vs. Angel City 4-2 |date=April 2, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |publisher=Soccerway}}</ref>


Prior to 2024, Ali re-signed with the Wave for an additional season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=2023-12-07 |title=San Diego Wave FC Re-Signs Forward Amirah Ali |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-re-signs-forward-amirah-ali/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}}</ref> During the [[NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup]], Ali participated in a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] between the Wave and Angel City FC. She was the only player on either team to have their kick saved, resulting in Angel City winning the shootout and advancing to the knockout stage of the competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sporting Tribune |url=https://www.thesportingtribune.com/live/angel-city-san-diego-wave-live-file-august-1 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Sporting Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Angel City FC clinch dramatic qualification and eliminate San Diego Wave on penalties |url=https://mlsmultiplex.com/posts/angel-city-fc-clinch-dramatic-qualification-and-eliminate-san-diego-wave-on-penalties-01j496m5qydn |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=MLS Multiplex |language=en-US}}</ref> On September 14, 2024, Ali scored the opening goal 27 seconds into a 2–1 victory over the [[Utah Royals]]. The goal, Ali's first of the season, became the Wave's fastest-ever goal in club history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=2024-09-15 |title=San Diego Wave Defeats Utah Royals 2-1 at America First Field |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-defeats-utah-royals-2-1-at-america-first-field/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=San Diego Wave Fútbol Club |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sporting Tribune |url=https://www.thesportingtribune.com/2024/09/14/wave-snap-nwsl-12-match-winless-streak-road-victory-against-utah-royals |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Sporting Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
== Club career ==


==International career==
=== San Diego Wave FC ===
Ali played for the [[United States women's national under-19 soccer team|United States under-19 national team]] and was invited to U14, [[United States women's national under-18 soccer team|U18]], and U19 camps.<ref name="Rutgers"/>


== Career statistics ==
Portland Thorns traded NWSL player rights to Ali, as well as signed defender [[Christen Westphal]], to San Diego Wave FC in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money on December 16, 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2021/12/portland-thorns-trade-christen-westphal-amirah-ali-to-san-diego-wave-fc-for-allocation-money.html|title=Portland Thorns trade Christen Westphal, Amirah Ali to San Diego Wave FC for allocation money|publisher=[[The Oregonian]]|date=December 16, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2022|first=Joel|last=Odom}}</ref> She scored her first professional goal on April 2, 2022, during the [[2022 NWSL Challenge Cup]] against [[Angel City FC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/04/02/united-states/nwsl-challenge-cup/san-diego-wave/angel-city/3747928/|title=San Diego Wave vs. Angel City 4-2|date=April 2, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022|publisher=Soccerway}}</ref>


== International career ==
=== Club ===
{{Updated|November 30, 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
! rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season
! colspan="3" |League
! colspan="2" |Cup{{Efn|Includes the [[NWSL Challenge Cup]]}}
! colspan="2" |Playoffs{{Efn|Includes [[NWSL Playoffs]]}}
! colspan="2" |Continental{{Efn|Includes [[CONCACAF W Champions Cup]]}}
! colspan="2" |Other
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[San Diego Wave FC]]
|[[2022 San Diego Wave FC season|2022]]
| rowspan="3" |[[National Women's Soccer League|NWSL]]
|18
|2
|6
|1
|2
|0
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|26
|3
|-
|[[2023 San Diego Wave FC season|2023]]
|16
|2
|4
|0
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|21
|2
|-
|[[2024 San Diego Wave FC season|2024]]
|14
|1
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|3
|1
|3{{Efn|Includes [[NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup]]}}
|1
|21
|3
|-
! colspan="3" |Career total
!48
!5
!11
!1
!3
!0
!3
!1
!3
!1
!68
!8
|}
{{notelist}}


==Honors==
Ali played for the U19 [[United States women's national soccer team]], and was invited to U14, U18, and U19 camps.<ref name="Rutgers"/>
'''San Diego Wave'''

* [[NWSL Shield]]: [[2023 NWSL season|2023]]<ref>{{cite web |title=San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/concacafw/news/san-diego-wave-claim-2023-nwsl-shield/#:~:text=regular%20season%20champions.-,In%20just%20their%20second%20season%20as%20an%20NWSL%20team%2C%20the,the%20semifinals%20of%20the%20Playoffs. |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=CONCACAF |date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
== Honors ==
* [[NWSL Challenge Cup]]: [[2024 NWSL Challenge Cup|2024]]<ref>{{cite web |date=March 16, 2024 |title=San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-defeat-1-0-nj-ny-gotham-fc-in-2024-ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup/}}</ref>

=== Rutgers Scarlet Knights ===


'''Rutgers Scarlet Knights'''
* All-Big Ten Team (third team 2017; first team 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
* All-Big Ten Team (third team 2017; first team 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
* All-American Team (second team 2018; first team 2019, 2020; third team 2021)
* All-American Team (second team 2018; first team 2019, 2020; third team 2021)
Line 72: Line 152:
* MAC Hermann Trophy candidate (2021) and semi-finalist (2020)
* MAC Hermann Trophy candidate (2021) and semi-finalist (2020)


== References ==
==References==

{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{Portal|Association football|Biography|New Jersey|Sports|Women's association football}}

* {{sports links}}
* [https://sandiegowavefc.com/amirah-ali/ San Diego Wave FC profile]
* {{NWSL|amirah-iman-ali|Amirah Ali}}
* [https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/amirah-ali NWSL profile]
* [https://scarletknights.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/amirah-ali/10561 Rutgers profile]
* [https://sandiegowavefc.com/player/amirah-ali/ Amirah Ali #7] at [[San Diego Wave FC]]
* {{Soccerway|815872}}
* {{Instagram|amirah_ali07}}
* {{Instagram|amirah_ali07}}
* {{Twitter|amirahali07}}


{{San Diego Wave FC squad}}
{{San Diego Wave FC squad}}
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[[Category:Eastern Regional High School alumni]]
[[Category:Eastern Regional High School alumni]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Voorhees Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Voorhees Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:African-American women's soccer players"
[[Category:African-American soccer players]]
[[Category:American women's soccer players]]
[[Category:American women's soccer players]]
[[Category:Soccer players from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Camden County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Women's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Women's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Women's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Women's association football forwards]]
Line 101: Line 178:
[[Category:San Diego Wave FC players]]
[[Category:San Diego Wave FC players]]
[[Category:Portland Thorns FC draft picks]]
[[Category:Portland Thorns FC draft picks]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportswomen]]

Latest revision as of 07:10, 14 December 2024

Amirah Ali
Ali with the San Diego Wave in 2022
Personal information
Full name Amirah Iman Ali[1]
Date of birth (1998-12-07) December 7, 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Voorhees Township, New Jersey
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Forward, Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 San Diego Wave
Number 7
Youth career
Winslow Tigers
Players Development Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 Rutgers Scarlet Knights 103 (44)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– San Diego Wave 48 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 29, 2024

Amirah Iman Ali (born December 7, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward or midfielder for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Youth career

[edit]

Ali, born in Voorhees Township and raised in Winslow Township, New Jersey, played youth soccer for the Winslow Tigers, a New Jersey–based travel team coached by Rich King, the father of NWSL player Tziarra King.[2][3] In Ali's later youth years, she joined Players Development Academy of the Elite Clubs National League prior to going to Rutgers University.[4][5]

Ali played high school soccer for Eastern Regional High School in her hometown of Voorhees Township, New Jersey, where she was named High School Girls' Player of the Year by both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, the Courier-Post, and the United Soccer Coaches.[3] She finished her high school career with 99 goals and 51 assists.[6][7]

College career

[edit]

Amirah played for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from 2017 to 2021, primarily as a forward or attacking midfielder. The Scarlet Knights won their first-ever Big Ten Conference championship in 2021 with Ali on the squad, and she was on the shortlist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2019, 2020, and 2021.[2]

Portland Thorns FC drafted Ali with the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, despite her decision not to declare for the draft. Thorns coach Mark Parsons suggested Ali was capable of playing immediately for an NWSL club.[8] She instead returned to Rutgers to complete her collegiate career, leading Rutgers to the 2021 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament – the program's first appearance since 2015 – and the Scarlet Knights finished as semi-finalists.[2]

Amirah finished her Rutgers career with 44 goals, 17 of them match-winners, and 19 assists. She scored nine career golden goals, a Rutgers record, and played 6,309 minutes across 103 matches, 102 of them as a starter. Ali finished her career at Rutgers as the program's only four-time all-American.[5] She was a team captain in 2019, 2020, and 2021.[9]

Club career

[edit]

San Diego Wave FC

[edit]

Portland traded the NWSL player rights to Ali, as well as defender Christen Westphal, to San Diego Wave in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money on December 16, 2021.[10] Ali scored her first professional goal on April 2, 2022, during the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup against Angel City FC.[11]

Prior to 2024, Ali re-signed with the Wave for an additional season.[12] During the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, Ali participated in a penalty shootout between the Wave and Angel City FC. She was the only player on either team to have their kick saved, resulting in Angel City winning the shootout and advancing to the knockout stage of the competition.[13][14] On September 14, 2024, Ali scored the opening goal 27 seconds into a 2–1 victory over the Utah Royals. The goal, Ali's first of the season, became the Wave's fastest-ever goal in club history.[15][16]

International career

[edit]

Ali played for the United States under-19 national team and was invited to U14, U18, and U19 camps.[5]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of November 30, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Playoffs[b] Continental[c] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
San Diego Wave FC 2022 NWSL 18 2 6 1 2 0 — — 26 3
2023 16 2 4 0 1 0 — — 21 2
2024 14 1 1 0 — 3 1 3[d] 1 21 3
Career total 48 5 11 1 3 0 3 1 3 1 68 8
  1. ^ Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Includes NWSL Playoffs
  3. ^ Includes CONCACAF W Champions Cup
  4. ^ Includes NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

Honors

[edit]

San Diego Wave

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

  • All-Big Ten Team (third team 2017; first team 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
  • All-American Team (second team 2018; first team 2019, 2020; third team 2021)
  • NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team (2021)
  • MAC Hermann Trophy candidate (2021) and semi-finalist (2020)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dowd, Kristen (June 26, 2017). "Eastern Regional High School Class of 2017". The Berlin (N.J.) Sun. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Tonelli, Jenna (January 18, 2022). "Rutgers Standout Amirah Ali to Join San Diego Wave FC". Jersey Sporting News. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Tannenwald, Jonathan (June 18, 2022). "Voorhees' Amirah Ali returns to New Jersey for the first time as a NWSL rookie". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "ECNL ALUMS LIGHT UP POWER 5 CONFERENCES IN 2019". Elite Clubs National League. November 25, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Amirah Ali". Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  6. ^ Kates, Jason (December 8, 2016). "GIRLS' SOCCER: Ali repeats as Player of the Year". Courier-Post. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  7. ^ "Amirah Ali". nj.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  8. ^ Little, Grant (January 17, 2021). "Meet The Draftees: Amirah Ali". Stumptown Footy. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  9. ^ "Amirah Ali". San Diego Wave FC. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Odom, Joel (December 16, 2021). "Portland Thorns trade Christen Westphal, Amirah Ali to San Diego Wave FC for allocation money". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "San Diego Wave vs. Angel City 4-2". Soccerway. April 2, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  12. ^ Emerick, Tyler (December 7, 2023). "San Diego Wave FC Re-Signs Forward Amirah Ali". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  13. ^ "The Sporting Tribune". The Sporting Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  14. ^ "Angel City FC clinch dramatic qualification and eliminate San Diego Wave on penalties". MLS Multiplex. August 2, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  15. ^ Emerick, Tyler (September 15, 2024). "San Diego Wave Defeats Utah Royals 2-1 at America First Field". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  16. ^ "The Sporting Tribune". The Sporting Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield". CONCACAF. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  18. ^ "San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup". March 16, 2024.
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