As one of the world’s best and most consistent footballing sides, the United States Women’s National Team has enjoyed a constant conveyor belt of top prospects progressing to the senior level. Many highly
rated youth prospects will have to wait for a shot, developing until receiving a call-up. Having a deluge of accolades at every step of her career, Kennedy Wesley was named to the October camp by Emma Hayes and made her debut in the friendly against New Zealand. The 24-year-old San Diego Wave defender should continue to be included in the squad, with her entry coming at an opportune juncture.
Raised in Seal Beach, California, Kennedy Wesley competed with SoCal Blues and Slammers FC, winning an Elite Clubs National League title in 2015 and being listed on the Conference Best XI. At the high school level, she played for Valley Christian High School as a box-to-box midfielder and won a state title, twice being named All League and receiving National and State Gatorade Player of the Year and All-USA Player of the Year after contributing 22 goals and 9 assists as a sophomore; additionally competing in track and field, her long jump was the fourth-best in the state. With youth international call-ups and Olympic Development Program experience, Top Drawer Soccer rated her as a five-star prospect and the top recruit in the 2019 class.
Wesley then enrolled at Stanford University and made 25 appearances as a freshman, starting in 14 at left fullback while claiming the Pac-12 and NCAA titles, converting a crucial penalty in the latter final’s shootout. As a sophomore, she switched to centre-back and featured 13 times during the pandemic-shortened schedule. Her junior season included 19 matches and being named All-Pac-12 third team, followed by 22 fixtures, another conference championship, and All-Region first team and All-Pac-12 second team honors as a senior. With additional COVID eligibility, her Cardinal career closed by featuring in 25 contests and receiving All-Pac-12 first team following a relative explosion of four goals and six assists as the team reached the final of the national tournament.
During her time in the “high level, high paced environment” at Stanford, Wesley set the program record for most career appearances. “Honestly, I did not know that was something I was even close to,” she told The Stanford Daily. “I am super blessed that I was able to stay a fifth year because of COVID and to stay healthy all those four years. And to contribute to the program as much as it has contributed to my life – it’s a super great honor and blessing for sure, but definitely not something I thought I would achieve in my time here… I definitely knew that the fifth year was a possibility, but I was also considering just starting my professional career a little bit earlier. At the end of the day, I didn’t really feel like I was ready to leave Stanford and all it had to offer.”
Entering the professional game, Wesley was selected by the San Diego Wave with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Super Draft and signed a two-year contract. Dealing with an adjustment to the speed of play, she made her debut in April against Racing Louisville and made 16 appearances across all competitions, registering headed finishes in a 3-1 win over Bay FC and a 4-1 defeat to the North Carolina Courage. Her performances saw her named the Rookie of the Month for September, with an 85% passing accuracy as the team won four out of five matches.
Entering this season, Wesley was tabbed as “an incredible talent” who “hadn’t been given the opportunities that she deserves or the spotlight that she needs to grow and flourish.” She featured in 23 matches and registered a finish in May’s 2-1 victory over Bay FC as the club finished at sixth in the table and fell in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. With her free agency impending, the club signed her to a three-year contract extension, describing her as a “true professional” who has “made an incredible impact on and off the field.”
“This is such an important moment in my professional journey, as San Diego has truly become home for me,” said Wesley. “This club has a special place in my heart. To play for this city, for these fans, and to be part of this community is so special. Also, to play close to where I grew up and near my family is something every professional dreams of, so I am extremely thankful to the club for this opportunity to continue representing San Diego.”
At the international level, Wesley is a long-term member of the United States program and was named to the Best XI during the title runs at the 2016 and 2018 CONCACAF U-17 Championships, being added to the roster for the 2016 U-17 World Cup. She also helped claim a first-place finish at the 2020 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. After being named to the summer’s Under-23 friendlies against Germany, Emma Hayes included her on the senior roster for the friendlies against Portugal and New Zealand, giving her a debut with a 90-minute showing in the latter 6-0 victory; evaluators praised a “promising display” with pinpoint distribution. Her name was listed again for the upcoming camp that features two matches against Italy.
Standing at five feet, five inches tall, the “athletic” Wesley is capable of lining up at centre-back and fullback and takes a very active role in the build-up with a high number of attempted passes, one of the best accuracy rates in the NWSL, and regular touches in the opponent’s box. She “plays with her body on the line” and “puts herself into vulnerable positions,” willing to dispense “tricky tackles” as the game becomes more “physical and fast.” Hayes praised her as “tough” and noted her “progressive [distribution],” both diagonally and “bringing the ball into the midfield.”
“I think defensively, I’m super aggressive, pretty fearless, will go into any challenge and just try to dominate whoever I’m playing against physically,” Wesley shared with All For XI. “I just have a brave, no fear mentality. Offensively, I try to pride myself on composure on the ball, settling things down to set up my teammates well. It’s a little contrasting with the aggressive defensive side with the more calm presence offensively.”
There is still plenty of time before the road to the next World Cup begins in earnest, and Hayes is endeavoring to not leave a single stone in the talent pool unturned. Wesley has the talent to work her way into the group and contribute on the biggest stages, building off her underlying ability and continued growth. Achieving her first call-up and cap were the first steps, and further inclusion could indicate an immediate and a long-term future with the USWNT.
