Kennedy Fuller won a soccer state championship with Carroll as a freshman. Her sophomore season she was named by Gatorade as the nation’s top soccer player. Now, in what would be her senior year of high school, Kennedy has already completed her first professional season with Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.
On June 19, 2024, while her classmates enjoyed the summer break, she scored her first professional goal, and in August scored the winning goal in a shootout. The local phenom was also nominated for the 2024 Young Female Player of the Year Award in her role as a captain of the US Youth National Team.
Kennedy, who turns 18 in March, is part of the NWSL’s new generation of young stars, but as her parents taught her, age doesn’t matter if you belong on the field.
I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY BLESSED… to have played in the top leagues my entire young career whether it be at Carroll, Solar or the US Youth National team. However, being able to play in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has been such an honor. I have been able to play against and with some of the best players in the world. The biggest difference I have experienced in the NWSL has been the speed of play and the level of competition you face every single match. As a result, it has required relentless focus and preparation - physically, mentally and psychologically.
MY PARENTS HAVE ALWAYS… embedded in our family that no matter your age, experience level or size, you can still perform at the highest level. Naturally, you will always have your doubts and fears, but as long as you find the courage and tenacity to face those fears, you will persevere. It hasn’t always been easy, but if it were easy, everyone would do it.
SCORING MY FIRST NWSL GOAL WAS… a surreal feeling. Being able to score at home, in LA, where you can feel the community and fans behind you in every moment was an experience of a lifetime. The atmosphere after the goal along with being able to celebrate with my teammates, family and friends was an experience I will never forget.
REGARDLESS OF IF I START OR COME OFF THE BENCH… I have always believed that you have to prepare for a game in the same way whether you are a starter or a game changer. I started 15 of my 24 matches played. For me, coming off the bench was equally as important as starting. You have to be prepared and ready for when your number is called, and that starts with pregame preparations, to warm up, to game analysis.
PLAYING FOR BOTH THE NWSL AND THE NATIONAL TEAM…. has been a dream come true. Both of the training levels are extremely high; the difference is in the learning environment. With the youth national team, you are learning, developing and improving constantly, but with Angel City you are playing with older players so you are expected to know how to analyze the game with a deeper understanding.
I STILL KEEP IN TOUCH WITH… a lot of the girls from our state championship team. The connections that were made on the Lady Dragon soccer team are so special to us. There are a handful of players that are going to be life-long friends.
PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS I ADMIRE ARE… Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Lindsey Horan and Jaedyn Shaw. They all demonstrate an attacking mindset and can accelerate and manipulate the ball in a multitude of ways.
AS THE CALENDAR TURNS TO 2025… my schedule is pretty packed. We report for the NWSL preseason and officially start playing games in March, which runs through November. During the FIFA windows, the US National team will hold camps and friendlies. Being a part of the National team is an honor that can’t be taken for granted. Wearing the crest is something you have to earn each and every camp. With that being said, I hope that I will be able to participate in the next cycle with the U-20s, U-23s and the United States Women’s National Team.