Madison Pogarch Explained

Madison Pogarch (;^[1] born November 5, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Utah Royals of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer at Central Michigan University and Rutgers University.

College career

Pogarch played three years of collegiate soccer at Central Michigan University of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), where she was a two-time all-MAC performer and First Team All-MAC in 2017.^[2] She completed her education at Rutgers University in 2018 where she started all 19 matches.^[3] She was voted Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on October 9, 2018, after playing every minute in two Big Ten overtime wins, both shutouts.^[4]

Club career

While in college, Pogarch played as an amateur with senior semi-pro teams over the summer. She helped Grand Rapids FC to a United Women's Soccer championship in 2017, scoring the only goal of the game in an early win at Fort Wayne. She then played for Detroit Sun in 2018.^[5]

Portland Thorns FC

Pogarch was signed by the Portland Thorns in early May 2019.^[6] She made her first appearance for the team on May 25 in a game against Sky Blue FC and had her first start a few weeks later, on June 15 against the North Carolina Courage.^[7]

San Diego Wave FC

On July 25, 2022, the Thorns announced that the club had traded Pogarch to San Diego Wave FC in exchange for defender Tegan McGrady.^[8]

Utah Royals

On December 7, 2023, the Utah Royals announced that the club had signed Pogarch as a free agent through the 2025 season.^[9]

International career

In August 2019, she was named to the US Women's U-23 team to compete in the 2019 Nordic Tournament.^[10]

Personal life

Pogarch is in a relationship with Christen Westphal.^[11] They announced their engagement in July 2024.^[12]

Honors

Portland Thorns FC

• NWSL Community Shield : 2020
• NWSL Challenge Cup: 2021
• International Champions Cup: 2021^[13]
• NWSL Shield: 2021

San Diego Wave

• NWSL Shield: 2023^[14]

Notes and References

1. Web site: PTFC At-Home Skills with Madison Pogarch. YouTube. April 1, 2020. October 22, 2022.
2. Web site: Madison Pogarch – Women's Soccer. Central Michigan University Athletics. en. August 23, 2019.
3. Web site: Madison Pogarch – Women's Soccer. Rutgers University Athletics. en. August 23, 2019.
4. Web site: Maryland and Rutgers Earn Weekly Women's Soccer Awards. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817070131/https://bigten.org/news/2018/10/9/maryland-and-rutgers-earn-weekly-womens-soccer-awards.aspx?path=wsoc. dead. August 17, 2022. Big Ten Conference. en. August 23, 2019.
5. Web site: Hartland's Madison Pogarch named to U.S. women's U23 squad. O'Connor. Larry. Detroit News. en. August 23, 2019.
6. Web site: Portland Thorns sign Charley, Ogle and Pogarch to supplemental roster, waive Onumonu and Weber. Goldberg. Jamie. May 8, 2019. oregonlive.com. en-US. August 23, 2019.
7. Web site: Madison Pogarch. National Women's Soccer League. www.nwslsoccer.com. en. August 23, 2019.
8. Thorns FC acquire defender Tegan McGrady from San Diego Wave FC in exchange for defender Madison Pogarch . July 25, 2022 . July 25, 2022 . Portland Thorns FC.
9. Utah Royals Signs NWSL Free Agent Madison Pogarch . December 7, 2023 . December 10, 2022 . Utah Royals.
10. Web site: Thorns FC's Madison Pogarch named to U.S. U-23 Women's National Team roster for 2019 Nordic Tournament. Thorns FC Communications. August 21, 2019. Portland Thorns FC. August 23, 2019.
11. Web site: A Greater Meaning to Pride: Christen Westphal and Madison Pogarch. June 30, 2023 .
12. C9S6uyJSzXQ. maddiepogarch. Upgraded to the lifetime subscription . 2024-07-12.
13. Web site: Tyler . Snipes . The Portland Thorns are WICC Champions! . August 22, 2021 . International Champions Cup.
14. Web site: San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield . October 19, 2023 . CONCACAF. October 17, 2023 .