OL Reign Down Under: Sofia Huerta

OL Reign defender Sofia Huerta and the United States Women’s National Team are set to begin their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign tonight at 6:00 p.m. PT against Vietnam. After joining OL Reign in 2020, Huerta has been called up to the United States Women’s National Team for her first-ever World Cup.

LEAGUE PLAY

Huerta joined OL Reign in 2020, initially playing as a forward. In 2021, she made the transition to the backline, appearing in 23 games for the Reign and making 22 starts. She added one goal and six assists for OL Reign that season, tying her career best for assists and ranking second in the league. She earned NWSL Second XI honors for her fantastic efforts all over the field.

In 2022, the outside back started in 18 of 19 games played for OL Reign, only missing matches while away on international duty. Once again, Huerta created many chances for the Reign throughout the season, adding one goal and tallying four assists for the team. Her work on defense helped the Reign to allow the fewest goals of any team throughout the season and also earned her a spot on the NWSL Best XI for the first time in her career.

This season, Huerta has made 13 appearances for OL Reign, starting in each match. She has made 23 clearances, 18 interceptions and five blocks as a part of OL Reign’s reliable backline. Known for her superior crossing abilities, she has served 52 crosses this season, making 23 key passes and earning two assists. Offensively, she has three shots on target and one goal.

During the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, the defender has made three appearances and one start for a total of 130 minutes played. She has made two interceptions and one clearance, as well as 61 successful passes, three key passes and five crosses.

INTERNATIONAL

Defender Sofia Huerta has 30 caps with the United States since making her debut on September 15, 2017. In her 30 caps, she has added four assists for the United States. This is her first trip to the World Cup.

Huerta began her senior level international career with Mexico before gaining her change of national association to represent the United States on September 14, 2017, and debuting just one day later. She is one of two players to apply for a change of association to play for the USA and represent the USA in a World Cup.

In 2017, her first year with the United States, the Boise native earned three appearances and one start. She tallied her first assist for the USA in her debut against New Zealand. The following year, she amassed four caps, starting once across those four matches. Huerta is the first player from the state of Idaho to earn a cap for the USWNT.

Huerta earned her next call up in November 2021. She played in both the USA’s matches against Australia, helping the team to earn one draw and one win to close out the year.

2022 was a highlight year for the defender, as she played in 16 matches, making 11 starts. Across her 1,074 minutes of playing time, she earned two assists – one against New Zealand in February and one against Jamaica in July. During 2022, five of her appearances were at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, helping the USA qualify for both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

This year, Huerta has made five appearances for the USWNT, most recently appearing in the Send-Off Match against Wales. She has made three starts and notched an assist against New Zealand in the USA’s 5-0 win in January.