Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
There is perhaps no position on the soccer pitch more critical yet less understood than the goalkeeper. It is a position that can lift supporters to their feet in one moment and destroy their nerves the next. It is a position that requires confidence, a little bit of brazenness, and a good pair of gloves.
But what goes into making a goalkeeper? Since starting her professional career in 2014, Washington Spirit keeper Aubrey Kingsbury has worked her way to the top of the National Women’s Soccer League goalkeeping mountain. A two-time NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, Kingsbury served as team captain and led the Spirit to the 2021 NWSL Championship and the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. As a shot-stopper, she has amassed 520 saves, fourth-most in league history.
I spoke with Kingsbury to dive deeper into the nuances of the position and how she mentally, physically, and spiritually approaches her work between the posts.
Access the best women’s soccer coverage all year long
Start your FREE, 7-day trial of The Equalizer Extra for industry-leading reporting and insight on the USWNT, NWSL and beyond.
