*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:54, 11 December 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:54, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
Alanna Stephanie Kennedy (born 21 January 1995) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Manchester City and the Australia national team.[4] Kennedy is recognised as being a versatile, technical player and is a right-footed free kick specialist.[2] Known on the international level as a centre back, Kennedy also plays in the midfielder position.[5]
Early life
Kennedy was raised in the Sydney suburb of Rosemeadow and attended selective sports school Westfields Sports High School.[6][7] As a youth, she was the only girl on an all-boys team[8] and later played for the Campbelltown Cobras.[9] She trained with the Girls Skills Acquisition Program (GSAP) at Macarthur Rams. Kennedy acknowledged the Rams training ground as her "second home" growing up.[10]
In 2016, Kennedy signed with the Western New York Flash in the National Women's Soccer League. She appeared in 17 games for the Flash in 2016. Kennedy played every minute of Western New York's two playoff games, as the Flash won the 2016 NWSL Championship.[13]
Kennedy heads the ball during an Orlando Pride match, May 2018
On 19 January 2017, Kennedy was traded to the Orlando Pride in exchange for midfielder Sam Witteman.[14] She appeared in every game for the Pride in 2017. In the final game of the regular season on 30 September, Kennedy scored the game-winning goal on a free kick in stoppage time. This win allowed Orlando to finish the regular season in 3rd place and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in club history.[15] In the semi-final, Kennedy scored again but Orlando lost 4–1 to the Portland Thorns.
In the 2018 NWSL season, Kennedy appeared in 20 games and scored 2 goals; however, Orlando could not repeat their success of 2017 and finished outside the playoffs.[16]
In March 2020, the impending NWSL season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. An eventual restart was made through a smaller schedule 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.[17][18] However, on 22 June, Orlando withdrew from the tournament following positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.[19]
Melbourne City FC
Kennedy joined Melbourne City on loan for the 2017–18 W-League season.[20] During the 2017–2018 season, Kennedy was named to the Westfield W-League's "Team of the Decade", which was composed of the best XI players to ever play in the W-League, as voted for by the fans.[21]
Sydney FC
After spending one season at Melbourne City, Kennedy signed with Sydney FC for the 2018–19 W-League season, returning to the club she had played at for four previous seasons.[22] On 16 February 2019 Kennedy won her third W-league Championship title with a 4–2 win over Perth Glory in the grand final. She re-signed with Sydney FC for the 2019–20 season.[23] The team returned to the grand final in 2020 but lost to Melbourne City 1–0.[24]
Tottenham Hotspur
In August 2020, having been unable to feature for Orlando Pride in 2020 due to COVID-19 related issues, Kennedy moved to English FA WSL club Tottenham Hotspur on a six-month loan ahead of the 2020–21 season, with an option to make the move permanent.[25]
On 12 November 2020, while on loan at Tottenham, Kennedy's NWSL playing rights were acquired by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft.[26] Upon the expiration of her loan and NWSL contract in December 2020, Kennedy instead opted to remain in England and sign permanently with Tottenham until the end of the season.[27]
Kennedy was released by Tottenham on 25 May 2021.[28]
Kennedy debuted for the Matildas against New Zealand in 2012.[31] In 2014, at age 19, she was named to the Matildas squad for the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup. She appeared in three games, as Australia finished runner-up to Japan.
2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
In May 2015, Kennedy was named to Australia's 23-player roster for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and was the second youngest player on their roster. Kennedy appeared in all five matches for Australia. The Matildas finished second in their group and advanced to the knockout stage. They defeated Brazil in round 16 but lost to Japan in the quarter-finals.[32]
2016 Summer Olympics
Kennedy attended her first Olympic Games in 2016. She played every minute of Australia's four matches at Rio 2016. Their quarter-final match against Brazil was tied 0–0 after extra time and went to penalties. Kennedy was the final penalty taker for Australia; she did not score her penalty and Brazil won the match 7–6 on penalties.[33]
Kennedy was part of the Matildas squad that won the 2017 Tournament of Nations and defeated the United States for the first time ever.[34] At the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Kennedy scored two goals for Australia. The second goal she scored was a stoppage time equalizer against Thailand in the Semi-final. Australia went on to win the game in penalties. Australia lost to Japan 1–0 in the final.[35]
2019 FIFA Women's World Cup
In May 2019, Kennedy was named to the Matildas squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, the second time she was included in a World Cup squad.[36] At the World Cup, Kennedy started all four of Australia's matches. In the Round of 16 tie against Norway, Kennedy received a straight red card in the 104th minute of extra-time for a DOGSO foul on Lisa-Marie Utland. Australia went on to lose on penalties and were eliminated.[37]
2020 Summer Olympics
Kennedy was a member of the MatildasTokyo 2020 Olympics squad. The Matildas qualified for the quarter-finals and beat Great Britain before being eliminated in the semi-final with Sweden. In the playoff for the Bronze medal they were beaten by the USA.[38]
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