Jaelene Daniels Explained
Jaelene McKenzie Daniels (; born May 28, 1993) is an American professional soccer defender.
Early life
Daniels attended Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado (a suburb of Denver) where she played soccer and basketball.[2] In 2009, she was awarded the league's Player of the Year and was named to the all-conference team, first team all-state and All-Colorado team by The Denver Post. During her senior year in 2010, she was the league's top scorer and named to the all-conference team, first team all-state and All-Colorado team by the newspaper for the second consecutive year. The same year, she received Parade All-American honors.[3]
Daniels played club soccer for Real Colorado for four years and captained the team during the 2010–11 season. She helped the team win the state championship in 2007. She was a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) team that advanced to the regional championship in 2006.
Club career
Western New York Flash, 2015–2016
Daniels was selected seventh overall during the 2015 NWSL College Draft by the Western New York Flash.[4] [5] During her first season with the team, she started in all 20 matches[6] and scored a goal while playing in the defender position.[7] The Flash finished in seventh place during the regular season with a record.[8]
Daniels played in 15 games and scored one goal during the 2016 NWSL season. She was in the starting lineup for the Flash in their semi-final game against the Portland Thorns. Western New York secured an upset victory over the Shield winners.[9] Daniels was once again in the starting lineup for the Championship Game. The game went to penalties, she converted her penalty, helping the Flash win the 2016 NWSL Championship.[10]
North Carolina Courage, 2017–2020
In January 2017, the Flash were sold and relocated to North Carolina and re-branded as the North Carolina Courage.[11] Daniels started in 22 games for the Courage in 2017. North Carolina won the 2017 NWSL Shield, but lost in the NWSL Championship game 1–0 to Portland.
Daniels was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for March and April 2018.[12] She was an important part of North Carolina's backline which broke the record for fewest goals conceded, and won the NWSL Shield for the second straight year.[13] She played every minute of North Carolina's play-offs games, as the Courage won the 2018 NWSL Championship.[14] Following the Courage's 2019 NWSL Championship season, Daniels and teammate Abby Erceg were nominated for NWSL Defender of the Year.[15]
On November 4, 2020, Daniels announced her retirement from soccer.[16]
Return from retirement
On December 19, 2021, North Carolina Courage announced they have signed Daniels on a one-year deal, with an additional one-year option, marking her return from retirement.[17] The signing was widely scrutinized at the time, leading the Courage to release a statement defending it.[18]
On October 17, 2022, the Courage announced that they had declined their contract option on Daniels for the 2023 season, making her a free agent.[19] [20]
International career
In October 2015, Daniels was called into camp for the senior national team in preparation for games against Brazil during the team's victory tour following their win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.[21] She earned her first cap with the national team during a friendly match against Brazil in Seattle on October 21 which resulted in a 1–1 tie.[22]
In 2016 Daniels was named to the roster for the 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship, she appeared in three games for the U.S., as they won the tournament and qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics.[23] She was also called up for the 2016 SheBelieves Cup but did not appear in any games. The U.S. won the inaugural edition of the SheBelieves Cup.[24]
In June 2017, Daniels was called into camp for international friendlies against Sweden and Norway but did not attend, citing "personal reasons."[25]
In a May 2018 interview with The 700 Club, Daniels revealed that she withdrew from the team for the June 2017 friendlies because she did not want to wear the US Soccer jerseys honoring LGBT Pride Month, saying "I just felt so convicted in my spirit that it wasn't my job to wear this jersey."[26] [27]
In July 2018, Daniels received a call-up to the USWNT training camp for the 2018 Tournament of Nations, which marked her first call-up to the national team since withdrawing from camp in 2017.[28] She was not named to the Tournament of Nations final roster.[29] Daniels has failed to receive consistent call ups to the national team since then.
Personal life
Daniels has spoken publicly about her Christian faith and views.[30] [31] [32]
On June 26, 2015, after same-sex marriage in the United States was established in all 50 states, Daniels tweeted "This world is falling farther and farther away from God... All that can be done by believers is to continue to pray."[33] In May 2018, shortly after she revealed her decision to not wear the U.S. team jersey honoring LGBT Pride Month, Daniels was booed several times by some Portland Thorns supporters during an NWSL match with the Courage.[34] [35] On July 29, 2022, she declined to play in the Courage's "Pride Night" match that night against the Washington Spirit, after a spokesperson confirmed she refused to wear the club's Pride flag-themed jersey. The club noted "While we're disappointed with her choice, we respect her right to make that decision for herself".
She is married to Matthew Daniels.[36] Formerly known as Jaelene Hinkle, Daniels began using her married name in 2020.[37] She gave birth to a daughter, Zoe, in August 2021.[36] [38]
Honors
Western New York Flash
2016
North Carolina Courage
2018, 2019
2017, 2018, 2019
External links
Notes and References
- Candidates for Undergraduate Degrees – College of Human Sciences: Bachelor of Science, Human Sciences . The Commencement . . 31 . December 2014 . November 24, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222103225/https://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/commencement_program_1214.pdf . December 22, 2018.
- Web site: Jaelene Hinkle . Texas Tech University . October 18, 2015 . September 6, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906001234/http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/jaelene_hinkle_762396.html . live.
- Web site: Three Colorado girls named Parade soccer All-Americans . The Denver Post . October 18, 2015 . June 7, 2010.
- Web site: Hays . Graham . NWSL DRAFT: 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW . ESPN . October 18, 2015 . January 16, 2015 . October 25, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151025211644/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12179892/5-things-need-know . live.
- Web site: WNY Flash adds six players at NWSL College Draft . The Buffalo News . October 18, 2015 . January 16, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161003190146/http://sportsink.buffalonews.com/2015/01/16/wny-flash-adds-six-players-nwsl-college-draft/ . October 3, 2016 . dead . mdy-all.
- Web site: DiVeronica . Jeff . WNY Flash announce team awards; Becky Edwards wins MVP . Democrat and Chronicle . October 18, 2015 . September 18, 2015.
- Web site: Jaelene Hinkle . Soccer Way . October 18, 2015.
- Web site: Flash win finale over Alex Morgan, Portland . Democrat and Chronicle . October 18, 2015 . September 4, 2015 . September 5, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905060226/http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/09/04/flash-win-finale-alex-morgan-portland/71736066/ . live.
- Web site: Flash beat Thorns FC, 4-3, in extra time . September 24, 2018 . October 2, 2016 . September 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235336/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/portland-thorns-vs-western-new-york-flash-2016-10-02#line-up . live.
- Web site: Western New York Flash win 2016 NWSL Championship . September 24, 2018 . October 9, 2016 . September 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033332/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/washington-spirit-vs-western-new-york-flash-2016-10-09#boxscore . live.
- Web site: NWSL champion WNY Flash to relocate to North Carolina . January 6, 2017 . June 3, 2018 . July 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180716025443/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/nwsl-franchise-sale-relcoation-wny-flash-carolina-western-new-york-north-railhawks . live.
- Web site: FOUR NC COURAGE PLAYERS NAMED TO NWSL TEAM OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL . July 18, 2018 . May 3, 2018 . June 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180624123723/https://www.nccourage.com/news_article/show/914247 . live.
- Web site: NC COURAGE FACES NWSL SEMIFINAL TEST AGAINST CHICAGO RED STARS TUESDAY IN PORTLAND . https://web.archive.org/web/20180924224758/https://www.nccourage.com/news_article/show/950782 . dead . September 24, 2018 . September 24, 2018 . September 17, 2018.
- Web site: Courage cap off record-setting season with NWSL Championship win . September 24, 2018 . September 22, 2018 . February 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190201213659/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/north-carolina-courage-vs-portland-thorns-2018-09-22 . live.
- News: Levine . Matthew . Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn named 2019 NWSL Defender of the Year . October 30, 2019 . National Women's Soccer League. October 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191030221928/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/utah-royals-fc-defender-becky-sauerbrunn-named-2019-nwsl-defender-of-the-year.
- News: North Carolina Courage defender Jaelene Daniels retires from pro soccer . Soccer Wire . November 4, 2020 . November 4, 2020 . November 4, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201104155927/https://www.soccerwire.com/news/north-carolina-courage-defender-jaelene-daniels-retires-from-pro-soccer/ . live.
- Web site: Jaelene Daniels Returns to NC Courage . North Carolina Courage . 20 December 2021 . December 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211220012539/https://www.nccourage.com/news_article/show/1199622 . live.
- Web site: NWSL's Courage sorry over re-signing Jaelene Daniels, who refused to wear USWNT gay pride jersey . Murray . Caitlin . December 23, 2021 . July 29, 2022 . ESPN . en.
- Web site: Yanchulis . Kate . Courage waive Jaelene Daniels after controversial return to NWSL . Just Women's Sports . 17 February 2023 . 17 October 2022.
- TheNCCourage . 1582023644963692544 . [ROSTER MOVE]
The Courage have declined a team option on defender Jaelene Daniels for the 2023 season, making her an unrestricted free agent.
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- Web site: Ellis calls 31 for U.S. matches against Brazil . Goal.com . October 18, 2015 . October 16, 2015.
- Web site: Lloyd's late equalizer preserves U.S. home undefeated streak . https://web.archive.org/web/20151024001430/http://www.sounderatheart.com/2015/10/21/9591484/lloyd-s-late-equalizer-preserves-u-s-home-undefeated-streak . dead . October 24, 2015 . Sounder at Heart . October 22, 2015 . October 21, 2015.
- Web site: 2016 CONCACAF WOMEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING CHAMPIONSHIP . September 24, 2018 . September 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180924224911/https://www.ussoccer.com/womens-national-team/tournaments/2016-concacaf-womens-olympic-qualifying-championship#tab-1 . live.
- Web site: J. HINKLE . September 24, 2018 . September 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180925025329/https://us.soccerway.com/players/jaelene-hinkle/116199/ . live.
- Web site: OFFICIAL: Jaelene Hinkle not with #USWNT in Europe due to personal reasons. Roster is at 19 . Lauletta . Dan . 2017-06-06 . @TheDanLauletta . 2017-06-06.
- Web site: Citing her faith, Jaelene Hinkle admits she withdrew from US Soccer team over LGBTQ pride jerseys . May 31, 2018 . May 31, 2018 . May 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180531024348/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2018/05/jaelene_hinkle_says_she_withdr.html . live.
- News: Jaelene Hinkle: Defender refused to play for US because of LGBT shirt . BBC Sport . June 1, 2018 . June 1, 2018 . June 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180601121211/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44315031 . live.
- Web site: Hinkle returns to USWNT for Tournament of Nations . July 18, 2018 . July 18, 2018.
- Web site: ELLIS NAMES FINAL USA ROSTER FOR 2018 TOURNAMENT OF NATIONS . July 23, 2018 . July 23, 2018 . July 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180724002310/https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/07/23/17/17/20180723-news-wnt-jill-ellis-names-final-usa-roster-for-2018-tournament-of-nations . live.
- Web site: Is Christian US soccer player boycotting team over these jerseys? . June 6, 2017 . New York Post . May 22, 2018 . May 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180523172550/https://nypost.com/2017/06/06/is-christian-us-soccer-player-boycotting-team-over-these-jerseys/ . live.
- Web site: Christian Soccer Player Jaelene Hinkle Withdraws From Friendlies as US Team Is Set to Wear Gay Pride Jerseys . June 7, 2017 . The Christian Post . May 22, 2018 . May 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180523100225/https://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-soccer-player-jaelene-hinkle-withdraws-from-friendlies-as-us-team-is-set-to-wear-gay-pride-jerseys-186852/ . live.
- Web site: Defending Faith: Soccer Player Jaelene Hinkle Puts God First . https://web.archive.org/web/20180523102511/https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/october-2017/defending-faith-soccer-player-jaelene-hinkle-puts-god-first/ . dead . May 23, 2018 . Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
- Jaelene Hinkle . JaeHinkle_15 . 614516080292298752 . This world is falling farther and farther away from God... All that can be done by believers is to continue to pray. . June 26, 2015.
- Web site: Jaelene Hinkle said no to USWNT Pride Month call-up because of faith . ESPN . May 31, 2018.
- Web site: Soccer player hears boos over her past LGBTQ protest . May 31, 2018 . New York Post . July 1, 2019 . July 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190701081112/https://nypost.com/2018/05/31/soccer-player-hears-boos-over-her-past-lgbtq-protest/ . live.
- Web site: The Courage to Change . Hartman . Matt . The Assembly NC . June 30, 2022 . July 29, 2022 . en . July 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220729135207/https://www.theassemblync.com/long-form/nc-courage-womens-soccer/ . dead.
- News: Brown . Morgan . NC COURAGE INKS CONTRACTS WITH KEY DEFENDERS IN ERCEG AND DANIELS . 4 March 2020 . NC Courage . 4 March 2020.
- NC Courage Player Declines to Play in Team's Pride Night Game . Jackson . Wilton . Sports Illustrated . July 29, 2022 . July 29, 2022 . en.