Brooklyn Courtnall


Brooklyn Jean Courtnall is a Canadian-American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League. Born in the United States, she has represented [Canada women's national under-20 association football|soccer team|Canada] at the youth international level. She played college soccer for the USC Trojans, earning first-team All-American honors in 2024.

Early life

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Courtnall began playing soccer with an AYSO team at age five and also grew up running track. She attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, which she helped lead to the state track championship in 2019. She played one season of high school soccer and played DA club soccer for Real So Cal. She initially committed to the University of California, Los Angeles, in the footsteps of her older sister, Ally, before switching to the University of Southern California.

College career

Courtnall was a four-year starter for the USC Trojans from 2021 to 2024, making 78 appearances on the back line. She missed time with USC only once, when she represented Canada at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She earned All-Pac-12 third-team honors each of her first three seasons. A team captain in her senior season in 2024, she contributed to 11 clean sheets in 23 games and led USC to the Big Ten Conference regular-season title and the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. She was named first-team All-Big Ten and first-team All-American after her senior season.

Club career

North Carolina Courage

The North Carolina Courage announced on December 19, 2024, that the club had signed Courtnall to a three-year contract. She was the Courage's first college signing since the abolition of the NWSL Draft. She made her professional debut on March 29 as a late substitute for forward Hannah Betfort in a 0–0 draw against the Portland Thorns. In July, she scored her first professional goal in a 4–0 friendly win against Guadalajara.

Bay FC

On August 28, 2025, Courtnall joined fellow NWSL club Bay FC on loan for the remainder of the season. She made her first NWSL start on September 21 in a 1–1 draw against Gotham FC, forming an immediate pairing with fellow Canadian center back Sydney Collins also recently acquired from the Courage. On December 11, Bay made the loan permanent in exchange for in intraleague transfer funds.
On January 6, 2026, Courtnall re-signed with Bay on a new three-year contract.

International career

Courtnall received her first call-up to Canada's youth national program at age 19 in 2022. She appeared in all 7 games and scored 2 goals at the 2022 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship as Canada came away with the bronze medal. She appeared in all 3 games at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Personal life

Courtnall's father, Russ, played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League. Her mother, Paris Vaughan, is an actress who was the adopted daughter of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan. Courtnall's sister, Ally, is a model and former UCLA two-sport athlete in soccer and track, and her brother, Lawton, played college ice hockey at Western Michigan. Her uncle, Geoff Courtnall, also played in the NHL.

Honors and awards

USC Trojans
Individual