Shea Ellese Groom (born March 4, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Chicago Stars FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Groom played collegiate soccer for Texas A&M Aggies before starting her professional career with FC Kansas City in 2015. She was traded to Sky Blue FC after FC Kansas City ceased operations in 2018, before joining Seattle Reign FC in 2019, then joining Houston Dash in 2020. In 2024, she signed with Chicago as a free agent.
Groom is a former United States youth international. She received her first call-up to the full national team in October 2016 but has yet to win a cap.
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Born in Liberty, Missouri, to Kelly and Lesa Groom, Groom attended Liberty High School where she led the girls' soccer team to a state championship and was named Missouri's Player of the Year in 2010.[2] She was named Gatorade Missouri Player of the year twice in 2010 and 2011. Groom was a NSCAA High School Girls' All-America Soccer Team selection and named NSCAA State Player of the Year in 2010.[2] In 2011, she was named All-American by ESPN Rise.[3]
Groom played collegiate soccer with Texas A&M Aggies. She capped a decorated college career with 16 goals and seven assists in 26 matches in 2014. She ranked third in the Southeastern Conference and 19th in the nation for goals, which helped her win the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award.[citation needed]
She recorded 41 goals and 25 assists in 84 career matches for the Aggies.[4]
Groom was selected by FC Kansas City as the 12th overall pick of the 2015 NWSL College Draft.[5][6] She made her debut for Kansas City against Sky Blue FC on April 12, 2015.[7]
Shea scored her first goal for Kansas City in a 0–2 win over Houston Dash on May 2, 2015.[8]
Groom was named Player of the Week for week 13 of the 2015 National Women's Soccer League season after recording one goal and two assists against the Boston Breakers.[9] She was also named the team's rookie of the year for 2015.[10]
Groom appeared in the 2015 NWSL Championship game as a second-half substitute, FC Kansas City won the Championship with a 1–0 win over the Seattle Reign.[11]
On December 29, 2017, it was announced that Utah Royals FC had traded Groom along with teammate Christina Gibbons to Sky Blue FC and the no. 4 overall selection in the 2018 NWSL College Draft. The New Jersey club has acquired the players in exchange for the defender Kelley O'Hara, midfielder Taylor Lytle and the no. 25 overall pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.[12]
On January 15, 2019, Reign FC acquired Groom from Sky Blue FC.[13]
On February 3, 2020, Houston Dash acquired Groom, Megan Oyster, and a conditional draft pick from Reign FC in exchange for Sofia Huerta and Amber Brooks.[14]
Groom signed with the Chicago Red Stars (later named Chicago Stars FC) in January 2024.[15]
Groom has represented the United States at various youth levels. She played for the under-23 national team at the 2015 La Manga Tournament.[16] She started in all three matches and scored the first goal of the 2–0 victory over Norway.[17]
In October 2016, Groom received her first call-up to the United States women's national soccer team for a pair of friendlies against Switzerland. She did not play in either game.[18]
Groom's older sister, Kami, is a competitive ultimate player and has represented the United States on various national teams.[19]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Playoffs | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| FC Kansas City | 2015 | 13 | 4 | – | – | 2 | 0 | 15 | 4 |
| 2016 | 19 | 8 | – | – | – | – | 19 | 8 | |
| 2017 | 22 | 5 | – | – | – | – | 22 | 5 | |
| Total | 54 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 17 | |
| Sky Blue FC | 2018 | 21 | 2 | – | – | – | – | 21 | 2 |
| Reign FC | 2019 | 15 | 2 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| Total | 26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 4 | |
| Houston Dash | 2020 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | – | – | 11 | 6 |
| 2021 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 1 | – | – | 28 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | 7 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 12 | |
| Career total | 129 | 28 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 149 | 33 | |
FC Kansas City
Houston Dash
Individual
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