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Madelyn Desiano
American soccer player (born 2000) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Madelyn Marie Desiano (born February 18, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for USL Super League club Spokane Zephyr FC. She played college soccer for the UCLA Bruins before being selected in the 2023 NWSL Draft by the Houston Dash.
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Early life
Desiano was born in Mission Viejo, California[1] and attended Aliso Niguel High School.[2] She was a member of both the soccer and dance teams at Aliso Niguel.[3] She played youth soccer for SoCal Blues, with which she won the 2015 ECNL U15 National Championship.[4]
College career
Desiano attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and played college soccer for the UCLA Bruins from 2018 to 2022.[1] In 2018, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and underwent knee surgery.[2] In 2019, she underwent a second knee surgery.[2]
Desiano then made her college debut in February 2021.[2] She scored her first collegiate goal on October 6, 2022, against Arizona State.[5] UCLA won the 2022 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament, as Desiano played all 110 minutes in championship match.[1]
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Club career
Houston Dash
In January 2023, Desiano was selected by the Houston Dash in the 2023 NWSL Draft.[6] She scored her first professional goal on July 22, 2023 in a 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup match against Kansas City Current.[7][8] Houston waived Desiano on April 12, 2024.[9]
Odense Boldklub Q
On August 9, 2024, Desiano signed with Danish club Odense Boldklub Q.[10] She made her first start and recorded her first assist for the club on August 31, 2024 against HB Køge,[11][12] and was named to the Kvindeligaen Team of the Round. Her move to Denmark also reunited her with former UCLA teammate, My Hyland.[13] Desiano was named to the Kvindeligaen Team of the Month for September 2024.[14] She played 21 league matches in her lone season with OB Q.[15]
Spokane Zephyr
Desiano returned to the United States in July 2025, signing a contract with Spokane Zephyr FC ahead of the club's second season as a member of the USL Super League.[16]
International career
Desiano attended training camp with the United States under-14 team in 2014.[17]
In September 2017, Desiano competed with the United States under-19 team in the CFA International Women's Youth Football Tournament in China.[18] In April 2018, she competed with the United States under-18 team in Switzerland.[19]
Personal life
Desiano was born to parents Tom, who played college basketball for San Jose State, and Ann-Marie, a competitive dancer who was a cheerleader for Long Beach State.[20][1]
Desiano wrote a book about her experiences at UCLA; in June 2025, she self-published Bend Never Break, focusing on UCLA's 2022 National Championship.[21][22]
Career statistics
- As of match played June 14, 2025
- Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup and Danish Women's Cup
- Includes NWSL Playoffs
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Honors
UCLA Bruins
Individual
- Kvindeligaen Team of the Month: September 2024
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
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