Erin McKinney


Erin McKinney is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper. She played college soccer for the Akron Zips and the Wisconsin Badgers.

Early life

McKinney was raised in Belvidere, Illinois, one of two children born to Marc and Lara McKinney. She started playing club soccer with Raptors, later playing for Campton United. She lettered in three years of prep soccer at Belvidere North High School, being named the Rock River Valley Player of the Year after her junior season. She committed to play college soccer at the University of Akron.

College career

Akron Zips

McKinney started all but two games for the Akron Zips in her freshman season in 2018, making 101 saves but keeping only 3 clean sheets in 18 games.

Wisconsin Badgers

She transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2019, redshirting her first season with the Wisconsin Badgers. She went without playing for two further seasons, as a backup to two-time Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Jordyn Bloomer, and underwent surgery for a knee issue. She took over the starting position for the Badgers in the 2022 season, starting all 19 games and keeping 7 clean sheets, as Wisconsin finished third in the Big Ten. In her graduate season in 2023, she again started all 22 games and kept 10 clean sheets, helping Wisconsin reach the Big Ten title game and return to the NCAA tournament, where they made the second round.

Club career

McKinney was not selected in the 2024 NWSL Draft but was invited to train as a non-roster player with the Chicago Red Stars in the 2024 preseason. In March 2024, NJ/NY Gotham FC announced McKinney's signing as an injury replacement player. Gotham FC released her the following month when they acquired Ann-Katrin Berger from Chelsea.
In June, the Houston Dash signed McKinney for the rest of the season, making her one of Jane Campbell's backups. She made her professional debut and only appearance for the Dash on July 20, 2024, starting and making five saves in a 3–1 loss to the Kansas City Current in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup group stage.
On February 21, 2025, McKinney joined Fort Lauderdale United FC.