Kia McNeill

Kia McNeill
Kia Janeen McNeill (born May 15, 1986) is an American retired professional soccer defender who most recently played for the Boston Breakers in the NWSL. She previously played for the Saint Louis Athletica, Philadelphia Independence, and the Atlanta Beat in the WPS and was a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team.
Early life
McNeill was born and grew up in Avon, Connecticut and attended Avon High School. At Avon, she helped lead the women's soccer team to three straight Class M State Championships and three undefeated seasons. She was named 2003 State Player of the Year in Connecticut and was a two-time NSCAA High School All-American. She also earned letters in basketball and track. In 2010, McNeill was inducted into the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Boston College
McNeill was a four-year starter and played in 86 consecutive games at Boston College. She was a forward for her first three seasons and switched her senior season to defender. As a team captain, McNeill was considered crucial to the Eagles defense as it was ranked sixth in the country in goals-against-average (0.475). She finished her career as the eighth all-time leading scorer at Boston with 61 career points. Her final collegiate statistics included 86 games played, 24 goals and 13 assists. McNeill was named Big East Rookie of the Year and earned All-Big East First Team selection honors. She was also named by Soccer Buzz Magazine as the Northeast Freshman of the Year.
Playing career
Club
Kristianstads DFF
Two days after graduation at Boston College, McNeill flew to Sweden to begin her professional career as a member Kristianstads DFF in the Damallsvenskan.
St. Louis Athletica
McNeill was the ninth overall draft pick during the 2009 WPS Draft by the Saint Louis Athletica. During the 2009 WPS season, she appeared in 19 games for the Saint Louis Athletica, starting 17 times. She helped anchor a Saint Louis defense that allowed the second fewest goals in the WPS, the second fewest goals against average, and the second most shutouts.
Atlanta Beat (WPS)
In February 2010, McNeill was traded to the Atlanta Beat. She started all 19 games playing a total of 1624 minutes.
Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
During the 2011 WPS season, McNeill played for the expansion team, Philadelphia Independence. She started 17 of 17 games for a total of 1453 minutes and scored one goal.
Rossiyanka
After the WPS suspended operations in early 2012, McNeill made a small stint with Leigh Ann Robinson, Yael Averbuch, and Omolyn Davis playing for WFC Rossiyanka. She made one appearance, starting and playing the full ninety minutes.
Boston Breakers (NWSL)
In February 2013, it was announced that McNeill had signed with the Boston Breakers for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League. She started 21 of the Breakers' 22 2013 regular-season games, but announced that she would miss the 2014 season in order to focus on school and coaching work.
International
McNeill appeared in two matches for the US U-23 Women's National Team in La Manga, Spain. She was previously part of the U-19 Women's national team player pool
and scored four goals for the U-19 WNT at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Canada.
References
External links
US Soccer player profile
Philadelphia Independence player profile
Boston College player profile
1986 births
Living people
People from Avon, Connecticut
Sportspeople from Hartford County, Connecticut
American women's soccer coaches
American women's soccer players
African-American women's soccer players
20th-century African-American people
20th-century African-American women
21st-century African-American sportspeople
21st-century African-American women
Atlanta Beat (WPS) players
Bay State Select players
Boston Breakers players
Boston College Eagles women's soccer players
Brown Bears women's soccer coaches
National Women's Soccer League players
New York Fury players
Philadelphia Independence players
Saint Louis Athletica players
WFC Rossiyanka players
Women's association football defenders
Women's Premier Soccer League Elite players
Women's Premier Soccer League players
Women's Professional Soccer players
Soccer players from Connecticut