Kansas City Current forward Michelle Cooper earned her first senior national team call-up for the 2025 She Believes Cup. Cooper, born December 4, 2002, in Detroit, Michigan, has built her soccer resume steadily over the past several years. Read on to learn more about Michelle Cooper’s journey to her first USWNT Futures Camp in January 2025.
Personal Life
Michelle Cooper grew up in Detroit. Her full name is Michelle Ivory Cooper. She is the daughter of Michelle Cooper and has one sister, Lexie.
Collegiate Career with Duke Blue Devils
Cooper’s collegiate soccer career was groundbreaking and efficient. In Michelle Cooper’s freshman season in 2021, she led the Duke Blue Devils with 12 goals (the most by a freshman in program history) and five assists in 18 games. Additionally, she was named the TopDrawerSoccer National Freshman of the Year, first-team All-American, first-team All-ACC, and the ACC Freshman of the Year.
She was second in the nation in her sophomore season, with 19 goals scored and 11 assists. That year, she earned the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first Duke Blue Devil to receive the 2022 Hermann Trophy as the best player in college soccer.
After two successful seasons, Cooper decided to forfeit her collegiate eligibility and enter the professional stage of her soccer career.
NWSL Draft and Kansas City Career
The Kansas City Current selected Michelle Cooper with the second overall draft pick. She started 17 games, made 23 appearances, and scored three goals in her rookie season.
She was an integral part of the Current’s historic 2024 campaign, with her goal against the Chicago Red Stars officially breaking the NWSL single-season record for team goals (Kansas City totaled 55). Additionally, in 2024, the Current won the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup without conceding a single match.
The fastest goal in NWSL history, 22 seconds into a match, is credited to Cooper.
Youth National Team Experience
Cooper is no stranger to national team camps as she came up through the youth circuit. She played for the U-16, U-18, U-19, and U-20 teams. According to U.S. Soccer’s website, she has nine appearances for her country, as well as one assist and one goal.
Senior National Team Experience
As a result, Michelle Cooper’s first call-up occurred in February 2025.
“This team is still growing, and I continue to be impressed with the dedication of our player pool to get better, individually and as a group,” Coach Emma Hayes told U.S. Soccer.
Cooper and Claire Hutton were the only two uncapped players on USWNT head coach Emma Hayes’ roster for the She Believes event.
We eagerly await Michelle Cooper’s first USWNT goal. This is a player you’ll want to keep an eye on!
Image via Getty Images
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