Speaking of athletes going pro straight after high school, LeBron James is perhaps the first name that comes to most people’s minds. Well, James waited until after high school to declare for the NBA draft. Meanwhile, NWSL star Alyssa Thompson had a semester to complete when Angel City FC selected her as their first draft pick in 2023. The following year, Alyssa’s sister, Gisele Thompson, would also follow suit to join Angel City straight out of high school. The Thompson sisters owe a part of their swashbuckling success to their father, Mario Thompson, who handed them bizarre challenges during their school days.

During his youth, Mario Thompson tried his hand at a myriad of sports, including football. So, it is no surprise he has raised two soccer prodigies. Then what about Alyssa and Gisele’s mother? What does she do? Let’s find out.

Meet Alyssa and Gisele Thompson’s parents- Mario Thompson and Karen

Alyssa and Gisele’s parents, Mario and Karen Thompson, are San Fernando natives. They have a third daughter named Zoe, who is currently 12. Notably, Mario is of Filipino descent, while Karen is of Italian and Peruvian descent. Thanks to their parents’ roots, Alyssa and Gisele are eligible to represent four national teams in their careers. But both preferred the USWNT. Alyssa Thompson debuted for the US senior team in 2022 and featured at the 2023 FIFA World Cup. Gisele, on the other hand, awaits a senior team call-up.

Mario Thompson currently works as a school principal. Thompson’s wife, Karen, is an occupational therapist. Their current professions aside, Mario and Karen have a sporting story to tell. Mario played football and basketball and ran track and field at Alemany and Occidental College. Meanwhile, Karen has played basketball during her youth. Because of Mario’s experience as a young athlete, he believed that his daughters were not being adequately pushed. Here is how Mario forced his daughters to go the extra mile.

What bizarre challenge did Alyssa Thompson and Gisele face while they grew up?

Before joining high school, Alyssa Thompson played in a league that featured girls four years senior. The age gap did nothing to slow a young Alyssa down. She tallied 48 goals and 17 assists in 18 games at Harvard Westlake School! Anyhow, the Angel City star’s sublime stats did not impress her father, Mario. As if playing against four-year-old girls was not enough, Mario took his daughters out of their current team and sent them to the LA-based Total Futbol Academy to play against boys! Back in the day, the Thompson sisters were the first girls to do so.

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“Playing with the boys, it definitely prepared me to play with the pros,” Alyssa Thompson said ahead of competing in the 2023 FIFA World Cup for the USWNT. Alyssa currently has four goals in 22 Angel City appearances to her credit.

Meanwhile, Gisele debuted in the 2024 NWSL season in an Angel City-Bay FC tie, where she came in as a substitute for her sister Alyssa. What are your thoughts on the stunning soccer duo and their lesser-known family history? Tell us in the comments.

READ MORE: Alyssa Thompson Picked As Favorite to Win USWNT’s Young Female Player of the Year Award