Still Just Getting Started: 20-Year-Old Midfielder’s Remarkable Career Before 20 and on
Earlier this week, the Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie turned 20, and because of this milestone for this young athlete, many within the NWSL are reflecting on her soccer experience as a teenager. Her extensive career is quite impressive. Signed to play professional soccer at the age of 13 back in 2019, Moltrie has continued to show that she was born with surreal talent. She has been a proud player for the Thorns since 2021 and was recorded as the youngest player Portland has ever signed at the age of 15. Since then, she has continued to pave the way for young female athletes as she holds various records as a young teenage professional athlete.
Moltires’ current portfolio could not be more incredible. Right before her 20th birthday, Moultrie set a new record for the most goals scored by a teenage professional athlete in the NWSL during her previous game last week against the Chicago Stars FC. She has also been a player for the USWNT in 2023 at the age of 18. As her experience continues to grow, she continues to play with the Thorns as a consistent player. Moltires is very reliable on the pitch, working as an attacking midfielder, providing added support to her offensive line. She can also be seen as one of the players primarily taking corner kicks and free kicks for her team. Like last night, the Portland Thorns were able to score a goal against the San Diego Wave from a free kick taken by Moltire that was later finished by Portland defender Reyna Reyes.
Moltire has various skills, but what makes her such a quick and fascinating player is her sense of perception and outlook on the overall field. From her early teenage years till now, her speed of play can match many of her teammates’, allowing her to be a great supporting and attacking midfielder. Although she may have recently turned 20 and her title as one of the youngest players in the NWSL is changing, that doesn’t mean she is done making her mark in professional women’s soccer. Back in 2024, she signed an extended contract with the Thorns until the end of 2026, demonstrating their mutual faith in each other as both team and player, excited to work together for another year. Until then, she has a lot of time to advance her skills and maybe, if she feels up to it, be ready for a new chapter within her soccer career. Whether continuing to play with the Thorns for many more years or starting a new chapter, Moultrie is only just getting started as she enters her 20s!
