Rachel Daly - The Underdog
SOCCER - FORWARD - ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM - NWSL - HOUSTON DASH
ARCHETYPE: THE UNDERDOG
Day 62/135
Athletic Accomplishments
Rachel Daly is a star forward for the England Women’s National Team and the NWSL’s Houston Dash.
Daly attended St. John’s University, where in her sophomore season, she set St. John’s single-season record for goals (23) and points (50). She then set the school’s career records for goals (50) and points (111), despite only playing 3 years. Imagine what those numbers might have looked like otherwise.
Daly was the first player in St. John’s history to be a First-Team All-American and was a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s top individual honor.
In 2016, Daly was drafted sixth in the NWSL College Draft, heading to Houston where she recently re-signed with the Dash for another 3-year contract. In 2019, Daly and England’s National Team lost to the United States in the semi-final, but managed to take home the SheBelieves Cup. At this point, the stage was set for Daly to have an explosive 2020.
She delivered. After COVID did COVID things, the NWSL was the first professional sports league to return to play in America, putting on the star-studded Challenge Cup. Daly had a breakout performance in the tournament, being named to the Challenge Cup Best XI, and winning both the tournament’s Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player Award.
Character Archetype: The Underdog
Known her her intensity, leadership, and that platinum blonde high pony, Rachel Daly is one of the most exciting forwards in the NWSL. As team captain for the Houston Dash, Daly led the team to their first ever league title in the 2020 Challenge Cup.
The win was pretty unexpected for the Dash. Many had expected the North Carolina Courage or the Portland Thorns to cruise to the title. At the time, the Dash had zero players from the U.S. Women’s National Team, which made them look like a layup. That didn’t bother Daly, who plays for England’s national team. If anything it motivated her and her teammates, gave them something to prove and nothing to lose.
Sometimes, a chip on the shoulder leads to a ‘chip on the mantle.