Abby Dahlkemper
A rock-solid American defender whose precise passing and vision from the backline became a cornerstone of the US women's soccer dynasty.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American soccer player·Birthday: May 13·Millennials
Biography
Abby Dahlkemper’s soccer story is one of quiet excellence and technical mastery in a position often defined by brute force. Growing up in Pennsylvania, she honed her game at UCLA, becoming a collegiate star known for her composure on the ball. Drafted into the NWSL, she quickly established herself as a defensive linchpin, most notably for the North Carolina Courage, where her ability to launch attacks with long, diagonal passes revolutionized the team's build-up play. Her club success opened the door to the US national team, where her partnership at center-back provided the stable foundation for the 2019 World Cup triumph. After overcoming a serious back injury that threatened her career, Dahlkemper fought her way back to the highest level, her journey reflecting a resilience as impressive as her trademark passes.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Abby was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Abby Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Abby's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019 as a starting defender for the United States national team.
- Helped the North Carolina Courage win back-to-back NWSL Championships in 2018 and 2019.
- Was named the NWSL Defender of the Year in 2017.
- Earned an Olympic bronze medal with the US team at the 2020 Tokyo Games (held in 2021).
Did You Know?
She was the first overall pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft, selected by the Western New York Flash.
Dahlkemper is known for her exceptional passing range and often leads her teams in completed passes.
She played collegiate soccer at UCLA, where she was a two-time All-American.
She overcame a serious back injury (a stress fracture in her lumbar spine) that sidelined her for much of 2022.
“My job is to break lines and start the attack from the back.”
