Kelsey Hill


Kelsey Taylor Hill is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League. She played college soccer for the Saint Mary's Gaels and Pepperdine Waves.

Early life & education

Hill was raised in Elk Grove, California. She began playing soccer at the age of four, inspired by the United States women's national soccer team and players such as Mia Hamm.

College career

Saint Mary’s Gaels

Hill began her collegiate soccer career at Saint Mary’s College of California, where she started all 38 matches over the 2017 and 2018 seasons. She scored one goal as a freshman and two as a sophomore, earning selection to the West Coast Conference All-Freshman Team in 2017.

Pepperdine Waves

In January 2019, Hill transferred to Pepperdine University, enrolling mid-season and red-shirting the 2019 campaign per NCAA transfer regulations. During her time with the Waves, she appeared in 40 matches and became a key member of the team’s defense. In the 2021 season, Hill started all 22 games as part of a defensive unit that recorded 13 shutouts—one short of the school record—and achieved the best goals-against average in the WCC. She ranked third on the team in minutes played with 1,934 and earned a WCC Defensive Player of the Week award in October 2021.
During her senior preseason, Hill suffered a hip injury that caused her to miss her final collegiate season. Despite the setback, she remained committed to pursuing a professional career.

Club career

Angel City FC

In 2023, Hill joined Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League as a National Team Replacement player ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Odense Boldklub Q

In January 2024, Hill signed with Danish club Odense Boldklub Q of Gjensidige Kvindeligaen. In July of that year, she was transferred to Brooklyn FC in the most expensive transfer in Kvindeligaen history.

Brooklyn FC

On August 13, 2024, Brooklyn FC announced the signing of Hill as part of its inaugural women’s squad for the 2024–25 USL Super League season. In her debut season with Brooklyn FC during the 2024–25 campaign, Hill was named team captain and was a regular starter, making 26 appearances for the club. She earned league recognition in February 2025 when she was named to the USL Super League Team of the Month for her defensive performances.
In September 2025, she was again selected to the Team of the Month after ranking fourth in the league for completed passes, eighth in clearances, and tied for fifteenth in shots ; she also scored her first professional goal in a 2–2 draw against DC Power FC.

Style of play

Hill primarily plays as a centre-back and is recognized for her composure and passing accuracy out of defense, recording over 91 percent passing accuracy in key matches. She is noted for her defensive reliability—contributing consistently in clearances, duels won, and blocks as part of Brooklyn’s defensive foundation—and was described in a pre-match “Players to Watch” feature as the “cornerstone of Brooklyn’s defense.” Demonstrating two-way capability, Hill’s performances in September 2025 highlighted her contributions not only in defense but also in build-up play and attack, as she created scoring opportunities and netted her first professional goal.

Personal life

Hill’s journey to professional soccer involved overcoming injury, going undrafted, reaching out and training with coaches in the NWSL, including a six-month period training with Angel City FC before being signed.
She views her move to Brooklyn FC as part of a “new era” for the club and sees an opportunity to be part of its foundation.

Honors

Individual