Whitney Engen
Whitney Elizabeth Engen is an American former soccer player and FIFA Women's World Cup champion. She played as a defender for the United States women's national soccer team as well as the Boston Breakers of the National Women's Soccer League, the highest division of women's soccer in the United States. She first appeared for the United States national team during the 2011 Algarve Cup in a match against Norway on March 4. During her time with the team, she made 40 appearances for the team and scored four goals.
Engen has represented the United States in one FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015 and one Olympic tournament in 2016. Engen played collegiate soccer with the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2006 to 2009. Following her collegiate career, she was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2010 WPS Draft that took place on January 15, 2010. Between 2011 and 2015, Engen played professionally for the Western New York Flash, Tyresö FF, Pali Blues, Liverpool Ladies and the Houston Dash before ending up with the Boston Breakers for the 2016 NWSL season.
On October 2, 2016, Engen announced that she had been released by the United States women's national team. On February 6, 2017, Engen announced that she was stepping away from professional soccer and will not play in the NWSL in 2017.
Early life
Born in Torrance, California, to parents Chris and Kim Engen, Whitney was raised with her brother, Taylor. Although Engen aspired to be a gymnast, her tall stature limited her ability to do gymnastics. Instead, she switched to soccer. Growing up, her family was also very competitive and encouraged friendly competitions between her and her brother.Engen played club soccer growing up, ending her youth career with Slammers FC in Newport Beach. Her previous team did not give her playing time, leading her to switch to SFC, joining future national teammate Christen Press. While with SFC, the team won back-to-back state and regional championships in 2004 and 2005. The team also appeared in national championships during those years, taking second in 2004 and third in 2005. During her youth career, Engen also played with the '86 Olympic Development Program team that clinched regional and national titles.Engen attended Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates, California, where she played varsity soccer during her freshman and sophomore years. She played two years of varsity soccer as a forward and attacking midfielder. She did not play during her junior year due to an injury and opted to concentrate on club soccer during senior year and did not play with her high school team. She was also named the Most Valuable Offensive Player as a freshman and Most Valuable Player as a sophomore. Engen graduated high school on June 15, 2006, and Soccer Buzz ranked her among the Top 25 recruits in the nation.
University of North Carolina
Engen attended the University of North Carolina and played soccer for the Tar Heels under head coach Anson Dorrance all four years. She began her college career with the Tar Heels playing as a forward before transitioning to central defense. During her time there, the Tar Heels won the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship three times: in 2006, 2008, and 2009.File:Brittany Bock, Whitney Engen 2006.jpg|thumb|Engen with the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 3, 2006, during the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament championship game. by Jarrett Campbell / CC BY|left|286x286pxDuring her 2006 season as a freshman, Engen appeared in 27 games, starting 24. She had the third most points at Carolina that season with 37 and was tied for second most goals and assists on the team with 12 and 13, respectively. In the ACC Tournament, Engen had at least one point in each of the team's matches, including two goals against North Carolina State in the quarterfinals, two assists against Clemson University in the semifinals, and an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime against Florida State University in the final. In the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament, Engen had at least one point in five of six of the team's matches, including two goals against Navy in the second round, a goal and assists against the University of Tennessee in the third round, a goal against Texas A&M University in the quarterfinals, and an assist on the game-winning goal against Notre Dame in the final to help the Tar Heels take the NCAA Championship. After a successful freshman season, Engen won Carolina's soccer team Gift of Fury award. She was also named to the Soccer Buzz All-America Freshman Second-Team, Soccer America All-Freshman Second-Team, Top Drawer Soccer All-Freshman First-Team, ACC All-Tournament team, ACC All-Freshman Team, and Soccer Buzz All-Southeast Region Freshman Team.During the 2007 season, Engen appeared in 23 games, starting all 23. She had the third most points on the team during the season with 20. She scored six goals and recorded eight assists in the season, her first goal being against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament, Engen scored two goals and recorded an assist against High Point University in the first round. In addition, she had goals in matches against Ohio State, Duke, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the second round. At the end of the season, Engen was named to the All-ACC Academic team.
In her junior season, Engen switched from being a forward to center back for the Tar Heels. She appeared started all 28 games for the team and led the team in minutes played with 2,518. She recorded three assists in the season. In addition, she tied the school record for games played and started in a season. In the ACC Tournament, Engen recorded an assist in the victory against Virginia Tech in the championship final. In the NCAA Tournament, Engen recorded an assist on the game-winning goal against Texas A&M in the quarterfinals. The Tar Heels went on to win the 2008 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament after a 2–1 win over Notre Dame. After another successful season, Engen was named to the NSCAA All-America Third Team, Soccer Buzz All-America Second-Team, All-ACC Second Team, ACC All-Tournament Team, NSCAA All-Southeast Region Team, and Soccer Buzz All-Southeast Region Team. Academically, Engen received ACC All-Academic Team and NSCAA Collegiate Scholar All-America First Team honors.
In the 2009 season, Engen appeared in all 27 games for the team, starting all 27. In her 2,365 minutes played, Engen scored one goal and recorded three assists in the season. The Tar Heels went on to win the 2009 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament after a 1–0 win over Stanford in the championship game. As a senior, she won the Honda Sports Award as the nation's top soccer player.
Club career
Pali Blues, 2009
On April 16, 2009, Engen and North Carolina teammate Ashlyn Harris signed with the Pali Blues of the W-League. The W-League was often used by college players as a summer playing option because of its status as an open league, allowing college players to maintain eligibility. The Pali Blues went undefeated in the regular season and then went on to win the W-League Championship with a 2–1 win over Washington Freedom in the final.Chicago Red Stars, 2010
On January 15, 2010, Engen was drafted fourth overall to the Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer in the 2010 WPS Draft. Engen appeared in all 24 games for Red Stars in the regular season and played all but four minutes for the team. The Red Stars finished sixth in the 2010 WPS season and did not advance to the playoffs.Western New York Flash, 2011
In December 2010, the Western New York Flash, previously part of the W-League, joined the WPS for the 2011 season. Shortly after, Engen signed with the team. She played in 17 of the team's 18 regular season games to help the Flash finish first in the regular season and advance to the playoffs. Engen appeared in the 2011 WPS Championship on August 27, 2011, against the Philadelphia Independence. The game was tied 1–1 after regulation and extra time, leaving the outcome of the match to be decided by penalty kicks. The Flash won the championship after goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris blocked the shot by Philadelphia's Laura del Rio. Following the 2011 season, Engen was named WPS Defender of the Year and to the 2011 WPS Top XI.Tyresö FF, 2011
Immediately following the 2011 WPS season, Engen joined Swedish team Tyresö FF on loan. She made her first appearance for the team on September 4, 2011, in a match against Umeå IK and made a total of six appearances while with the team and scored one goal. She made her final appearance of the season on October 15.Second stint at Pali Blues, 2012
On January 30, 2012, it was announced that the 2012 WPS season would be suspended following legal and financial challenges. Although the league was intended to resume for the 2013 season, it officially folded in May. In April, Engen joined the Pali Blues of the W-League for the 2012 season.File:Liverpool L.F.C. IMG 6445.jpg|left|thumb|225x225px|Engen celebrating after winning the FA WSL championship with Liverpool L.F.C. in 2013. by Kevin Walsh / CC BY