| Emma Sears | |
| Birth Date: | 23 February 2001 |
| Birth Place: | New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States |
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in[1] |
| Position: | Forward |
| Currentclub: | Racing Louisville FC |
| Clubnumber: | 13 |
| Youthclubs1: | Ohio Premier |
| Collegeyears1: | 2019–2023 |
| College1: | Ohio State Buckeyes |
| Collegecaps1: | 83 |
| Collegegoals1: | 25 |
| Years1: | 2024– |
| Clubs1: | Racing Louisville FC |
| Caps1: | 24 |
| Goals1: | 5 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2024– |
| Nationalteam1: | United States |
| Nationalcaps1: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 1 |
| Club-Update: | October 13, 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | November 30, 2024 |
Emma Sears (born February 23, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team. She played college soccer for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was drafted by Louisville in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Sears was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey,[2] and lived in both England and Laguna Beach, California before moving to Dublin, Ohio. Sears attended Dublin Jerome High School where she was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the girls' soccer team.[3] She was named first team All-Ohio after both her junior and senior seasons.[4] Sears played club soccer for Ohio Premier.
Sears attended the Ohio State University and featured in 83 matches for the Buckeyes from 2019 to 2023. She primarily played as a wide forward, but transitioned during her fifth year to a deeper playmaking position.[5] She scored 25 goals, including the game-winner against Bucknell University in extra time in the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament,[6] and tallied 15 assists in total for the Buckeyes.[7] Sears was a second team All-Big Ten honoree in Spring 2021 and 2022,[8] [9] and a first team All-Big Ten honoree in 2023.[10] She graduated with a degree in health science in 2023.[11]
Sears was selected 28th overall in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft by Racing Louisville FC.[12] [13] She signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.[14] She made her professional debut as a 66th-minute substitute against the Orlando Pride on the opening matchday on March 16.[15] She scored her first professional goal in a 5–1 win over the Utah Royals on April 20.[16] She earned her first start for Louisville against the Orlando Pride on May 5.[17] Her next two goals for Racing were voted back-to-back NWSL Goals of the Week. She scored the first from a tight angle near the corner flag in a 3–3 draw to the Kansas City Current on May 18; the second set up a 1–0 win over the Chicago Red Stars on May 25.[18] [19] On May 22, Sears's contract was extended through the 2026 season.[20]
Sears was called up to the United States national team in October 2024 for the team's Olympic gold medal victory tour, her first national call-up at any level.[21] She earned her first cap as a 55th-minute substitute for Yazmeen Ryan in a 3–1 friendly win over Iceland on October 27, 2024. She assisted Lynn Williams for the USWNT's opening goal and scored herself in the 90+3rd minute, becoming the first player to score and assist on her USWNT debut since Christen Press in 2013.[22] [23]
Sears has a twin sister, Bronwen, who played collegiate soccer for the Miami RedHawks.[24]
| National Team | Year | Apps | Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 1 | ||
| Total | 3 | 1 | ||
Scores and results list United States's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sears goal.
Goals | Cap | Date | Location | Opponent | data-sort-type="number" | Lineup | data-sort-type="number" | Min | Assist/pass | data-sort-type="number" | Score | data-sort-type="number" | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2024-10-27[25] | Nashville, Tennessee | 90+3' | unassisted | Friendly |