Aubrey Kingsbury Explained

Aubrey Kingsbury
Full Name:Aubrey Renee Kingsbury
Birth Name:Aubrey Renee Bledsoe
Birth Date:20 November 1991
Birth Place:Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Height:5 ft 9 in
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Washington Spirit
Clubnumber:1
Youthclubs1:Kings Soccer Academy
Youthclubs2:St. Ursula Academy
Collegeyears1:2010–2013
College1:Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Years1:2014
Clubs1:Los Angeles Blues
Goals1:0
Years2:2014
Clubs2:IK Grand Bodø
Caps2:11
Goals2:0
Years3:2015
Clubs3:Sky Blue FC
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2015–2016
Clubs4:Fortuna Hjørring (loan)
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:Orlando Pride
Caps5:12
Goals5:0
Years6:2017–2018
Clubs6:Sydney FC (loan)
Caps6:23
Goals6:0
Years7:2018–
Clubs7:Washington Spirit
Caps7:67
Goals7:0
Years8:2019–2020
Clubs8:Sydney FC (loan)
Caps8:14
Goals8:0
Nationalyears1:2014
Nationalteam1:United States U-23
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2022–
Nationalteam2:United States
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalteam-Update:December 5, 2023
Pcupdate:31 October 2021

Aubrey Renee Kingsbury (; born November 20, 1991) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team. During her time with the Spirit, she was voted NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019 and 2021 and won the NWSL Championship in 2021.

Early life

Kingsbury was born in Cincinnati to Paul and Char Bledsoe. She attended Merwin Elementary, Amelia Middle School, and then St. Ursula Academy where she was a member of the state championship soccer team in 2007 and 2008.

Kingsbury graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in health and exercise science and minors in chemistry and biology. She started all her games during her four seasons with the Demon Deacons and was named co-captain during her senior year. She holds the Wake Forest career record for shutouts (33), goals against average (0.91), games played and started (94), and minutes played in goal (8,692). She is also one of three Demon Deacons to be named an All-American three times, earning third-team honors from the NSCAA in 2011 and 2012 and second-team honors in 2013.[1]

Club career

Los Angeles Blues, 2014

In January 2014, Kingsbury signed for USL W-League side, Los Angeles Blues (previously known as "Pali Blues") in preparation for exploring opportunities in Europe.[2]

IK Grand Bodø, 2014

After her stint in LA, Kingsbury secured a move to Norway to play for Toppserien club, IK Grand Bodø.[3] She made 11 appearances for Bodø.

Sky Blue, 2015

In October 2014, Kingsbury signed with Sky Blue FC as a discovery player.[4] The 2015 season, Kingsbury backed up starting keeper, Brittany Cameron, limiting her to just a single appearance for Sky Blue.[5]

Fortuna Hjørring, 2015–2016

At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Kingsbury secured an off-season loan to Danish club Fortuna Hjørring of the Elitedivisionen along with teammate Nadia Nadim.[6] Competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League, Kingsbury made 4 appearances (2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), earning two clean sheets.[7]

Orlando Pride, 2016–2017

On November 2, 2015, Kingsbury was selected by Orlando Pride as their 10th pick in the NWSL expansion draft. She joined the Pride at the conclusion of her loan spell at Fortuna.[5] Deputising for Ashlyn Harris, Kingsbury made a single appearance during the 2016 season. When Harris got injured during the 2017 season, Kingsbury made a string of starts for the Pride, registering 11 appearances, earning 5 wins and 2 clean sheets.[7] [8]

Sydney FC (loan)

On November 28, 2017, Kingsbury joined Sydney FC for the remainder of the 2017–18 W-League.

Washington Spirit, 2018–present

In January 2018, Orlando traded Kingsbury and a 2019 first round draft pick to Washington Spirit in exchange for Canadian national defender, Shelina Zadorsky.[9] On June 19, 2018, Kingsbury was named Player of the Week by the NWSL Media Association for Weeks 11 and 12. Kingsbury led the Spirit to back-to-back shutouts, and saved a Megan Rapinoe penalty kick during those weeks.[10] She went on to break the NWSL league leading save record, surpassing the previous record held by Alyssa Naeher.[11] She was one of three nominees for NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2018 season.[12]

Kingsbury re-signed for the Washington Spirit's 2019 season in September 2018. In Week 4 of the 2019 NWSL season Kingsbury won both NWSL Player and Save of the Week. She led the NWSL with 86 saves and was voted the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2019 season.[13]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NWSL organized a closed-door NWSL Challenge Cup in the summer, which was followed by the NWSL Fall Series. Kingsbury started in all five of the Spirit's games during the Challenge Cup.[14] During the quarterfinals, the Spirit played to a scoreless draw against Sky Blue FC. In the ensuing penalty kick shootout, Kingsbury made a save against Domi Richardson, but ultimately the Spirit only converted three of their five penalty kicks and the team fell to Sky Blue.[15] Kingsbury played every minute of the Spirit's four games in NWSL Fall Series. Against 16 total shots, she made 12 saves and conceded 4 goals.[16] In the 87th of Washington's game against the Chicago Red Stars, Kingsbury, on the ground, kicked Dani Rhodes' rebound away to prevent Chicago from the taking the lead. Washington ultimately won the game thanks to Jessie Scarpa's 92nd-minute goal.[17] Additionally, Kingsbury led the Spirit to a clean sheet against Sky Blue.[18]

Kingsbury was voted Goalkeeper of the Year for a second time following the 2021 season.[19]

Sydney FC (loan)

In September 2018, Kingsbury re-signed for the 2018–19 W-League season where she helped Sydney reach its second straight Grand Final.[20] [21] Kingsbury and Sydney FC won the 2019 Grand Final. She was subsequently named the 2018–19 W-League Goalkeeper of the Year.[22]

International career

Kingsbury received her first senior call-up to the United States national team on October 31, 2019.[23] In November 2020, Kingsbury was named to the national team's training camp roster ahead of its November 27 game against the Netherlands.[24] Andonovski also named Kingsbury to the senior team roster ahead of their matches on January 18, 2021, and January 22, 2021.[25]

On January 12, 2022, Kingsbury was named in the national team camp for January ahead of the 2022 SheBelieves Cup in February.

Personal life

Kingsbury is a Christian.[26] Her twin sister, Amber Bledsoe, is also a goalkeeper who attended Brown University.[4] In December 2021, she married Matt Kingsbury and began playing under her married name in January 2022.[27]

Career statistics

International

National Team Year Apps Goals
United States20221 0
20231 0
Total 2 0

Honors

Sydney FC

Washington Spirit

2021[28] United States

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe Bio . Wake Forest Sports . October 6, 2015 . August 31, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160831120652/http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/aubrey_bledsoe_691305.html . dead.
  2. Web site: Stengel, Bledsoe land in USL W-League with Blues . The Equalizer . Jeff Kassouf . January 29, 2014 . January 23, 2018.
  3. Web site: Grand secured the US keeper . www.an.no . Anders Bergundhaugen . no . June 18, 2014 . January 23, 2018.
  4. Web site: Sky Blue FC signs goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe . Sky Blue FC . August 9, 2014 . August 4, 2015 . June 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170610195415/http://www.skybluefc.com/sky-blue-fc-signs-goalkeeper-aubrey-bledsoe/ . dead.
  5. Web site: Orlando Pride complete NWSL expansion draft . The Equalizer . Dan Lauletta . November 2, 2015 . January 23, 2018.
  6. Web site: Sky Blue FC loans Nadim, Bledsoe to Danish Club Fortuna Hjørring . Sky Blue FC . September 10, 2015 . October 6, 2015 . August 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035947/http://www.skybluefc.com/sky-blue-fc-loans-nadim-bledsoe-to-danish-club-fortuna-hjorring/ . dead.
  7. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe . Soccerway . January 23, 2018.
  8. Web site: Orlando Pride goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe making most of long-awaited starts . Orlando Sentinel . Christian Simmons . June 23, 2017 . January 23, 2018 . August 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180816055810/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-pride-soccer/os-sp-orlando-pride-aubrey-bledsoe-0624-story.html . dead.
  9. Web site: Washington Spirit acquires goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, 2019 1st round pick from Orlando Pride . washingtonspirit.com . January 23, 2018 . January 23, 2018.
  10. Web site: Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe voted NWSL Player of the Week . June 25, 2018 . June 19, 2018.
  11. Web site: Bledsoe breaks NWSL save record . July 7, 2023.
  12. News: Adrianna Franch repeats as NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year. September 27, 2018. The Equalizer. 2024-06-27.
  13. News: Aubrey Bledsoe named 2019 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year. Anderson. Jason. 2019-11-01. Black and Red United. SB Nation. 2024-06-27.
  14. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe 2020 Challenge Cup stats . NWSL Soccer.
  15. Web site: Penalty kick heartbreak for Washington Spirit after NWSL Challenge Cup elimination at the hands of Sky Blue FC . Anderson . Jason . Black and Red United . SB Nation . July 28, 2020 . February 28, 2021.
  16. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe 2020 Fall Series stats . NWSL Soccer.
  17. Web site: Late drama goes Washington Spirit's way this time in 2-1 win over Chicago Red Stars . Anderson . Jason . Black and Red United . SB Nation . September 12, 2020 . February 28, 2021.
  18. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe 2020 Fall Series stats . NWSL Soccer.
  19. News: Aubrey Bledsoe Wins 2021 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year. 2021-11-19. Hruby. Emma. Just Women's Sports. 2024-06-27.
  20. Web site: Sydney FC Sign Talented NWSL Goalkeeper . . November 28, 2017.
  21. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe, Sydney FC reach 2nd straight W-League Grand Final . . February 10, 2019.
  22. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe wins W-League goalkeeper of the year . Washington Spirit . May 13, 2019 . February 28, 2021.
  23. News: VLATKO ANDONOVSKI NAMES 24-PLAYER TRAINING CAMP ROSTER FOR FRIENDLIES AGAINST SWEDEN AND COSTA RICA . 31 October 2019 . US Soccer . 31 October 2019.
  24. Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe, Ashley Hatch represent Washington Spirit on latest USWNT roster . SB Nation . November 17, 2020 . February 28, 2021.
  25. Web site: USWNT roster: Megan Rapinoe returns to squad in Vladko Andonovski's January camp alongside NWSL mainstays . 2021-01-06 . CBSSports.com . January 6, 2021 . en.
  26. Web site: Five Increase Questions with Aubrey Bledsoe . The Increase . 5 March 2020 . October 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211018180253/https://theincrease.com/five-increase-questions-with-aubrey-bledsoe/ . dead.
  27. U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM WILL HOLD ANNUAL JANUARY TRAINING CAMP IN AUSTIN, TEXAS . January 12, 2022 . U.S. Soccer . January 12, 2022.
  28. News: Washington Spirit defeats Chicago Red Stars to win first National Women's Soccer League title . en-US . Washington Post . 2023-04-17 . 0190-8286.
  29. News: Das . Andrew . July 19, 2022 . U.S. Women Beat Canada to Claim Spot in Paris Olympics . The New York Times .
  30. Web site: U.S. Women's National Team Defeats Iceland 5-0 to Win Third Consecutive and Fifth Overall SheBelieves Cup Title, Presented by Visa . U.S. Soccer . February 23, 2022.
  31. Web site: Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe named 2019 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year . Matthew . Levine . Nwslsoccer.com . November 1, 2019 . November 1, 2019.
  32. News: 2019 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced . October 24, 2019 . October 24, 2019.
  33. Web site: Week 4 Player of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe . NWSL . May 7, 2019.
  34. Web site: Week 7 Player of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe . NWSL . May 29, 2019.
  35. Web site: May Team of the Month . NWSLsoccer . NWSL . May 31, 2019 . May 31, 2019.
  36. Web site: June Team of the Month . NWSLsoccer . NWSL . July 8, 2019 . July 8, 2019.
  37. Web site: August Team of the Month . NWSLsoccer . NWSL . September 5, 2019 . September 5, 2019.