Emily Townsend Menges (born July 28, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for Bay FC. She previously played for Portland Thorns FC, with whom she won the 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shield and the 2017 and 2022 NWSL Championships, for Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League, and for the Long Island Fury in the second-division Women's Premier Soccer League, with whom she won the 2009 national championship.
Menges with the Thorns in September 2016
| |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emily Townsend Menges[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1992-07-28) July 28, 1992 (age 31) | ||
| Place of birth | Garden City, New York, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Bay FC | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Albertson Fury '91 | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2013 | Georgetown Hoyas | 84 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2023 | Portland Thorns | 133 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | → Melbourne Victory (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2024– | Bay FC | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2013 | United States U23 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of January 16, 2020 | |||
Menges was born in Garden City, New York and attended Garden City High School. She played for the Albertson Fury '91, winning three consecutive Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Open Cups from 2009 to 2011.[2]
Menges attended Georgetown University. She finished her college career as one of the most decorated players in program history, earning the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award and NSCAA First Team All-American honors in 2013,[2] in addition to being a three-time All-Big East selection. She captained the Hoyas' defense to 23 shutouts over her final two seasons, including a school-record 13 clean sheets as a junior in 2012. Menges appeared in 84 games (83 starts), scored two goals, and helped the Georgetown defense post 40 shutouts. She was a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist in 2012 and 2013.[3]
Menges played for the Long Island Fury, winning the second-division Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) national championship in 2009.
Portland Thorns FC selected Menges with the 25th overall pick in the third round of the 2014 NWSL College Draft.[3] She made her first appearance with the Thorns on April 12, 2014, helping the team record a shutout in a 1–0 road win against the Houston Dash.[4]
Menges was a starting centerback for the Thorns when they won the 2016 NWSL Shield and the 2017 NWSL Championship. She has been a favorite of fans, winning the Supporters' Player of the Year award in 2016.[3]
In December 2013, Menges was called up to participate in training camp with the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team.[6] In November 2016, Menges was called into training camp with the U.S. women's national soccer team.[3]
Menges is the vice-president of the I'm Not Done Yet Foundation, an organization started by the Menges family after her brother Bobby's death in 2017. I'm Not Done Yet is dedicated to helping pediatric and young adult patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses.[7]
Long Island Fury
Portland Thorns FC
Individual
