Naomi Haile Girma, 23, is an American professional soccer player who currently plays as a defender for San Diego Wave FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and represents the United States national team. In the 2022 NWSL Draft, she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick.
Girma has represented the United States at various levels, including the under-17, under-19, and under-20 national teams. Her exceptional performances earned her the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year award in 2020.
Girma won the 2022 NWSL Rookie of the Year award, the 2022 and 2023 NWSL Defender of the Year award, and the 2023 Female Player of the Year award from U.S. Soccer. She’s qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as well.
Naomi Girma Is Qualified For 2024 Paris Olympics
In July 2022, Naomi Girma and her team [United States Women’s National Team (USWNT)] participated in the CONCACAF W Championship. The team came out victorious in their group, scoring 9 goals in the group-stage matches. They continued their dominant run by defeating Costa Rica 3-0 in the semifinal and securing the championship title with a 1-0 win against Canada in the final. This marked the USWNT’s ninth CONCACAF championship victory.
By reaching the semifinal stage, the team secured their qualification in both the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Summer Paris Olympics in France.
The U.S. women’s soccer team has consistently qualified for every Olympic Games since the sport was introduced to the Olympic program during the 1996 Atlanta Games.
The women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics will feature 12 teams, divided into three groups of four teams each.
One rising young talent who is almost guaranteed a spot on the roster for the Summer Olympics is Naomi Girma. The 23-year-old center-back made her World Cup debut this year, and her performances caught the attention of many, including USWNT co-captain Lindsey Horan, who was highly impressed by the young defender.
“Look at how incredible Naomi was this entire tournament,”“First World Cup and she’s one the best players on the team.”
Horan said.
The United States women’s national soccer team is expected to have a fresh look when the 2024 Olympics begin in Paris. Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz have already declared their retirement from international soccer.
Naomi Girma Early Life with Her Parents, and Brother Nathaniel
Naomi Girma was born on June 14, 2000, in San Jose, California, to Girma Aweke and Seble Demissie, Ethiopian immigrants who found each other in the Bay Area. She has an older brother, Nathaniel, who is three years her senior. Their family communicates in both Amharic and English. Girma stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) and weighs 57 kilograms.
During her youth, Girma played for a local club formed by her father in 2005 for the Bay Area’s Ethiopian community, known as the Maleda Soccer Club. She attended Hacienda Elementary School and participated in YMCA after-school basketball matches. Her brother Nathaniel excelled in basketball and other sports, providing Girma with the opportunity to learn various skills from him.
Naomi Girma starts her career in early 2009
Before committing to soccer in middle school, Girma spent five years practicing gymnastics. In 2009, after impressing coaches during a practice session to which a friend had invited her, Girma joined the local youth club, Central Valley Crossfire. She is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Management Science and Engineering, having graduated from college in 2021.
In 2010, Girma attended Hacienda Elementary School which provided a nurturing environment for her growing interest in soccer. Before fully committing to the sport in middle school, she spent five years practicing gymnastics.
Girma’s soccer journey began when she joined the local youth team Central Valley Crossfire in 2009, after impressing coaches during a session to which a friend had invited her. She played for Crossfire until its dissolution in 2017.
Under the guidance of coach Bob Joyce at Crossfire, Girma was encouraged to participate in Olympic Development Program tournaments and received an invitation to the United States U-14 national team camp. Later on, she became a guest player for De Anza Force, as well as the California Thorns Academy and Pioneer High School.
In 2016, she participated in the U17 women’s national team CONCACAF Qualifiers in Grenada and the U17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan. During this year, she also served as the captain of her high school team. Alongside her high school commitments, Girma played club soccer for CV Crossfire, De Anza Force, and the CA Thorns Academy.
Beginning of her Professional phases
In 2017, Girma’s talents were recognized on the international stage as she participated in the U19 women’s national team NSWI Cup CFA International Tournament in China, gaining valuable national team experience. She served as the captain of her high school team and played club soccer for De Anza Force and the CA Thorns Academy.
In 2018, She was named to the All-Pac-12 third team, All-Pac-12 freshman team, and TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI first team. Girma started 22 games, making 23 appearances, and scored twice while assisting four other goals. Her first career assist came in Stanford’s 3-0 victory over Cal Poly on September 13th. She also contributed assists in Stanford’s 2-0 wins against Arizona (September 21st) and Utah (October 18th). Additionally, Girma assisted Civana Kuhlmann’s goal in a 3-0 triumph over Seattle University (November 9th) and scored her first two career goals in a 4-1 win against Ole Miss (November 16th).
Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024 (Team USA): Meet Gymnast Jordan Chiles
In 2019, Girma played collegiate soccer for the Stanford Cardinal and captained the team to win the 2019 Women’s College Cup. However, she missed the early part of the 2021 season due to an ACL injury. During her recovery, Girma applied and was accepted into the Mayfield Fellows Program for Entrepreneurship at Stanford. Additionally, she received her first call-up to the United States senior national team in December 2019 but unfortunately had to withdraw due to injury.
In 2020, she captained the under-20 national team to win the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship under the guidance of head coach Laura Harvey. Her exceptional performances earned her the 2020 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year award in December. Later that year, Girma received another call-up to the United States senior national team in October.
Naomi in her Prime
On October 7, 2021, Girma scored four goals, including the game-winner against Washington State. Her academic excellence was recognized as she received the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll. Additionally, she was named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America first-team and received the Senior CLASS Award All-America second-team and Senior CLASS Award Finalist honors.
Girma’s defensive skill earned her the distinction of being named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week twice, on October 11 and October 25. She was also lauded as the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Pac-12 Defender of the Year during the same season. Girma served as the team captain, and her squad reached the semifinals of the MAC Hermann Trophy.
In 2022, Girma made her debut for the senior United States national team on April 12, during an international friendly against Uzbekistan. Her impressive performances continued as she participated in the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, where she registered an assist on a goal scored by Sophia Smith against Jamaica.
Girma was named to the United States squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She set her place as a starting defender during the team’s opening group stage match against Vietnam, a 3–0 shutout victory. In the first half, Girma began the sequence that led to the U.S.’s second goal, lobbing the ball into the box for Alex Morgan, who headed it to Sophia Smith, the scorer.
Naomi Girma made her name in history by becoming the first defender to be named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2023.
