The 2024 NWSL season has been the year for rookies, with many of the top draft picks impressing right from the start. A special mention goes to Emma Sears, whose performances for Racing Louisville FC have earned her recognition and even 2 caps for USWNT under head coach Emma Hayes. With the forward already finding the back of the net for the Stars and Stripes, she is likely to be among the key players for the national team going forward. 

Born on February 23, 2001, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, she has lived in England and Laguna Beach, California, before settling down in Dublin, Ohio. Sears earned her first cap in a friendly 3-1 win over Iceland, where she assisted Lynn Williams and later scored herself, becoming the first player to score and assist on her USWNT debut since Christen Press in 2013. Here’s everything you need to know about the Louisville forward. 

From college fields to NWSL: Emma Sears’ career path

Emma’s soccer journey began at Dublin Jerome High School, where she was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter for the girls’ soccer team. Her high school performances led to her First Team All-Ohio honors in both her junior and senior years. She also played club soccer at the Ohio Premier for 5 years. 

In the 5 seasons that she’s played, she made 83 appearances with 25 goals, which ranked her 12th in the program’s history. She’s also among 4 other players with multiple hattricks, and her 213 shot attempts rank her in the Top 10. Athletics aside, she also graduated from Ohio State with a degree in health sciences as well as a minor in nutrition. 

It’s these college performances that led her to be drafted by Racing Louisville FC in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft. She managed to bag 5 goals in her debut season, and her contract was extended through the 2026 season. Unlike many players, Sears was called straight to the USWNT senior team, skipping the U-21 and U-18 levels. 

Personal life and future ahead

Her family includes her parents, Robin and Lindsay Sears, and her twin sister, Bronwen. The Sears family has a deep connection to the game, with both sisters sharing a mutual passion for the game. Bronwen played collegiate soccer for the Miami RedHawks. Emma is also in a happy relationship with professional tennis player J.J. Wolf.

The two met while attending Ohio State University and began dating in November 2020. With her talent, supportive family, and a promising career ahead, the 23-year-old is set to make headlines in soccer. With Emma Hayes sidelining key players for the upcoming friendly at Wembley, perhaps Sears will get her chance to shine in front of 80,000 spectators. Only time will tell if she gets her third cap or not.