Emily Ann Fox (born July 5, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right back for Women's Super League club Arsenal and the United States national team.

Emily Fox
Fox with the North Carolina Courage in 2023
Personal information
Full name Emily Ann Fox[1]
Date of birth (1998-07-05) July 5, 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Ashburn, Virginia, United States
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Position(s) Right back
Team information
Current team
Arsenal
Number 2
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2020 North Carolina Tar Heels 69 (2)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Racing Louisville 40 (1)
2023 North Carolina Courage 18 (0)
2024– Arsenal 18 (1)
International career
2015–2018 United States U20 33 (3)
2018– United States 60 (1)
Medal record
Women's soccer
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Team
CONCACAF W Championship
Winner 2022 Mexico
CONCACAF W Gold Cup
Winner 2024 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 16, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 30, 2024

Fox played college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where she was three-time All-ACC first-team selection. She was the first overall pick by Racing Louisville FC in the 2021 NWSL Draft. She was traded to the North Carolina Courage in 2023 before signing with Arsenal in 2024.

At the international level, Fox won the gold medal with the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Early life and college career

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Born and raised in Ashburn, Virginia, Fox began playing soccer at age five. She also ran 5Ks and practiced gymnastics until middle school.[2][3] She attended Stone Bridge High School, where she played one season as a freshman, leading the team with 16 goals as a midfielder and reaching the state championship game, and was named first-team all-state. She graduated one year early and entered the University of North Carolina in January 2017.[2]

North Carolina Tar Heels (2017–2020)

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Fox started the first thirteen games of her freshman fall season with the North Carolina before suffering a torn ACL and missing the rest of the season. She was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference third team and all-freshman team.[2] In her sophomore season, due to her call-up to the USWNT in November 2018, she missed the ACC tournament semifinals and final and the first round of NCAA tournament. She returned in the third round as North Carolina made it all the way to the national final, where they fell 1–0 to Florida State.[4] Fox was named to the All-ACC first team and the all-tournament team of the NCAA championship.[2]

Fox led the team with 11 assists in the 2019 season and was again named first-team All-ACC. She assisted on the winning goals to Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo in the semifinals and final respectively of ACC tournament, making the all-tournament team. She scored her first college goal in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Belmont and found her second goal to tie the game against USC in the quarterfinals but then tore her ACL for a second time in that game. North Carolina went on to win the game and reached another national final but lost to Stanford on penalties.[2][3] Fox was again named first-team All-ACC after the fall 2020 season.[5]

Club career

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Racing Louisville (2021–2022)

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Fox was drafted by Racing Louisville FC as the first overall pick of the 2021 NWSL Draft.[6] Fox played more minutes than any other NWSL rookie in 23 appearances for Racing. She led the league in interceptions, with 115, and was a finalist for the NWSL Rookie of the Year award.[7] Fox was named to the NWSL Best XI second team for her performances in her rookie season.[8] Ahead of the 2022 season, Fox was named as one of Racing's four team captains.[9]

North Carolina Courage (2023)

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Fox playing for the Courage in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final

In January 2023, Fox was traded to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for Abby Erceg and Carson Pickett.[10] Fox was apart of the squad that won the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, playing in 4 of the 8 matches.[11] She was named to the NWSL Best XI second team for the second time at the conclusion of the 2023 season.[12]

Arsenal (2024–present)

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On January 11, 2024, Fox signed for Arsenal.[13] Three days later, she made her debut for the club in Arsenal's FA Cup win to Watford (5–1).[14] On January 28, 2024, in her second league appearance, she recorded her first assist for Arsenal, setting up Vivianne Miedema's goal and also helped set up the second goal in a 2–0 victory against Liverpool. She was named player of the match.[15]

Fox made her UEFA Women's Champions League debut with Arsenal on September 4, 2024, starting in a home match against Rangers which finished as a 6–0 victory.[16] She scored her first goal for the club during a 4–1 Champions League group stage win against Vålerenga on October 16, 2024.[17]

International career

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Youth national team

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In 2015, Fox was named to the roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship.[18] She scored a goal in the opening game of the tournament, a 2–2 draw vs Mexico.[19] Fox appeared in every game of the tournament, as the U.S. captured their fifth CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship.[20] Fox was named to the squad for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, she appeared in all six games for the U.S. as they finished fourth in the tournament.[21]

Fox did not participate in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship as she was still recovering from her ACL injury. She recovered in time to be named to the roster for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, one of three players to return for a second U-20 World Cup.[21] Fox appeared in one game as the U.S. failed to advance to the knockout stage.[22]

Senior national team

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Fox received her first call-up to the senior national team in November 2018 for a set of friendlies in Europe.[23] She earned her first cap on November 8, 2018, when she got the start at right back against Portugal.[24] Fox was also in the starting lineup five days later against Scotland.

Fox was originally only named as a practice player for the USWNT training camp ahead of the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, but after Danielle Colaprico had to withdraw from the squad due to injury, Fox was added to the roster.[25]

Fox was named to the roster for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup and was the only player to play three full ninety minute games, 270 minutes overall, as the USWNT won the tournament for the fourth consecutive year, and sixth time overall.[26] In the following national team camp for a set of friendlies against Ireland, Fox scored her first goal for the senior national team on April 8, 2023, which finished as a 2–0 victory.[27]

On June 21, 2023, Fox was named to the USWNT roster for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.[28] Fox started in all four matches and played all but 8 minutes, and was apart of a defense that only allowed just two shots on goal and one goal all tournament before the USWNT were ultimately eliminated on penalties by Sweden after a scoreless 0–0 draw in the Round of 16.[26]

On April 9, 2024, Fox converted her first professional penalty in a shootout against Canada, to help win the 2024 SheBelieves Cup for the USWNT.[29] After the match ended as a 2–2 draw, Fox convereted the final penalty to finish the shootout at 5–4, and win the title for the seventh time.

Fox was selected to the 18-player roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in France and earned her fiftieth cap in a friendly against Mexico ahead of the Olympics on July 13, 2024.[30][31] She started in all six matches during the Olympic tournament, including the gold medal match against Brazil, which the United States won 1–0 on a goal from Mallory Swanson.[32]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of November 21, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Racing Louisville 2021 NWSL 23 0 4 0 27 0
2022 17 1 6 0 23 1
Total 40 1 10 0 50 1
North Carolina Courage 2023 NWSL 18 0 4 0 1[c] 0 23 0
Arsenal 2023–24 WSL 10 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 13 0
2024–25 8 0 0 0 0 0 8[d] 1 16 1
Total 18 0 2 0 1 0 8 1 29 1
Career total 76 1 2 0 15 0 8 1 1 0 102 2

International

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As of match played October 30, 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2018 2 0
2019 1 0
2020
2021 5 0
2022 14 0
2023 17 1
2024 21 0
Total 60 1
Scores and results list United States's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Fox goal.
List of international goals scored by Emily Fox
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 April 8, 2023 Austin, Texas   Republic of Ireland 1–0 2–0 Friendly [m 1]

Honors

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North Carolina Courage

Arsenal

United States

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup France 2018 – List of Players: USA U20 (women)" (PDF). FIFA. July 26, 2018. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Emily Fox". Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Heller, Ryan (April 13, 2022). "Emily Fox; from broken knee to number one draftee". UNC Media Hub. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "Women's college soccer: Florida State beats North Carolina 1–0 for 2018 College Cup title". December 3, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  5. ^ "2020 All-ACC Women's Soccer Awards Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. November 13, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Rapp, Timothy (January 13, 2021). "Emily Fox Selected No. 1 Overall by Racing Louisville in 2021 NWSL Draft". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "Emily Fox". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com. November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  9. ^ @RacingLouFC (March 14, 2022). "Introducing the Captains Group ..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Courage acquire defender Emily Fox in trade with Racing Louisville". North Carolina Courage. January 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "USWNT REWIND: North Carolina Courage Claim 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  12. ^ "Courage land four on NWSL Best XI, presented by Mastercard". North Carolina Courage. November 6, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "Emily Fox signs for Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "Report: Arsenal Women 5–1 Watford". arsenal.com. January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  15. ^ "'I'm very lucky' | Emily Fox wins player of the match". SkySports. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  16. ^ UEFA.com. "Arsenal vs Rangers | UEFA Women's Champions League 2024/25". UEFA.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Salley, Emily (October 16, 2024). "Arsenal 4-1 Valerenga: Hosts win in Women's Champions League in first game since Jonas Eidevall exit". BBC Sport. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "USA sends young squad to qualifiers for U-20 Women's World Cup". November 30, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  19. ^ "U-20 WNT Opens World Cup Qualifying With 2–2 Draw vs. Mexico". December 4, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  20. ^ "Champions of CONCACAF! U-20 WNT Wins Fifth Regional Title With 1–0 Victory vs. Canada". December 13, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "USA Roster Named for 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup". July 17, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  22. ^ "Hard-Fought, Comeback Draw vs. Spain Not Enough for USA to Advance at 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup". August 13, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  23. ^ "24 Players Called for WNT November Friendlies in Portugal and Scotland". October 26, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  24. ^ "McDonald's first international goal gives USWNT 500th win". November 8, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  25. ^ "Defender Emily Fox Replaces Danielle Colaprico on 2019 SheBelieves Cup Roster". U.S. Soccer. February 26, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Making The Case: Emily Fox for U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  27. ^ "U.S. Women's National Team Earns 2-0 Win Against The Republic Of Ireland In Front Of Sellout Crowd In Austin, Texas | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  28. ^ "Andonovski Names U.S. Team For 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  29. ^ "USWNT vs. Canada: Match Recap & Highlights". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  30. ^ "USWNT vs. Mexico: Starting XI & Lineup Notes". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  31. ^ Linehan, Meg (June 26, 2024). "Alex Morgan not selected to USWNT for Paris Olympics: Full roster for 2024 Games". The Athletic. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  32. ^ Mathews, Max (August 10, 2024). "USWNT vs Brazil live updates: Mallory Swanson breaks deadlock in Paris Olympics 2024 women's soccer final". The Athletic. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  33. ^ Smith, Emma (March 31, 2024). "Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (AET): Stina Blackstenius secures League Cup glory in extra time". BBC Sport. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  34. ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (August 10, 2024). "Brazil 0-1 United States: Emma Hayes leads USA to Olympic gold". BBC Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  35. ^ Das, Andrew (July 19, 2022). "U.S. Women Beat Canada to Claim Spot in Paris Olympics". The New York Times.
  36. ^ "Horan the hero as USA down Brazil to win W Gold Cup crown". CONCACAF.com. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  37. ^ "U.S. Women's National Team Defeats Iceland 5–0 to Win Third Consecutive and Fifth Overall SheBelieves Cup Title, Presented by Visa". U.S. Soccer. February 23, 2022.
  38. ^ Herrera, Sandra (February 22, 2023). "USWNT vs. Brazil score: USA win SheBelieves Cup with Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson dominating in attack". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  39. ^ "2024 Shebelieves Cup final USWNT vs Canada result". U.S. Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  40. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com. May 3, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  41. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
Match reports
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