The 13th season of the National Women’s Soccer League is set to begin this coming weekend with the opportunity for more talents to emerge and others to take the next step forward in their careers. After adjusting to a position switch, Tara McKeown had a breakout year in 2024 and should continue to grow as a defender. The 25-year-old Washington Spirit centre-back recently made her senior international debut and could be a player to watch in a changing United States Women’s National Team.
Born in Newbury Park, California, McKeown competed for Newbury Park High School and was named All-Ventura County First Team, Marmonte League Most Valuable Offensive Player, Daily News Soccer Player of the Year, and two-time All-CIF Southern Section First Team. She also played with Eagles SC, Women’s Premier Soccer League side SoCal FC, and the Cal South Olympic Development Program while being listed as the 29th best recruit in the country by TopDrawerSoccer. Coaches presciently praised her “hard work ethic” and “ability to play both on defense and offense seamlessly and effectively.”
McKeown then matriculated to the University of Southern California, making 20 appearances primarily at fullback, contributing four goals and five assists, and being named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Her sophomore campaign saw her feature in 21 fixtures and put up six goals and seven assists. She switched to forward as a junior and with an “aggressive yet unselfish playing style” exploded for 15 goals and eight assists, earning Pac-12 Forward of the Year, All-Pac-12 first team, and United Soccer Coaches All-America first team honors. Despite having the opportunity to turn professional, the allure of a final collegiate run saw her end her career with the Trojans with eight goals and eight assists during the abbreviated spring schedule, once again being included on the All-Pac-12 first team.
During the winter, McKeown had already been selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit and joined the club in May, signing a two-year contract with an additional option year. She stepped into the rotation immediately, made a combined 23 appearances across all competitions, and contributed one goal and three assists during the title-winning season. In the 2-1 final victory over Chicago Red Stars, the forward drew the penalty that was converted to tie proceedings.
During the following season, McKeown missed the first half of the schedule due to an injury but made 14 total appearances and became a key figure down the stretch. She scored three goals and added an assist, starting in all but one of her matches and provided “a defensive presence.” During the offseason, the club re-signed her to a three-year contract, impressing the coaching staff with “her commitment to wanting to improve and be a leader.”
In 2023, McKeown switched to centre-back and started in all 21 league matches while also featuring in four cup matches. Despite being surprised at the change, she “led all defenders in clearances per 90 minutes” and tied for second in blocked shots while not “registering an error.” The NWSL named her Player of the Week in June after scoring twice in consecutive fixtures.
Her anticipation and past experiences as an attacker helped to aid the position switch. “I just kind of know from being a forward that there’s only like two crosses your teammates will get on the end of the most,” McKeown told The District Press. “Either it’s gonna be like a cutback cross or like trying to get it like straight across the goal, so positioning myself as best as I can to intercept that when it does happen to get crossed is what’s been helping me with like the clearances piece for sure… It’s definitely weirder seeing the whole field in front of you and trying to decipher which passes should go into midfield or bring back around.”
Last year, McKeown had a true breakout season and took on an even greater role, playing every regular season minute for the Spirit across 32 combined appearances and reaching the playoff final. She scored the tying goal in the quarterfinal round victory against Bay FC with a splendid long-range effort. The league named her to the Best XI Second Team as well as listing her as a finalist for Defender of the Year. Washington signed her to a new contract through 2027 with an option for 2028, as head coach Jonatan Giráldez praised her as “completely different player” who seeks out pressure and “loves playing against important strikers.”
McKeown already claimed an early bit of silverware to open the 2025 season. The Washington Spirit avenged last year’s NWSL final, defeating Orlando Pride in penalties, 1-1 (4-2). McKeown converted the winning attempt, blasting her shot down the middle into the roof of the net.
At the international level, McKeown has been a long-term member of the United States program, beginning in the under-14 age group. She competed at the 2018 U-20 World Cup and started in the 6-0 group stage victory over Paraguay. Her first senior call-up came during the recent January camp followed by being named to the roster for the SheBelieves Cup, starting and going the full 90 minutes in the opener against Colombia while also registering an assist on Ally Sentnor’s long-range goal. Two more appearances followed in the fixtures with Colombia and Japan, and despite some miscues and issues with pressure in the latter match, her performance featured “a team-high 11 defensive actions and some key interventions.”
Standing at five-foot-seven, McKeown is a centre-back with a balanced profile who is comfortable with the ball at her feet. Despite being a recent convert to the position at the professional level, she has “improved in possession,” “is powerful, likes the challenge when competing against good strikers,” and knows when to engage. Teammates praise her as a “consistent, physical presence who is always bodying an [opponent]” with the ability to make big plays.
“I feel way more comfortable [at centre-back] now,” McKeown told The Hoffman Show. “Compared to last year, I feel more comfortable on the ball, directing lines, and just having that leadership role in the back that you expect a centre-back to have. Last year, I was kind of timid trying to tell people what to do because I still didn’t really know what to do. I feel like now I’ve been able to accept that role more and lead the attack and defense from the back… I like to be on the ball and playmake from the back.”
McKeown had an uneven first showing for the USWNT but still managed to make a positive impact. However, the depth chart at the centre-back position is well stocked with several potential new additions jockeying for a spot. The next few years will provide several opportunities for players to stake their respective claims, and the defender from Newbury Park has the talent to secure a spot on the next World Cup roster.
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