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Sydney Collins
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Sydney Jane Collins (born September 8, 1999) is a professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Born in the United States, she plays for the Canada national team. She played college soccer for the California Golden Bears and was drafted by the North Carolina Courage in the first round of the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Key Information
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Early life
[edit]Collins began playing soccer at age eight with Hillsboro SC.[2] She later played for the FC Portland Soccer Academy and the Portland Thorns Development Academy.[3][4]
She attended Jesuit High School in Oregon, where she was a four-year starter on the varsity soccer team, serving as team captain for her final two years.[5] She was a two-time state champion in 2015 and 2017, a two-time First Team All-State, voted to the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI for the High School Girls All-American Game, and was a 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team.[4] She was also named the 2017-18 Oregon Girls Soccer Player of the Year.[6]
College career
[edit]In 2018, she began attending the University of California, Berkeley, where she played for the women's soccer team.[7] In her sophomore season in 2019, she was named a Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll Selection and CoSIDA Academic District 8 First Team Honoree.[4] In her junior season, she was named team captain, and was named to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll once again.[4] She also scored her first collegiate goal on March 5, 2021, against the Colorado Buffaloes.[8] In her senior season, she was named to the Third Team All-Pac-12, the CoSIDA Academic All-District Second Team and the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.[9][10] In 2022, she was named Pac-12 Defender of the Week for two consecutive weeks.[11][12] She was also an Academic All-District Team for the third time,[13] was named to the All-Pacific Region Second Team,[14] and the All-Pac-12 Second Team.[15]
Club career
[edit]North Carolina Courage
[edit]Collins was selected by the North Carolina Courage in the first round (8th overall) of the 2023 NWSL Draft.[16][17][18] She signed a three-year contract with the club.[19] She made her professional debut on April 1, 2023, playing nine minutes in a 3–1 loss to the San Diego Wave.[20] She played in 10 games, with two starts, in all competitions during her rookie season with the Courage.[21]
Collins missed the entire 2024 season after sustaining fractures in both legs months apart while training with Canada.[22][23] In July 2025, she returned to the active roster and played for the first time in over a year in the Courage's friendly against Guadalajara.[24]
Bay FC
[edit]On August 22, 2025, Bay FC acquired Collins by trading $60,000 in intra-league transfer funds to the Courage, signing her through the 2027 season.[25] Collins made her debut on September 1, 2025, coming on as a halftime substitute for Kelli Hubly in a 2–1 loss to Angel City FC.[26]
International career
[edit]Collins was eligible to play for the United States (where she and her father were born) and Canada (where her mother was born).[16] In April 2016, she was called up to a camp with the United States U17 team.[3] In February 2022, she played with the United States U23 team at the Portland Thorns Preseason Tournament, where they faced professional teams from the NWSL.[27][28]
In February 2023, Collins joined the Canada women's team as a training player for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup.[29] She was then subsequently named to the roster in April for a friendly against France, making her debut on April 11.[30]
After not making the Canadian roster for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team would go on to suffer a disappointing group stage exit, Collins was called up for the team's next fixtures in September, a two-leg CONCACAF Olympic qualification playoff against Jamaica. Following training camp, she said "I think we have a really good energy about the group coming together and trying to move forward."[31] Despite having only played fourteen minutes in her lone prior international appearance, with Canada seeking to reorganize following the World Cup, coach Bev Priestman opted to start Collins in the first match, citing her strong camp performance.[32] This was widely cited as a "surprise" move, but Collins' performance was generally assessed positively, and she ultimately started both matches, which saw Canada defeat Jamaica and qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[33][34] She was originally named to the squad for the Olympics, but was forced to withdraw after suffering a fractured leg in a warmup match ahead of the tournament.[35]
Collins made her return from injury to the national team in October 2025, being called up for a camp in Europe with friendly matches against Switzerland and the Netherlands.[36]
Personal life
[edit]Collins is the daughter of former National Football League and Canadian Football League player Brett Collins.[37]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played October 22, 2023
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | National cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| North Carolina Courage | 2023 | National Women's Soccer League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6[a] | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Career total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
- ^ Appearances in the NWSL Challenge Cup
References
[edit]- ^ "The Class of 2022, University of California, Berkeley: Bachelor's Degree Candidates" (PDF). Class of 2022 Commencement. Berkeley, California: University of California, Berkeley. May 14, 2022. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ Sydney Collins at Canada Soccer
- ^ a b "Sydney Collins Invited to U17 National Camp!". FC Portland Academy. April 11, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Sydney Collins California Golden Bears profile". California Golden Bears.
- ^ "Sydney Collins '18 Chosen First Round in NWSL Draft". Jesuit High School. January 13, 2023.
- ^ "2017-18 Oregon Girls Soccer Player of the Year - Sydney Collins". Gatorade Player of the Year.
- ^ "Bears Ink Four On Signing Day". California Golden Bears. February 7, 2018.
- ^ "No. 10 Bears Fall in Home Opener". California Golden Bears. March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Eight Bears Named To CoSida Academic All-District Team". California Golden Bears. November 11, 2021.
- ^ "Five Bears Earn Pac-12 Honors". California Golden Bears. November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Collins, Anderson Take Home Weekly Honors". California Golden Bears. September 12, 2022.
- ^ "Collins Named Pac-12 Defender of the Week". California Golden Bears. September 19, 2022.
- ^ "Cal Places Six On Academic All-District Team". California Golden Bears. November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Cal Trio Earns All-Region Honors". California Golden Bears. November 29, 2022.
- ^ "Three Bears Earn All-Conference Honors". California Golden Bears. November 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Camberos, Jovana (January 16, 2023). "Defensive power duo Collins, Anderson drafted into NWSL". The Daily Californian.
- ^ "Collins, Anderson Selected in 2023 NWSL Draft". California Golden Bears. January 12, 2023.
- ^ Ingemi, Marisa (January 12, 2023). "Sydney Collins, Izzy D'Aquila and Sierra Enge lead strong Bay Area group taken in NWSL draft". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ "NC Courage Sign All 2023 Draftees to Three-Year Contracts with Team". Courage Country. March 13, 2023.
- ^ Steiner, Ben (April 3, 2023). "Canadians thriving in NWSL, Europe ahead of April friendly against France". CBC Sports.
- ^ "Sydney Collins 2023 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "NC Courage Activate Defender Sydney Collins". North Carolina Courage. 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "COC Statement regarding Sydney Collins". Canadian Soccer Association. 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "Match Recap: NC Courage 4-0 Chivas de Guadalajara Femenil". North Carolina Courage. 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "Bay FC Signs Canadian International Defender Sydney Collins Through 2027". Bay FC. 2025-08-22. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ "Match Recap: Bay FC Falls 2-1 at Angel City FC in Labor Day Matchup". Bay FC. 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- ^ "Bears Excel On International Stage". California Golden Bears. April 11, 2022.
- ^ "Sydney Collins Earns U.S. U23 Call-Up". California Golden Bears. February 23, 2022.
- ^ Rhodes, Benedict (February 13, 2023). "CanWNT reveals squad ahead of 2023 SheBelieves Cup". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ "Canada comeback bid falls short in loss to France during women's World Cup tune-up". CBC Sports. April 11, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Davidson, Neil (September 21, 2023). "Canada women looking forward not back as they take on Reggae Girlz in Olympic playoff". The Globe & Mail. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Meaghen (September 26, 2023). "Ahead of crucial Olympic qualifier, 'composed' Collins turning heads with CanWNT". TSN. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ "CanWNT beats Jamaica to take lead into second leg of Olympic qualifier". TSN. September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Molinaro, John F. (September 27, 2023). "Maturing Canadians will get chance to defend Olympic title". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ "Canada women's soccer player Sydney Collins to miss Olympics with fractured leg". CBC Sports. July 20, 2024.
- ^ Davidson, Neil (October 13, 2025). "Canada coach Casey Stoney looks for Canadian women to rebound from U.S. loss". The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ^ "Sydney Collins lone Canadian selected in 2023 NWSL Draft". Canadian Soccer Daily. January 13, 2023.
External links
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Sydney Collins
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Early life and youth career
Upbringing and family background
Sydney Collins was born on September 8, 1999, in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States.[2] She grew up in nearby Beaverton, Oregon, as the daughter of Brett Collins and Sue Collins.[2] Her father, Brett, born in Sheridan, Wyoming, pursued a professional football career, playing as a linebacker in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1993 and the Los Angeles Rams in 1994, before joining the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts in 1995.[5] Her mother, Sue, was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, and competed as a beach volleyball player.[2] The Collins family maintained a strong athletic orientation, with both parents having backgrounds in competitive sports.[2] This environment shaped Sydney's upbringing, fostering her initial interest in athletics from a young age. She participated in multiple sports, including soccer, track and field, and softball, during her early years in Oregon.[2] Her father's professional experiences in high-level football likely contributed to a household that emphasized discipline, physical fitness, and competitive drive, influencing her development as an athlete.[3]High school and club soccer development
Collins attended Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon, where she was a four-year starter on the varsity girls' soccer team and a two-year captain.[6][3] During her tenure, she helped lead the Crusaders to Class 6A state championships in 2015 and 2017, contributing defensively to undefeated seasons, including a 19-0 record in her senior year of 2017-18.[3][7] Her standout performance that season earned her the 2017-18 Gatorade Oregon Girls Soccer Player of the Year award, recognizing her as the top high school player in the state with three goals, five assists, and strong leadership on the backline.[7][8] Beyond high school, Collins developed through elite club soccer in the Portland area, beginning her organized play at age eight with Hillsboro SC before advancing to the FC Portland Soccer Academy.[2][9] She later joined the Portland Thorns Development Academy from 2016 to 2017, training under head coach Kyle Steinbaugh in a program affiliated with the NWSL's Portland Thorns FC, which provided high-level competition and exposure to professional coaching environments.[3] These affiliations honed her skills as a central defender, emphasizing tactical awareness and physicality through participation in regional and national youth tournaments.[9] Collins' family athletic heritage, with her mother Susan having played professional beach volleyball in Canada and her father Brett competing in the NFL, served as an early motivator for her competitive drive.[10][3] Due to her parents' births—her father in Wyoming, USA, and her mother in Scarborough, Ontario—she held dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship from a young age, prompting early considerations for eligibility with youth national teams from both countries.[9][2] This background influenced her pathway, as she initially trained with U.S. youth squads while maintaining options for Canada.[9]College career
Time at University of California, Berkeley
Sydney Collins committed to the University of California, Berkeley, in February 2018, signing a national letter of intent to join the California Golden Bears women's soccer team as a defender.[11] Over her five-year tenure from 2018 to 2022, she appeared in 85 games, making 84 starts and accumulating 7,644 minutes while scoring one goal.[4] As a freshman in 2018, Collins quickly earned a starting role at center back, appearing in 13 games and contributing to two shutouts before an injury sidelined her for the final six matches of the season.[3] In her sophomore year of 2019, she started 20 of 21 games, anchoring the defense that recorded 10 shutouts and helped the team finish second in the Pac-12 with a 0.68 goals-against average.[3] The 2020 season was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a shortened schedule of just 13 games for the Golden Bears, which Collins started in full.[3] She led all outfield players with 1,173 minutes played, including 90-plus minutes in 10 matches, and scored her lone collegiate goal against Colorado.[3] Collins served as team captain during the 2020-21 and 2021 seasons, starting all 17 games in 2021 and logging 1,559 minutes while recording a team-high four assists.[3] In her fifth year in 2022, she continued as a defensive mainstay, earning Pac-12 Defender of the Week honors for two consecutive weeks in September after helping secure back-to-back shutouts.[12]Academic and athletic achievements
During her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Sydney Collins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies with a minor in Education in 2022. She was recognized for her academic excellence with three selections to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll in 2019, 2020, and 2021, an honor requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additionally, Collins received Pac-12 All-Academic honors three times, acknowledging her balance of scholarly performance and athletic participation. She also garnered CoSIDA Academic All-District recognition three times, in 2019, 2021, and 2022, with her 2022 selection marking her third such accolade. On the athletic front, Collins earned All-Pac-12 honors twice, securing Third Team recognition in 2021 and Second Team in 2022 for her defensive contributions. In 2022, she was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region team, highlighting her regional impact as a defender. That same year, she was awarded Pac-12 Defender of the Week twice, on September 12 and 19, for standout performances against conference opponents. Collins demonstrated leadership as a team captain during her senior year in 2021 and fifth year in 2022, guiding the Bears' defense in key matches. These academic and athletic achievements underscored her versatility and reliability, positioning her as a top prospect and leading to her selection as the eighth overall pick by the North Carolina Courage in the 2023 NWSL College Draft.Professional club career
2023 NWSL Draft and North Carolina Courage
Collins was selected by the North Carolina Courage with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NWSL College Draft on January 12, 2023, following a distinguished college career at the University of California, Berkeley that included All-Pac-12 honors.[13][6] The Courage signed her to a professional contract on March 13, 2023, ahead of the season opener.[13] Collins made her professional debut for the Courage on April 1, 2023, as a substitute in a 1–3 away loss to San Diego Wave FC, entering in the 82nd minute.[14] In her rookie season, she appeared in four matches, starting two, and accumulated 194 minutes of playing time.[4] Defensively, she demonstrated efficiency by winning 63.64% of her duels and 90% of her tackles during those outings.[4] Collins missed the entire 2024 NWSL season due to multiple injuries sustained while on international duty with Canada. In February 2024, she suffered a fracture to her right leg during preseason preparations, which sidelined her from the start of the campaign.[15] She was progressing toward recovery by July 2024 but incurred another fracture to her left ankle during Olympic preparation matches, leading to her withdrawal from the Canadian Olympic roster on July 20, 2024, and extending her absence through the year.[16][17][4]2025 transfer to Bay FC
On August 22, 2025, Bay FC acquired defender Sydney Collins from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for $60,000 in 2025 intra-league transfer funds, allowing her to join the team immediately for the final matches of the NWSL regular season.[18] Five days later, the club signed her to a new two-year contract extension through the 2027 season, with a team option for 2028, securing her long-term commitment to the Bay Area franchise.[19] This move bolstered Bay FC's defensive depth as they navigated a challenging campaign, with Collins bringing her experience as a Canadian international and former University of California standout back to her home region. Collins made an immediate impact, appearing in nine matches for Bay FC during the 2025 season, including eight starts, and logging 765 minutes on the pitch.[20] She debuted on September 1, 2025, entering as a halftime substitute in a 2–1 loss to Angel City FC, before earning consecutive starts in the subsequent eight fixtures against teams including Kansas City Current, Orlando Pride, and her former club, North Carolina Courage. Her defensive contributions were notable in maintaining composure under pressure, particularly in a late-season stretch where Bay FC recorded three clean sheets across her starts, helping stabilize the backline amid the team's overall record of four wins, eight draws, and fourteen losses.[21] In integrating into Bay FC's defensive unit, Collins adapted quickly alongside center backs like Emily Menges and Kelli Hubly, forming a more cohesive line that emphasized aerial duels and progressive passing from the back—areas where she ranked highly in duel win percentages during her appearances.[22] A standout performance came in the October 17, 2025, home match against the North Carolina Courage, where she played the full 90 minutes despite the 4–1 defeat, contributing to 4 clearances and limiting the Courage's penetration through the center in a emotionally charged return to facing her prior team.[23] Her consistent availability marked a significant recovery from prior injuries during her Courage tenure, including a 2024 ankle fracture that sidelined her for months, enabling her to play every available minute post-transfer without recurrence.[1] This resurgence culminated in her selection to the Canada Women's National Team roster for the October international window, her first senior call-up since the injury.[1]International career
Eligibility, debut, and early caps
Born in Hillsboro, Oregon, to an American father and a Canadian mother, Sydney Collins held dual citizenship and was eligible to represent either the United States or Canada at the senior international level.[2][24] Having previously played for U.S. youth national teams, she committed to Canada in early 2023, aligning with her family heritage and desire to compete for the nation of her mother's birth.[9][2] Collins received her initial senior national team call-up in February 2023 as a training player for the SheBelieves Cup, where she impressed coaches with her defensive versatility during camp sessions. This opportunity highlighted her selection based on strong college performances at the University of California, Berkeley, and early professional showings after being drafted by the NWSL's North Carolina Courage. Her transition to the Canadian program emphasized a focus on emerging defenders capable of contributing to both central and full-back roles in a competitive backline.[25] She made her senior debut for Canada on April 11, 2023, appearing as a substitute in a friendly match against France in Le Mans, France, marking her first cap in a 2-1 loss.[26][27] Collins earned subsequent call-ups for additional friendlies and the Concacaf W Olympic Play-In series, where she secured her first start on September 22, 2023, in a 2-0 victory over Jamaica.[28] By December 2023, she had accumulated six caps, primarily as a defender in preparatory matches and qualifiers, demonstrating reliability in high-pressure environments under head coach Bev Priestman.[1][29]Participation in major tournaments
Collins began her participation in major international tournaments with the Canadian women's national team during the 2024 CONCACAF W Olympic Play-In Series in September 2023, where she featured in the playoff matches against Jamaica that secured Canada's qualification for the Paris Olympics on a 4-1 aggregate score.[2] Her defensive contributions helped maintain clean sheets in key moments, supporting the team's advancement. Despite earning a spot on the 18-player roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Collins was forced to withdraw on July 20, 2024, after sustaining a fractured left ankle during a closed-door training match against Nigeria on July 18.[30][31] She was replaced by defender Gabrielle Carle on the active roster, with midfielder Desiree Scott added as an alternate.[32][17] Collins made her return to the national team in October 2025, selected for Canada's post-Olympic European tour featuring friendlies against Switzerland on October 24 and the Netherlands on October 28 as part of the FIFA international window.[1][33] Canada lost 1-0 to Switzerland and 1-0 to the Netherlands; Collins did not feature in either match. These matches marked her first senior call-up since her injury, building on her six appearances from 2023 that positioned her for tournament selection.[2]Personal life and playing attributes
Family and personal interests
Sydney Collins was born on September 8, 1999, in Hillsboro, Oregon, to parents Brett and Sue Collins, both accomplished athletes who instilled an early appreciation for sports in their family. Her father, Brett, played linebacker in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams from 1992 to 1994 before continuing his career in the CFL, while her mother, Sue, competed as a professional beach volleyball player in Canada after growing up in Scarborough, Ontario. Raised in Beaverton, Oregon, Collins grew up in a household shaped by her parents' athletic backgrounds, participating in soccer, track and field, and softball from a young age.[2][34][3] Beyond soccer, Collins maintains a variety of personal interests that reflect her well-rounded lifestyle, including running, listening to music, watching movies, and enjoying good food. Among her favorite soccer figures from childhood are defenders Vincent Kompany, Virgil van Dijk, and Kyle Walker, and she has long supported Manchester City FC. She also draws inspiration from non-soccer athletes such as tennis star Serena Williams and basketball legend Kobe Bryant, while following teams like the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, and NFL's San Francisco 49ers.[2][9] Following her transfer to Bay FC in August 2025, Collins relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she had previously lived during her college years at the University of California, Berkeley, embracing the region's vibrant athletic and cultural scene.[18]Playing style and career statistics
Sydney Collins is recognized as a versatile defender capable of playing multiple positions across the backline, including left back and center back, with a strong emphasis on defensive solidity and transitional play. Standing at 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), she excels in aerial duels, leveraging her height for effective heading and clearances, while her technical profile highlights a 90% tackle success rate and 63.64% duel-winning percentage during her early professional appearances.[4][35] Her leadership qualities, demonstrated as a team captain at the University of California, Berkeley, translate to on-field organization, where she contributes to maintaining defensive structure and initiating attacks from the back.[3] Following a series of injuries that sidelined her throughout much of 2024, including missing the Paris Olympics, Collins returned in 2025 with notable improvements in her playing time and consistency, logging over three times the minutes she had in her 2023 rookie season while adapting to a more prominent role at Bay FC.[2][29] This progression underscores her resilience and growing impact as a reliable starter, with enhanced contributions in interceptions and clearances compared to her initial NWSL outings.[36]Club Career Statistics (NWSL)
| Season | Club | Appearances | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Tackles Won | Interceptions | Clearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | North Carolina Courage | 4 | 2 | 196 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| 2025 | Bay FC | 9 | 8 | 765 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 17 | 38 |
International Career Statistics (Canada)
| Year | Appearances | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 4 | 360+ | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 4 | 360+ | 0 | 1 |