TCU Soccer: Gracie Brian Invited To NWSL Preseason Camp With San Diego Wave FC
Gracie Brian is headed to San Diego Wave FC, where she will join the club in its preseason camp.
Brian had an illustrious five-year career as a Horned Frog from 2019 to 2023, cementing herself as one of the best to ever grace the program.
Gracie Brian (17) chases down the ball keep it in play for TCU.
Brian McLean, On Assignment Photo/KillerFrogs
In her first year as a Horned Frog, she was one of six players to start in all 22 games. Following a tremendous season where she notched nine goals and four assists, Brian was named to the 2019 Big 12 All-Freshman Team and ranked No. 52 on TopDrawerSoccer’s Top 100 Freshman.
Her success continued throughout her career with TCU, where she started 101 games, tallying 35 career goals, 27 assists, and over 8,300 minutes. She is a three-time 1st-Team All-Big 12 selection and a four-time 1st-Team Academic All-Big 12
| GP | GS | G | A | PTS | SH | SOG | MIN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 22 | 22 | 9 | 4 | 22 | 57 | 21 | 1840 |
2020 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 30 | 10 | 1405 |
2021 | 24 | 24 | 9 | 10 | 28 | 64 | 24 | 2028 |
2022 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 57 | 26 | 1515 |
2023 | 19 | 19 | 9 | 3 | 21 | 51 | 19 | 1592 |
Total | 101 | 101 | 35 | 27 | 97 | 259 | 100 | 8380 |
Founded in 2021, San Diego Wave FC joined the NWSL as an expansion team in the 2022 season. In the club’s inaugural season, the Wave punched their ticket to the NWSL playoffs, achieving a berth in the semi-finals before losing to the Portland Thorns. In 2023, the Wave secured the NWSL Shield–the annual award given to the NWSL team with the best regular season record. Despite a fabulous season, the club was eliminated in the semi-finals by OL Reign (now the Seattle Reign).
Brian joins a franchise full of talent and experience. President Jill Ellis had a historic coaching career, where she most notably coached the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) from 2014 to 2019, with whom she won two Women's World Cups in 2015 and 2019.
Wave head coach Casey Stone played with Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Lincoln, and Liverpool over her 20-year career. She then became manager of Manchester United of the Women’s Super League (WSL) from 2018 to 2021. After her time in Manchester, she took a job with the San Diego Wave and has managed there ever since.
The Wave also has one of the most talented, influential players in the world with forward Alex Morgan. In her 16 years in professional soccer, Morgan has won two Women's World Cups (2015 and 2019) alongside her former coach Ellis. Morgan has also taken home a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Nov 5, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Wave FC forward Alex Morgan (13) warms up before the NWSL championship semifinal game against the OL Reign at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
It is an exciting time for TCU Soccer and Brian, who has earned a spot in preseason camp with the San Diego Wave. The 2024 NWSL regular season will kick-off on March 16.
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