Sam Mewis
A towering, technically brilliant midfielder who was a central pillar of the USWNT's 2019 World Cup triumph before a devastating knee injury cut her prime short.
Born 1992 (age 34)·American soccer player·Birthday: October 9·Millennials
Biography
Sam Mewis stood out on the pitch—literally and figuratively. At 5'11", her physical presence in midfield was matched by a rare technical grace, able to control tempo, break lines with passing, and arrive in the box to score crucial goals. Nicknamed 'The Tower of Power,' her rise was steady: a national championship at UCLA, a foundational role with the NWSL's North Carolina Courage where she won multiple titles, and a hard-earned spot on the U.S. women's national team. Her pinnacle came at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, where she started every match, providing a dominant two-way engine in the heart of the team that lifted the trophy. Tragically, a series of knee injuries, including multiple surgeries, forced her into early retirement in 2024. In her post-playing career, she has quickly become an influential voice in the sport as an editor and podcast host, analyzing the game with the same intelligence she once played it.
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.
Sam was born in 1992, 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 Sam Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Sam's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the United States in 2019, starting all seven matches.
- Named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2020.
- Won back-to-back NWSL championships with the North Carolina Courage in 2018 and 2019.
- Scored a critical goal in the USWNT's 2019 World Cup semifinal victory over England.
Did You Know?
Her sister, Kristie Mewis, is also a professional soccer player who has played for the USWNT.
She is married to fellow professional soccer player Pat Johnson.
Mewis hosted a podcast with her sister called 'Snacks' before launching her role with Men in Blazers.
She played college soccer at UCLA alongside USWNT teammates like Abby Dahlkemper.
“I just want to be remembered as someone who left everything on the field and loved playing the game.”
