*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 October 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 October 2023
Cheyna Lee Matthews (néeWilliams; born 10 November 1993) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in the United States, she represents Jamaica internationally.
In 2012, Williams attended Vanderbilt University, where she made 17 appearances, scored six goals and registered six assists her freshman year. Building on a successful season, she started all 18 games her sophomore year, scoring 16 goals and registering five assists.[2] Her performance in 2013 named her First-Team All-SEC.[3]
In 2014, Williams transferred to Florida State University, where she would continue her form. She made 24 starts (26 appearances) and helped the Seminoles win their first NCAA National Championship in program history. Williams would finish her season year with an additional 25 games played and scoring 10 goals.[3]
Matthews was drafted by Washington Spirit in the 1st round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She signed with the Spirit in April 2016.[5] In her rookie season, Matthews played in 17 regular season games, 8 starts, totaling 779 minutes and scored three goals. The Georgia native scored her first professional goal on 31 July 2016 against Sky Blue FC. The team went on to make its first-ever NWSL Championship appearance, ultimately losing on penalties to Western New York Flash. Matthews dressed but served as an unused substitute.[6]
The Spirit would struggle in the 2017 season but Matthews became a regular contributor making 21 appearances and scoring 5 goals (tied for second on the team).
Ahead of the 2020 season, the Spirit announced that Matthews would be taking a paid leave of absence to focus on her family situation, notably the potential for her husband, Jordan Matthews, to relocate within the NFL.[8] The paid leave was anticipated to last until May of the year and stipulated that Matthews could continue her career elsewhere, if necessary.
In October 2020, Matthews was placed on the NWSL Re-Entry Wire by the Spirit.[9]
Matthews represented the United States at under–23 level in 2015. She was also eligible to play for Jamaica through her mother, who was born in Portland Parish.[13] In January 2019, she was called up by the Reggae Girlz for the first time, joining the team in a training camp to prepare the first FIFA Women's World Cup appearance in Jamaica history.[14] She made her debut in a 1–0 friendly win against Chile on 28 February 2019.
Matthews was selected for Jamaica's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup squad. She made her World Cup debut during the team's first group stage match against Brazil in Grenoble.[15]
