Angela Beard
Angela Rachael Lopez Beard is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Damallsvenskan club AIK and the Philippines national team.
She has previously played for Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, and Western United in the Australian A-League Women, for KR in the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild kvenna, and for Fortuna Hjørring in the Danish Women's League.
Born in Australia, she has initially represented their U-17 and U-20 youth level teams as well as the senior level three times, before switching her allegiance to the Philippines.
Club career
Brisbane Roar
Beard made her debut for Brisbane Roar on 14 September 2014 in a match against Perth Glory. She made five appearances for the team during the 2014–15 W-League season. The Roar finished in sixth place during the regular season with a record.Returning to the Roar for the 2015–16 W-League season, Beard helped the team finish in fourth place during the regular season securing a berth to the playoffs. During a match against Melbourne Victory on 9 January, Beard scored a goal in the third minute of stoppage time lifting the final score to 4–0. During the semifinal match against regular season champions Melbourne City, the Roar was defeated 5–4 in a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of regular and overtime produced no goals for either side.
Beard was named the November 2015 nominee for the 2015/16 W-League Young Footballer of the Year award. Of the nomination, she said, "This is only my second season in the Westfield W-League and I feel very privileged to be recognised at this early stage of my career." Following her performance in the 2016 W-League semifinal against Melbourne City, team captain and Matilda Clare Polkinghorne said, "she's got a really bright career ahead of her. She's only 18 years old, she's going to be a real force in Australian football." She was later named the Women's Player of the Year by the club.
Melbourne Victory
On 19 September 2017, Beard joined Melbourne Victory on a one-year deal, re-joining coach Jeff Hopkins. Beard has since re-signed for Melbourne Victory on a two-year deal.Fortuna Hjørring
In June 2021, Beard sealed a move to Danish club Fortuna Hjørring, joining Australians Indiah-Paige Riley, Alexandra Huynh, and Clare Wheeler.Western United
In January 2023, Beard returned to Australia joining A-League Women expansion club Western United on a two-year deal.Linköping
In August 2023, Beard went overseas again, joining Swedish club Linköping.International career
Australia
Beard has represented Australia on the under-17 and under-20 national teams. In January 2016, she was called up to training camp for the senior national team. In September 2021, Beard made her senior debut in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland.Philippines
Beard is eligible to represent the Philippines through her mother, who is from Cebu. On 2 October 2022, Beard was invited to the training camp of the Philippines prior to the team's friendlies against Costa Rica. In June 2023, Beard was named in the 29-player provisional squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. She scored her first goal for the Philippines in a friendly against South Korea in 8 April 2024 which ended in a 1–2 defeat for her team.Career statistics
International
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |
| 1 | 8 April 2024 | Icheon City Stadium, Icheon, South Korea | 1–2 | 1–2 | Friendly |
Personal life
Beard was born in Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia, to an Australian father and a Filipina mother from Cebu, Philippines.Beard is a part of the LGBTQ community and has spoken about struggling on dealing with her sexuality in her high school years.
Honours
Brisbane Roar- Westfield W-League, NAB Young Footballer of the Year nominee: 2015/16
- Player of the Year 2015/16
- Player's Player 2015/16
Fortuna Hjørring
- Danish Women's League runner-up: 2021–22
- Danish Women's Cup: 2022
- A-League Women Championship runner-up: 2022–23