Madison Pogarch

Madison Pogarch (/ˈpoʊɡɑːrʃ/ POE-garsh;^[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.

Madison Pogarch

Pogarch with the Portland Thorns in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Madison Pogarch
Date of birth	(1997-11-05) November 5, 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth	Hartland, Michigan, United States
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Utah Royals
Number	16
Youth career
	Michigan Jaguars
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2017	Central Michigan Chippewas	58	(3)
2018	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	20	(0)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017	Grand Rapids FC	13	(2)
2018	Detroit Sun	6	(2)
2019–2022	Portland Thorns	28	(0)
2022–2023	San Diego Wave	22	(1)
2024–	Utah Royals	16	(0)
International career
2019	United States U23
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of July 7, 2024

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.^[5][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]