At 18 years old, Chloe Ricketts has already done what most players spend their entire careers dreaming of. She’s made her professional debut, scored in front of thousands, lifted a trophy, and made history—more than once. Ricketts, a midfielder from Dexter, Michigan, became the youngest player to ever sign a contract in the NWSL when she joined the Washington Spirit in early 2023. She was just 15. Since then, she’s earned regular minutes, scored her first professional goal in a Challenge Cup match, and played a key role in helping the Spirit win the 2025 Challenge Cup Final—becoming the youngest player to ever start in a league final. Alongside her club success, she’s moved quickly through the U.S. Youth National Team system, now representing the U-20s in international competition. Technically gifted, confident on the ball, and relentless in transition, she’s become one of the most talked-about young players in the country.

“I Just Felt Pure Joy”: Chloe Ricketts on Her First Goal, National Team Dreams, and Life as a Young Pro

Chloe Ricketts has been in the spotlight since the moment she signed her first professional contract at just 15 years old. Now, a few seasons into her pro journey with the Washington Spirit, she’s already made history—becoming the youngest player to score in an NWSL match, representing the U.S. on the youth national team stage, and starting in a major cup final before her 18th birthday. In this interview, Ricketts opens up about the moment she scored her first professional goal, the grind of balancing a pro career with everyday teenage life, and the advice she’d give to the next wave of young players chasing big dreams. Scoring your first professional goal must’ve been an unforgettable moment. We asked Ricketts to walk us through that experience and what it meant to you? “It was surreal. The moment the ball hit the back of the net, everything kinda froze for a second. I just felt pure joy. I’d worked so hard for that moment, and to have it happen so early in my career, it just reminded me why I love this game. It meant everything to me, but also to everyone who’s believed in me and helped me get here.”