Michelle Betos
Betos playing for the Thorns in 2016
Personal information
Full name Michelle Jenny Betos[1]
Date of birth (1988-02-20) February 20, 1988
Place of birth Queens, New York, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Gotham FC
Youth career
2004–2006 Albertson Fury
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Georgia Bulldogs 81 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Atlanta Silverbacks
2010 River Plate
2011 Boston Aztec
2012 New York Fury
2012–2013 Apollon Limassol
2013 Seattle Reign FC 7 (0)
2014–2016 Portland Thorns FC 31 (1)
2014 → Fortuna Hjørring (loan)
2015–2016 → Sydney FC (loan) 13 (0)
2017 Vålerenga 20 (0)
2018–2020 OL Reign 12 (0)
2021 Racing Louisville 20 (0)
2022– Gotham FC 14 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 November 2023

Michelle Jenny Betos (born February 20, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She is perhaps best known for being the first NWSL goalkeeper to score a goal in league play.[2][3]

Betos played collegiate soccer at the University of Georgia and signed her first pro contract with the USL W-League Atlanta Silverbacks in 2009. Prior to the founding of the NWSL, she played for Club Atlético River Plate, Apollon Limassol, and WPSL Elite teams Boston Aztec and New York Fury. She signed with Seattle Reign FC ahead of the NWSL's first season, starting in seven league matches while Hope Solo recovered from a wrist injury.

Following a trade to the Portland Thorns in 2014 and a loan spell at Fortuna Hjorring, Betos had her breakout campaign during the 2015 season, replacing Nadine Angerer as first-choice keeper to start 14 games for the Thorns, and winning the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award. In 2016, she won the NWSL Shield with the Thorns. After a further loan to Sydney FC, and a season at Vålerenga, she returned to the NWSL for a further two seasons at the Reign during which she made 12 starts.

Betos was selected by Racing Louisville in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft and went on to captain the team during their inaugural season, starting in 20 league games. She signed for Gotham FC in January 2022 and went on to win the 2023 NWSL Championship with the team.

Early life

Born in Queens, New York to parents Luke and Susan Betos, Michelle began playing soccer at age five at the urging of her father, a one-time semi-professional player in Greece.[4] She attended St. Francis Preparatory School in the New York City borough of Queens. She was a two-year captain on the soccer team and was named 2005 Most Valuable Player. She played for the Albertson Fury '87 from 2004 to 2006, during which time she was coached by Paul Riley,[5] and was a member of the Region I Olympic Development Program (ODP) team in 2006. In 2005, she was named an ENYSSA State Team player and participated in the Super Y-League Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Camp.[6]

College Career

University of Georgia

Betos attended the University of Georgia. She finished her college career with a total of 316 saves, ranking third all-time at Georgia and second in shutouts (26) and wins (48). During her senior year, she started all 22 games, logging 1,929 minutes and earned eight shutouts and a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.12 per game. Her junior year, she appeared in all 23 games making 22 starts. She recorded seven shutouts and a 1.19 GAA, finishing the season with 117 saves. Betos was named SEC All-Tournament Team and SEC Defensive Player of the Week on October 21, 2008. In 2007, she started all 24 games, finishing with 18 wins, eight shutouts and a 0.79 GAA. She recorded a save percentage of .816, making 84 saves and allowing 19 goals. She was named the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player. During her freshman year, Betos appeared in 12 games in goal, making eight starts. She led Georgia in GAA (1.18), save percentage (.732), fewest goals allowed (11), wins (5), shutouts (3) and saves (30). She was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team the same year.[4][6]

Club career

Atlanta Silverbacks, 2009

Betos played for the Atlanta Silverbacks of the W-League during the 2009 season. She was named W-League Goalkeeper of the Year after leading the Atlanta Silverbacks to the regular season Southeast Division title. She finished the season with a 9–1–1 record and the team finished 10–1–1. She ranked second in the league for her 0.188 goals-against average, nine wins and nine shutouts.[5]

New York Fury, 2012

Betos signed with the New York Fury in the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite for the 2012 season, where she was reunited with former youth coach Paul Riley.[7]

Apollon Limassol, 2012-2013

Betos signed with Apollon Limassol for the 2012–2013 UEFA Women's Champions League campaign. She recorded five appearances for the team for a total of 450 minutes.[8]

Seattle Reign FC, 2013

Betos was selected by the Seattle Reign FC during the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft as their fifth pick and 34th pick overall.[9][10] Intended to serve as a backup to Hope Solo, she was the starting goalkeeper for seven of the club's matches during the beginning of the 2013 season while Solo recovered from wrist surgery. Betos made 34 saves and registered a 2.0 goals against average.[11]

Portland Thorns FC, 2014-2016

In the 2013–14 offseason, Seattle traded Betos and Kristie Mewis to the Boston Breakers in exchange for Sydney Leroux.[12] Boston soon traded Betos to Portland for the thirty-fourth pick in the 2014 NWSL College Draft.[13] Initially serving as a backup to Nadine Angerer, Betos made 14 starts during the 2015 season. On June 19, 2015, Betos scored the equalizing goal for 10-man Portland in the 95th minute against FC Kansas City. This was the first ever goal scored by a goalkeeper in the NWSL.[14] Her goal was featured on ESPN SportsCenter as the #2 play during the show's Top 10 feature.[15] She was subsequently named NWSL Player of the Week.[16] Following the season, she was named NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in spite of the team's relatively poor sixth-place finish.[17] Betos was part of the 2016 Thorns team that won the NWSL Shield,[18] making 14 appearances with Adrianna Franch starting in the other six games.

Loan to Sydney FC 2015-2016

In September 2015, Betos joined Sydney FC on loan for the 2015–16 season, helping the team to a place in the 2016 W-League Grand Final.[19][20]

Vålerenga, 2017

Betos signed with Norwegian Toppserien side Vålerenga Fotball in 2017 in search of more starts, playing in all but three matches.[21]

Return to Seattle Reign FC, 2018-2020

On January 30, 2018, Seattle Reign FC announced that Betos would be returning to the club for the 2018 NWSL season.[22] Betos would play in only 12 league games and three Challenge Cup games, struggling with injuries throughout her time at the Reign.[23][24]

Racing Louisville FC, 2021

On November 12, 2020, Betos was selected by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft.[25] Betos captained the team during their first season in the NWSL, starting in 20 games and logging 95 saves, second in the league, and four clean sheets.[26]

NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2022-present

After being released by Racing Louisville, Betos returned to her native New York by signing with NJ/NY Gotham FC on January 11, 2022.[27][3] Betos competed with Ashlyn Harris for a starting spot during her first season at the club, with Betos playing in 14 games and Harris in eight. Following the signings of Abby Smith and Mandy Haught, Betos did not feature in the 2023 season, which ended in a sixth-place finish and an NWSL Championship win.

Betos was nominated as Gotham FC's candidate for the 2023 Ally Award, presented to the teammate who "embodies the spirit of the consummate teammate, inspiring rookies and veterans alike" on behalf of the NWSL Players Association.[28] As of November 2023, Betos serves as one of Gotham FC's player representatives for the NWSLPA.[29] She served on the bargaining committee for the NWSLPA's 2022-2026 collective bargaining agreement, the first in league history.[30] Following the completion of the 2023 NWSL season, Betos is a free agent.[31]

Awards and Honors

Portland Thorns FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC

Individual

References

  1. ↑ Michelle Betos at the Norwegian Football Federation (in Norwegian)
  2. ↑ Lauletta, Dan (June 20, 2015). "Thorns draw late on goal by keeper Betos – Equalizer Soccer". Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Tonelli, Jenna (February 3, 2022). "A Keeper from Queens: Michelle Betos is Coming Home". Nets Republic. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Goalkeeper Michelle Betos a breed above the rest". The Red and Black. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Flushing's Betos backstopping Seattle in NWSL". Big Apple Soccer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Michelle Betos player profile". University of Georgia. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Women's Soccer News: New York Fury Add Johnson, Betos and Spencer". Soccer Nation. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Michelle Betos player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Results: Ochs taken first in NWSL Supplemental Draft". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Seattle Reign picks six in NWSL Supplemental Draft, rumored to be acquiring Veronica Perez". Sounder at Heart. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  11. ↑ "2013 National Women's Soccer League stats". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Breakers acquire Kristie Mewis, Michelle Betos from Seattle Reign FC – Boston Breakers". bostonbreakerssoccer.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  13. ↑ Timbers, Portland. "Thorns FC acquire midfielder Meleana Shim, goalkeeper Michelle Betos in separate trades at 2014 NWSL College Draft | PTFC". Portland Timbers. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  14. ↑ Taylor, J.R. (June 22, 2015). "Michelle Betos Becomes First Goalkeeper to Score in NWSL History". Go Local PDX. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  15. ↑ Stone, Avery. "Portland Thorns goalkeeper scores stunning stoppage time equalizer". USA Today. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  16. ↑ Blue, Molly (June 23, 2015). "Thorns goalkeeper Michelle Betos is NWSL Player of the Week". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  17. 1 2 "THORNS FC'S MICHELLE BETOS VOTED GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR" (Press release). NWSL. September 16, 2015. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015.
  18. 1 2 Timbers, Portland. "PTFC: From the Archives | Klingenberg's Choice | Thorns' 2016 NWSL Shield-clinching win over Sky Blue | PTFC". Portland Timbers. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Sydney FC sign Portland Thorns goalkeeper Michelle Betos". The Women's Game. September 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ FC, Portland Thorns. "Thorns FC Abroad | Michelle Betos helps lead Sydney FC to Australia's W-League final". Portland Thorns FC. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  21. ↑ Goldberg, Jamie. "Michelle Betos leaves Portland Thorns, joins Norwegian side Valerenga". Oregonlive. The Oregonian. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  22. ↑ The Equalizer Staff (January 30, 2018). "Tuesday Roundup: Reign sign goalkeeper Michelle Betos – Equalizer Soccer". Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Goalkeeper Michelle Betos Placed on Season-Ending Injury List". OL Reign. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Michelle Betos Placed on Season-Ending Injury List". OL Reign. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  25. ↑ Creditor, Avi. "Louisville Takes USWNT's Heath, Press to Headline Expansion Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Michelle Betos Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more". FBref.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  27. ↑ "NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Goalkeeper Michelle Betos to Squad Ahead of 2022 Season". GothamFC.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  28. ↑ Tonelli, Jenna (November 10, 2023). "Gotham FC Goalkeeper Michelle Betos Might Be on the Bench, but Her Leadership Contributed to NWSL Championship Run (Exclusive)". The Messenger. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  29. ↑ "OUR TEAM". NWSLPA. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  30. ↑ "CBA". NWSLPA. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  31. ↑ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  32. ↑ "NWSL Championship highlights: Gotham FC crowned champions as Rapinoe, Krieger end careers". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  33. ↑ "#1 | MICHELLE BETOS". www.gothamfc.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  34. ↑ "NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2015 BEST XI | National Womens Soccer League". web.archive.org. October 19, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  35. ↑ "PORTLAND'S MICHELLE BETOS VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK - National Women's Soccer League". web.archive.org. July 5, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  36. ↑ "National Women's Soccer League Twitterren: "No bet here, it's a sure thing 🔒 Drop a 🍻 in the comments for your @budweiserusa Player of the Week winner, @MichelleBetos ⤵️... https://t.co/dZuQnnH1Lz"". web.archive.org. August 19, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
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