Rachel_Daly

Rachel Daly

Rachel Daly

English footballer

Rachel Ann Daly (born 6 December 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays predominantly as a striker for Aston Villa in the FA Women's Super League. Having spent most of her career with Houston Dash in the NWSL, she spent her youth career at Leeds United, for which she also made her senior debut. She represented England and Great Britain.

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...

A versatile player, since 2019 Daly has played in defence, midfield, and attack. With Leeds United she won the Premier League Cup in 2010; with Houston Dash she won the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2020, as well as the Golden Boot and MVP awards for the competition. In her first season with Aston Villa, Daly became the WSL Golden Boot winner, PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year, Player of the Season, was featured in the Team of the Year, and twice won the Player of the Month award for the 2022–23 season. She holds the joint record for most goals in a WSL season, with 22 goals.

Playing at all youth levels for England, Daly scored her first senior international goal on her debut in June 2016. With England, she made 84 appearances, winning the Euro 2022 and the 2023 Women's Finalissima, and taking silver at the 2023 World Cup.

College career

Despite playing just three years for the St. John's University Red Storm from 2012 to 2015,[3] Daly set the school's career records for both goals (50) and points (111). As a freshman, she did not see game action due to NCAA compliance regulations. During her second year, she played and started in all 21 games and set St. John's single-season records in goals (23) and points (50), becoming the program's first-ever player to be named a NSCAA All-American, after earning Second Team honours.

As a junior, she was the team's leading player in points with 18, including eight goals and two assists. As a senior, she appeared in 20 games, making 19 starts, and finished as the leading scorer on the team with 19 goals and five assists for a total of 18 points. She became the first player in program history to be selected to the NSCAA All-America First Team and the first to be named a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy.[4]

Club career

Youth

Coming from the youth department of Leeds United LFC, Daly initially played in the English League for Leeds United and Lincoln Ladies at a young age. She played for the W-League franchises Los Angeles Strikers and Los Angeles Blues in 2013 and 2014. With the latter she won the W-League championship with a clear 6–1 in the final over the Washington Spirit reserve team.[5] After another season with WPSL participant SoCal FC, Daly took part in the college draft for the 2016 season of the NWSL after graduating.

Houston Dash

Daly was selected by NWSL club Houston Dash as the sixth overall pick of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.[6] The NWSL Media Association voted Daly Player of the Week for the first week of the season after she contributed a goal and an assist in the Dash's 3–1 win against the Chicago Red Stars.[7] She appeared in 16 games in the 2016 season, tallying four goals and four assists.[8]

Daly returned to the Dash for the 2017 season, appearing in 23 games and scoring five goals.[9] On 20 November 2017, the Houston Dash announced that Daly had signed a new contract with the club.[10]

In the 2018 season, Daly was named Player of the Week for week nine, as well as Player of the Month for the month of May. Daly started all 24 games for the Dash and scored a career high 10 goals.[11] She was voted team MVP and named to the NWSL Second XI for the 2018 season.[12][13][14]

Daly was named captain of the Dash ahead of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. The Dash won the Cup, their first trophy, after a 2–0 win over the Chicago Red Stars in the final. Daly won the tournament Golden Boot and on 25 July 2020 was named tournament MVP.[15]

Loan to West Ham United

On 3 September 2020, Daly joined West Ham United on a loan that expired 11 January 2021.[16][17]

Aston Villa

On 9 August 2022, it was announced that Daly had signed a three-year deal with Aston Villa.[18][19] She made her competitive debut for the club on 18 September that year, scoring 2 goals in a 4–3 win over Manchester City.[20] She scored her first hat-trick for the club in a 3–1 win over Reading at Villa Park two months later.[21] She again scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture against Reading in a 5–0 win at the Madejski Stadium.[22] Daly scored 22 goals in the 2022–23 WSL season, winning the Golden Boot and equalling Vivianne Miedema's record for the most goals scored in a single season.[23] She was awarded Player of the Season.[24]

In the FA Cup she scored 6 goals in 4 games, including 4 in an 11–0 win versus AFC Fylde, finishing as the joint second top scorer alongside Sam Kerr and one goal behind top scorer Bunny Shaw.[25][26]

On 24 August 2023, it was announced that Daly would change shirt number from 8 to 9.[27]

International career

Daly has represented England at the U-15, U-17, U-19, and U-23 levels.[28] She was a member of England's U-17 World Cup team that finished fourth in New Zealand in 2008.[29]

When Mark Sampson replaced Hope Powell as England coach, he named Daly in his first squad in December 2013.[30] She won her first senior cap in June 2016, scoring in England's 7–0 Euro 2017 qualifying win over Serbia. Daly was left off Sampson's squad for the Euro 2017.[31]

After not being called up for nearly a year, Daly was included in England's squad for the 2018 SheBelieves Cup by new head coach Phil Neville.[32] Daly featured in four of England's World Cup qualifying games in 2018, as England won their group and qualified for the 2019 World Cup.[33] She won the 2019 SheBelieves Cup with England, where she appeared in two games and played all 90 minutes in a 2–2 draw against the United States.[34]

In July 2022 Daly was included, and started every game at left back, with the England squad which won the Euro 2022.[35][36] In November 2022, she started her first international match as a forward during a series of friendlies in which manager Sarina Wiegman was trying out options to replace the perennial but recently-retired number 9 Ellen White, with Daly saying "she will play wherever Wiegman needs her".[37]

On 19 February 2023, Daly was once again played as a centre-forward in an Arnold Clark Cup match against Italy: in the occasion, she scored a brace that helped England gain a 2–1 win.[38][39] On 31 May 2023, Daly was named to the squad for the 2023 World Cup in July 2023 and[40] scored the final goal in England's 6–1 defeat of China.[41]

On 10 April 2024, the morning after appearing in England's 2–0 Euro 2025 qualifying win over Republic of Ireland, Daly announced her retirement from international football on her Instagram account. Daly made 84 appearances for England, scoring 16 times while playing in a variety of positions in attack and defense.[42][43]

Great Britain Olympic

In May 2021, Daly was named to the Team GB squad as one of six defenders in the squad.[44] She appeared in all four games for Team GB, starting in three of the games.

Personal life

She has previously dated Dash teammate Kristie Mewis and Manchester United WSL player Millie Turner.[45] She is currently in a relationship with Aston Villa teammate Sarah Mayling.[46]

As part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign, a plaque honouring Daly was installed at the Killinghall Nomads ground in Killinghall, Harrogate.[47]

Career statistics

College

As of match played 2015 [48]
More information College team, Year ...

Club

As of 30 March 2024[49]
More information Club, Season ...
  1. Appearance(s) in Women's International Champions Cup

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 9 April 2024.
More information Year, England ...
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Daly goal.
More information No., Date ...

Honours

Leeds United

Houston Dash

England

See also: Collective honours for the England women's national football team

Individual

References

  1. [1]
    "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ List of Players – England" (PDF). FIFA. 27 May 2019. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  2. [2]
    "Women's World Cup 2019: Mapping England's Lionesses squad". BBC News. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  3. [3]
    "Rachel Daly – Women's Soccer". St. John's University Athletics. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  4. [4]
    "Rachel Daly". St. John's University. Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  5. [5]
    Gordon, Jennifer (27 July 2014). "W-League, WPSL trophies heading to California – Equalizer Soccer". Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  6. [6]
    Tolar, Alicia (15 January 2016). "2016 NWSL Draft: Houston Dash pick Rachel Daly". SB Nation. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  7. [7]
    "Houston Dash's Rachel Daly wins NWSL Player of the Week -". Keeper Notes. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
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    "Rachel Daly Profile". Houston Dynamo. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  9. [9]
    "Rachel Daly stats". 27 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  10. [10]
    "Forward Rachel Daly signs new contract with Dash". 20 November 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  11. [11]
    "R. DALY". Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  12. [12]
    "Player of the Week, Rachel Daly". 29 May 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  13. [13]
    "Player of the Month, Rachel Daly". 1 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  14. [14]
    "SEVEN NC COURAGE PLAYERS ON NWSL'S BEST XI AND SECOND XI". 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  15. [15]
    Hill, Glynn A. (25 July 2020). "Dash forward Rachel Daly named MVP of NWSL Challenge Cup". HoustonChronicle.com.
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    "West Ham sign England international Rachel Daly on loan until end of the year". Goal.com. 3 September 2020.
  17. [17]
    "Thank you for everything, @racheldaly3 & @rubyjgrant 👋". 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021 – via Instagram.
  18. [18]
    "Rachel Daly joins Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  19. [19]
    "Houston Dash transfer forward Rachel Daly to Aston Villa F.C." Houston Dash. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  20. [20]
    "Aston Villa Women 4–3 Manchester City Women". BBC Sport. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  21. [21]
    "Aston Villa 3–1 Reading". Aston Villa FC. 20 November 2022.
  22. [22]
    "Reading 0–5 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 7 May 2023.
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    "WSL round-up: Rachel Daly equals goal record in Aston Villa win at Arsenal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  24. [24]
    "Rachel Daly wins Barclays WSL Player of the Season award". Aston Villa F.C. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
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  27. [27]
    Club, Aston Villa Football (24 August 2023). "Aston Villa Women squad numbers for 2023/24". Aston Villa Football Club. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  28. [28]
    "St. John's Daly named to England U-23 women's team for La Manga tournament in Spain". Big Apple Soccer. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  29. [29]
    "Rachel Daly Invited To Training Camp For England Senior Women's National Team". St. John's University Athletics. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  30. [30]
    "Lianne Sanderson recalled to England training squad". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  31. [31]
    "Dash's Rachel Daly disappointed, determined after England snub". 5 April 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  32. [32]
    "RACHEL DALY ENJOYING HER ENGLAND REVIVAL UNDER PHIL NEVILLE". 15 November 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  33. [33]
    "R.DALY". Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  34. [34]
    "ENGLAND CLAIMS 2019 SHEBELIEVES CUP CROWN WITH 3–0 WIN VS. JAPAN". 5 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  35. [35]
    Davies, Callum (15 June 2022). "England Women's final squad named for EURO 2022". England Football.com. The FA. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  36. [36]
    "England Squad". UEFA. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  37. [37]
    Harpur, Charlotte. "Daly's No 9 audition, still questions at left-back: What we learned from England 1–1 Norway". The Athletic. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  38. [38]
    Sanders, Emma (19 February 2023). "Daly double helps England avoid Italy scare". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  39. [39]
    Downey, Sophie (19 February 2023). "Rachel Daly's double gives England Arnold Clark Cup win over Italy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  40. [40]
    Gerty, David (31 May 2023). "England squad named for 2023 Women's World Cup". England Football.
  41. [41]
    "Lauren James stars as England crush China to reach last 16 of Women's World Cup". Yahoo. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  42. [42]
    "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️". Rachel Daly on Instagram. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  43. [43]
    "Rachel Daly announces retirement from international football". Aston Villa Football Club. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  44. [44]
    "Women's Football Squad named for Tokyo 2020". 27 May 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  45. [45]
    "Lioness Rachel Daly enjoys a 'well-deserved break' after being named in World Cup Squad". Women's Health. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  46. [46]
    "51 athletes who are out and proud members of the LGBTQ+ community". Insider. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  47. [47]
    "England's Euro 2022 winners honoured with gold plaques at local football clubs". 90min. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  48. [48]
    "2015 Women's Soccer Roster". Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  49. [49]
    "England – R. Daly – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  50. [50]
    "Leeds Carnegie lift first major trophy with defeat of Everton". Guardian. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  51. [51]
    Emma Sanders (20 August 2023). "Women's World Cup final: England lose to Spain in Sydney". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  52. [52]
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  53. [53]
    Sanders, Emma (6 April 2023). "England beat Brazil on penalties to win Finalissima". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  54. [54]
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  55. [55]
    "England 3 – 1 Germany". BBC Sport. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  56. [56]
    "Arnold Clark Cup: England hit six v Belgium to retain trophy". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  57. [57]
    "Houston Dash star Rachel Daly wins 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Golden Boot with three goals". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  58. [58]
    "Rachel Daly PFA Players' Player of the Year". Professional Fooballers' Association. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  59. [59]
    "Rachel Daly: Aston Villa forward wins PFA women's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  60. [60]
    "Aston Villa's Carla Ward and Rachel Daly scoop WSL Manager and Player of the Month". ITV News. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  61. [61]
    "Daly picks up WSL award for November". Aston Villa F.C. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  62. [62]
    Club, Aston Villa Football (8 December 2023). "Rachel Daly strike voted WSL Goal of the Month". Aston Villa Football Club. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

Further reading

  • Aluko, Eniola (2019), They Don't Teach This, Random House, ISBN 9781473564480
  • Caudwell, Jayne (2013), Women's Football in the UK: Continuing with Gender Analyses, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781317966234
  • Clarke, Gemma (2019), Soccerwomen: The Icons, Rebels, Stars, and Trailblazers Who Transformed the Beautiful Game, ISBN 9781568589206
  • Dunn, Carrie (2019), Pride of the Lionesses: The Changing Face of Women's Football in England, Pitch Publishing (Brighton) Limited, ISBN 9781785315411
  • Dunn, Carrie (2016), The Roar of the Lionesses: Women's Football in England, Pitch Publishing Limited, ISBN 9781785311512
  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
  • Smith, Kelly (2012), Footballer: My Story, Transworld, ISBN 9781446488591
  • Stay, Shane (2019), The Women's World Cup 2019 Book: Everything You Need to Know About the Soccer World Cup, Books on Demand, ISBN 1782551921
  • Theivam, Keiran and Jeff Kassouf (2019), The Making of the Women's World Cup: Defining stories from a sport's coming of age, Little, ISBN 1472143310
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