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Manaka Matsukubo
Japanese footballer (born 2004) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Manaka Matsukubo (松窪 真心, Matsukubo Manaka; born 28 July 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Japan national team.
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She helped lead Japan to runner-up finishes at the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups and received the Silver Ball at the latter tournament.
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Club career
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Mynavi Sendai
Manaka made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai of the WE League on 5 March 2023 and played 1,075 minutes across the season.[3] She helped the team to a fourth-place finish in her first year as a professional, scoring four goals and adding one assist.[4]
North Carolina Courage
On 27 July 2023, the North Carolina Courage acquired Manaka on loan from Mynavi Sendai through the following June.[3] She made her NWSL debut on 27 August 2023, starting in a draw against the Chicago Red Stars.[5] On 6 September, she started in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal against the Kansas City Current, becoming the youngest player in the start a game in the tournament.[4] Three days later, she started in the final against Racing Louisville and scored the second goal of the 2–0 victory.[6] She was the youngest player to score in the competition and was named MVP of the title game.[4] Head coach Sean Nahas called her a "star in the making" after the game.[7] The following week, she scored her first regular-season goal against the Orlando Pride.[8] On 15 October, she assisted Tyler Lussi's winner against the Washington Spirit on the final matchday of the season, clinching a playoff berth for the Courage.[9]
On 27 June 2024, Manaka was signed by the Courage permanently through the 2025 season.[10] On 7 July, she scored her first goal of the season when she chipped Racing Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund from distance, earning a nomination for NWSL Goal of the Week.[11][12] On 5 October, after returning from the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, she set up a goal for Aline Gomes and scored the game winner against the San Diego Wave, clinching a playoff berth and winning NWSL Goal of the Week for her header on a deflected cross from Ryan Williams.[13][14]
Manaka scored her first NWSL brace on 17 May 2025, bagging both goals in the win over the Chicago Stars, and was named the NWSL Player of the Week.[15] On 21 June, she assisted Hannah Betfort's winner against the Houston Dash, becoming the second-youngest NWSL player, after Trinity Rodman, to record goal contributions in five consecutive regular-season games (four goals and three assists).[16]
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International career
Youth
Manaka played for Japan's under-20 side during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022,[17] scoring one goal as Japan made it to the final.
She was called up to play at the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup, scoring 3 goals, but she left early to return to her club.[18]
She was selected for her second FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2024.[19] In the semifinals, she scored both goals in a 2–0 victory over the Netherlands.[20] She scored three goals in all at the tournament and received the Silver Ball as its second-best player.
Senior
Manaka received her first senior call-up to Japan in October 2024.[21] She made her senior international debut on 20 February 2025, coming on as a substitute for Maika Hamano during a 4–0 win against Australia at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.[20]
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Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 5 October 2024
- Includes Empress's Cup
- Includes Nadeshiko League Cup, NWSL Challenge Cup
Honours
JFA Academy Fukushima
- Nadeshiko Challenge League: 2020
- Nadeshiko League 2: 2021
North Carolina Courage
Japan
Individual
- NWSL Challenge Cup final MVP: 2023
- WE League Outstanding Player Award: 2022–23
References
External links
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