# Tara McKeown

Tara Leana McKeown (born July 2, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Washington Spirit and the United States national team Formerly a forward, she played college soccer for the USC Trojans before being drafted eighth overall by the Spirit in the 2021 NWSL Draft.

## Early life

Born to Conor and Tracy McKeown in Newbury Park, California, McKeown was raised with two sisters and one brother. She attended Newbury Park High School, where she played soccer and competed in hurdles in track.

## College career

McKeown attended the University of Southern California and featured in 76 matches for the Trojans from 2017 to 2021. In her freshman year, McKeown appeared in all 20 games during the season and was included 2017 Pac-12 All-Freshman team. In her junior year, McKeown transitioned from playing as a fullback to a forward. She finished the year with 15 goals and 8 assists, getting named the 2019 Pac-12 Forward of the Year and becoming a semifinalist for the Mac Hermann Trophy. In her final year of college, McKeown started all 14 games and led the team in assists.

## Club career

The Washington Spirit selected McKeown with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NWSL Draft. Earlier, the Spirit had traded $100,000 in NWSL allocation money and its second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft to Sky Blue FC in order to obtain the pick. After being selected, McKeown chose to play in her final year with USC before joining the Spirit after the college soccer season concluded.
On May 15, 2021, the Spirit signed McKeown to a two-year contract with an option for a third year. The next day, she made her NWSL debut, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute for Ashley Sanchez in a 1–1 draw with the Orlando Pride. On September 26, 2021, McKeown scored her first goal for the Spirit in a game vs Kansas City in a 2–1 victory. Later in the season, McKeown appeared in the 2021 NWSL Championship, helping the Spirit beat the Chicago Red Stars in a 2–1 result and earn the first NWSL Championship win in club history. McKeown directly contributed to the victory, drawing a penalty in the 66th minute of the match after being fouled in the box by Chicago defender Tierna Davidson. McKeown's teammate, Andi Sullivan, converted the penalty kick and drew the two teams level.
On January 19, 2023, the Spirit announced that the club had re-signed McKeown on a three-year contract with a team option for 2026. At the start of the 2023 NWSL season, McKeown was converted from a forward into a center back. She played in 21 of the 22 regular season matches for the Spirit, leading the NWSL in clearances. On June 21, 2023, McKeown was selected as the NWSL Player of the Week after scoring 2 goals (in separate competitions) and making several important defensive actions.
McKeown played every minute of the 2024 season for the Spirit, becoming an iron woman for the first time. During the Spirit's quarterfinal playoff game against Bay FC, McKeown scored a goal from outside the box in the 86th minute. Her strike equalized the score at 1–1, pushing the game into extra time. The Spirit would later go on to win the match 2–1, advancing to the semifinals. Washington went to on advance to the championship game, losing to the Orlando Pride.
Washington got some revenge for their championship loss by defeating Orlando in the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup on penalties. McKeown scored the winning penalty kick in the shootout.

## International career

McKeown has played internationally for the United States women's national under-20 soccer team. On July 17, 2018, McKeown was named to the roster for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, alongside USC teammate Savannah DeMelo. McKeown appeared in the starting lineup for the United States in the team's second group stage match, versus Paraguay.
In 2019, McKeown was a member of the United States women's national under-23 soccer team. She was part of the squad that participated in the 2019 Women’s International U-23 La Manga Tournament. McKeown was the lone goalscorer for the United States in its second match of the competition, a 3–1 loss against France. The goal was McKeown's first international goal at any level.
McKeown received her first call-up to the senior national team in January 2025. She earned her first cap on February 20, 2025 in a SheBelieves Cup game against Colombia, a 2–0 win.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of February 9, 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Playoffs | Playoffs | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Washington Spirit | 2021 | NWSL | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 23 | 1 |
| Washington Spirit | 2022 | NWSL | 12 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 3 |
| Washington Spirit | 2023 | NWSL | 21 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 2 |
| Washington Spirit | 2024 | NWSL | 26 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 79 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 94 | 7 |
* ↑ Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
* ↑ Includes NWSL Playoffs
* ↑ Includes the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

### International

    As of match played February 26, 2025
| National Team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| United States | 2025 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 3 | 0 |

## Honors

Washington Spirit
* NWSL Championship: 2021
* NWSL Challenge Cup: 2025
Individual
* NWSL Best XI Second Team: 2024