Khyah Harper


Khyah Lynn Harper is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League. She played college soccer for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was named the Big Ten Forward of the Year in 2024.

Early life

Harper was born and raised in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. She played multiple sports growing up, including softball, baseball, and track, and she danced, but had the most passion for soccer. She played two seasons at North Branch Area High School before transferring to Centennial High School. She committed to Minnesota before her freshman year. She helped Centennial reach the state championship game as a junior. In her senior year, she scored 26 goals with 10 assists and was named the Minnesota Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year for 2020. She finished her high school career with 134 goals and 71 assists in five seasons. During high school, she played club soccer for Minnesota Thunder Academy, earning ECNL All-American honors in 2018.

College career

Harper battled injuries over her first three seasons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, going through surgeries for both ankles and meniscus surgery on her knee. Leading up to her senior year in 2024, she spent the summer with Women's Premier Soccer League club Salvo SC and won the Golden Boot after leading the league with 16 goals. She had a strong start to her senior season with the Golden Gophers, scoring two hat tricks within the first three games. She finished her breakout season with 17 goals in 22 games. Minnesota earned their first NCAA tournament berth in six years and reached the third round, losing to eventual champions North Carolina. Harper was named the Big Ten Forward of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten, and second-team All-American by United Soccer Coaches.

Club career

Gotham FC announced on January 8, 2025, that they had signed Harper to her first professional contract on a one-year deal. She made her professional debut on March 23, coming on as a second-half substitute for Sarah Schupansky in a 2–0 loss against the Orlando Pride in the home opener. On August 1, she made her first start and scored her first professional goal with a diving header from Sarah Schupansky's cross in a 1–1 draw with the Chicago Stars. She gained starts in all four CONCACAF W Champions Cup group games as Gotham progressed to the semifinals, scoring in a 2–1 win over Monterrey on August 20. On September 19, she signed a one-year contract extension through the following season. She finished her rookie season with 1 goal in 12 league appearances. She was unused in the playoffs as Gotham won the 2025 NWSL Championship over the Washington Spirit, claiming their second NWSL title.
Harper began her second season at the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup, scoring the opening goal against AS FAR in the 4–0 win for third place at the Emirates Stadium on February 1, 2026.

Personal life

Harper is the daughter of Desiree and Brett Harper. Her father played college football at Wisconsin–La Crosse, and her older sister Sadie played soccer alongside Harper throughout high school and college. She is a cousin of ice hockey player Hunter Miska.

Honors and awards

Gotham FC
Individual