Ashley Lawrence is one of the best players in the world in women’s soccer. She can play as a full-back or a midfielder, and she has been a vital member of the Canadian national team and Chelsea, her club team in England. Lawrence has won many accolades and awards for her performances, and she has been described as “one of the best-attacking full-backs in the world.”
Early life and career
Lawrence was born on June 11, 1995, in Toronto, Ontario. She started playing soccer at age five and joined the Brams United Girls Soccer Club when she was nine. She attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School as a soccer, basketball, and track and field star athlete. She also played for the provincial and national youth teams and participated in the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups.
Lawrence received a scholarship to play college soccer at West Virginia University, where she studied sports and exercise psychology. She played for the Mountaineers from 2013 to 2016 and co-captained the team in her senior year. She won many honors and awards, including the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the NSCAA All-America First Team, and the MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. She also played for the W-League franchises Toronto Lady Lynx, Ottawa Fury, and League1 Ontario team Vaughan Azzurri.
Professional career
Lawrence was a highly-rated prospect before the 2017 NWSL College Draft, but she signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain in France. She debuted for PSG in January 2017 and quickly became a regular starter for the team. She played as a full-back and a midfielder, and she helped PSG reach the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in her first season, where they lost on penalties to Lyon. She also helped PSG finish second in the Division 1 Féminine, the French league, behind Lyon.
Lawrence extended her contract with PSG in December 2018, and she continued to be one of the best players on the team and in the league. She helped PSG win the Coupe de France Féminine, the French Cup, in 2018 and 2020, and she also helped PSG end Lyon’s 14-year dominance in the league by winning the Division 1 Féminine title in 2021. She also helped PSG reach the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021, where they lost to Barcelona
In July 2021, Lawrence signed a three-year deal with Chelsea, the reigning champions of the Women’s Super League, the English league. She joined the London-based club after six successful years with PSG and said she was excited to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. She debuted for Chelsea in August 2021 and scored her first goal for the club in November 2021 against Aston Villa.
International career
Lawrence debuted for the senior Canadian national team in January 2013, at 17, in a friendly match against China. She was part of the Canadian squad that competed in the 2013 Four Nations Tournament and the 2013 Cyprus Cup. She also played in the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, where Canada qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Lawrence was selected for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which Canada hosted. She started in all five matches for Canada, playing as a full-back and a midfielder, and she helped Canada reach the quarterfinals, where they lost to England. She was named to the FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star Team and nominated for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Best Young Player Award.
Lawrence was also part of the Canadian team that won the bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She played in all six matches for Canada, and she scored a goal in the group stage against Zimbabwe. She also assisted Christine Sinclair’s goal in the bronze medal match against Brazil, which Canada won 2-1
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 🤩🔵 @ChelseaFCW #UWCL pic.twitter.com/nUqFWC6CWQ
— Ashley Lawrence (@AshleyLawrence) November 15, 2023
Lawrence continued to be a vital player for Canada in the following years, playing in the 2017 Algarve Cup, the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the 2020 SheBelieves Cup. She also helped Canada qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, where she played in all six matches for Canada, and she helped Canada win the gold medal for the first time in history. She assisted Jessie Fleming’s goal in the semifinal against the United States, which Canada won 1-0, and she also helped Julia Grosso’s goal in the final against Sweden, which Canada won on penalties.
Lawrence has earned over 100 caps for Canada and scored six goals. She is widely regarded as one of the world’s best players, and she was named the Canadian Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020. She has also been nominated for the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World XI in 2017, 2019, and 2020
Style of play and personality
Lawrence is a versatile and talented player who can play in various positions, including full-back, wing-back, midfielder, and winger. She is known for her speed, agility, dribbling, passing, crossing, shooting skills, and defensive abilities, such as tackling, intercepting, and marking. She is also praised for her work ethic, leadership, and intelligence on the field. She is a creative and dynamic player who can create chances, score goals, and prevent them. She is also a team player who can adapt to different systems and roles.
Lawrence is humble, respectful, and passionate about soccer and her country. She is a role model and an inspiration for many young girls and boys who want to play soccer. She is also involved in various charitable and social causes, such as the Right To Play organization, which uses sport and play to empower children and youth in disadvantaged communities. She advocates for gender equality and women’s empowerment in sports and society.
Ashley Lawrence is a remarkable soccer player who has achieved a lot in her career, both at the club and international level. She has won many trophies and medals, as well as many individual awards and honors. She has also represented Canada with pride and excellence and made history by winning the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo. She is one of the best players in the world, and she is still improving and growing as a player and a person. She is a true star for Canada and Chelsea and a joy to watch on the field.
Originally posted 2023-11-26 12:30:26.
