They say the five love languages are words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, quality time, and touch — but the ladies of the US Women’s Soccer Team might make the case that sports are the truest love language of all.
As the team faces off against England in the 2019 Women’s World Cup today, there are plenty of romantic partners ready to cheer them on, either from the stands or from home across the pond.
And when it comes to these WAGs — and husbands and boyfriends — the list reads like a who’s who of the athletic world, with the soccer stars dating athletes from the WNBA, MLB players, MLS players, golf pros, and even other soccer players from within their own team.
Go girls! As the US Women’s Soccer Team faces off against England in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, FEMAIL rounds up the players’ husbands, girlfriends, and boyfriends
Alex Morgan’s husband Servando Carrasco
Soccer may just be an aphrodisiac in the Morgan-Carrasco household: Alex, a 30-year-old forward from the Orlando Pride who is now competing in her third Women’s World Cup, has been married to L.A. Galaxy’s Servando since 2014.
A seriously soccer-y couple: Alex Morgan is married to L.A. Galaxy’s Servando Carrasco
Theirs is a romantic love story of all things soccer, as they met when they were both playing the sport at the University of California Berkeley.
They married on New Year’s Eve in 2014, with Alex telling People at the time that she ‘truly married my best friend.’
But having two soccer stars in a marriage can be tough: Since Alex’s team is in Orlando and 30-year-old Servando’s is in LA, they have a long-distance marriage.
‘It’s far from ideal to be that far from your wife,’ Servando told Pro Soccer USA. ‘We know that this is temporary. We’re only going to be able to play professional soccer for five to six more years. We’ve got to take advantage of this, and know that when we’re done playing, we’re going to be together.’
And because of his schedule, Servando, a midfielder, hasn’t been able to make it out for the World Cup — though he hopes he can manage to get to the final if the US makes it.
‘She worked incredibly hard to be where she is, so clearly I’m going to celebrate her. Yeah, she’s a bada** woman,’ he said.
Going the distance: Since Alex’s team is in Orlando and 30-year-old Servando’s is in LA, they have a long-distance marriage
‘She worked incredibly hard to be where she is, so clearly I’m going to celebrate her. Yeah, she’s a bada** woman,’ Servando said
Will travel: And because of his schedule, Servando, a midfielder, hasn’t been able to make it out for the World Cup — though he hopes he can manage to get to the final if the US makes it
Megan Rapinoe’s girlfriend Sue Bird
Another athletic power couple, 33-year-old Reign FC forward is dating Sue Bird, a 38-year-old guard for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.
According to the Seattle Times, the competitive women first got to know each other at the Rio de Janiero Olympics in 2016, and stayed friends when they returned to Seattle.
Mixed balls: Megan Rapinoe (left) is dating Sue Bird, a 38-year-old guard for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm (right)
They were dating by September of 2016 and are still going strong nearly three years later.
‘It’s nice to be going through the same thing,’ Sue said. ‘It’s very similar, the things you go through: mindsets of things, team chemistry, dealing with a coach. So it’s nice to have a sounding board at home that just understands.’
Sue, who was drafted during the first round of the WNBA drag in 2002, is a three-time WNBA Champion, was named WNBA all star 11 times, and has taken home four Olympic gold medals.
Together, Sue and Megan were the first same-sex couple to post for ESPN’s body issue.
And Sue is also Megan’s greatest champion: Today, she wrote an article for The Players Tribune called ‘So the President F*cking Hates My Girlfriend,’ in which she wrote that she is ‘so proud’ of her girlfriend.
‘If you could do me a favor, let’s just take a second, for real, and appreciate this RUN my girl’s been on?? Like, take away all of the “extra” stuff — and just focus for a second on the soccer alone,’ she wrote, and also defended Megan against attacks from the President.
Sweet sports story: The competitive women first got to know each other at the Rio de Janiero Olympics in 2016 and were dating by September of that year
Champ: Sue, who was drafted during the first round of the WNBA drag in 2002, is a three-time WNBA Champion and has taken home four Olympic gold medals
‘If you could do me a favor, let’s just take a second, for real, and appreciate this RUN my girl’s been on?’ Sue wrote in an article about Megan today
Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris
Talk about team bonding: Longtime couple and current teammates Ali, 34, and Ashlyn, 33, announced that they got engaged earlier this year.
The two women started dating about a decade ago after meeting while playing for the US National Team.
Love on the field: Teammates Ali Krieger (right) and Ashlyn Harris (left) are engaged and will marry later this year
‘We always sat next to each other on the bus and on flights, and we kind of just talked about our dreams and our hopes and what we wanted to do one day when we grew up. Because at the time, we were kids,’ Ashlyn told People.
‘The rest has kind of been history. Here we are nine years later, and we’re going to be getting married this year.’
Now they both play for the Orlando Pride — where Ali’s a defender and Ashlyn’s a goalkeeper.
But they make sure to set boundaries at work so their romantic relationship doesn’t affect the team.
‘We wanted to be professional and make sure that we showed up every day and did our job and it wasn’t just because we were together, it was because we love what we do, and we’re really good at what we do,’ Ali said. ‘And that was most important for us.’
‘What has made us so successful in the work space together for so long is our boundaries,’ Ashlyn told Pro Soccer USA. ‘We’ve done it long enough to know what works and what doesn’t work.
‘When we’re at work, we’re there to work. I’m her teammate. So if she wants to come to me for something, I’m gonna give her the real answer, the accountability answer. And then when we’re at home, that’s our time to be at home, and then soccer doesn’t walk through the front door.’
On the same team: They both play for the Orlando Pride — where Ali’s a defender and Ashlyn’s a goalkeeper
‘We always sat next to each other on the bus and on flights, and we kind of just talked about our dreams and our hopes and what we wanted to do one day when we grew up. Because at the time, we were kids,’ Ashlyn said
Work and play: But they make sure to set boundaries at work so their romantic relationship doesn’t affect the team
Carli Lloyd’s husband Brian Hollins
Another athletic spouse, 36-year-old Sky Blue FC forward Carli’s husband Brian, 35, is a golf pro who works at Trenton Country Club in New Jersey and has played on the Tarheel and Hooters Tours.
The two are high school sweethearts, and in 2015 Brian shared a funny anecdote from their teen years with Sports Illustrated that gave a look at how far Carli’s competitiveness will go.
He put-put a ring on it: Carli Lloyd is married to golf pro Brian Hollins
He said that during senior year, he’d brought her along on a family camping trip during which he and his family liked to drive golf balls across a 350-yard lake.
Carli, a competitive athlete, decided to give it a go while still soaking wet from swimming, but ended up throwing the driver instead.
‘She just launches it — it sinks to the bottom of the lake and we never find it again. She was mortified. Which I thought was pretty hilarious,’ he said. ‘But that’s typical Carli. She always thinks she can do it. She is so determined.
‘She is by far the most competitive person I know,’ he added.
The two didn’t get engaged until 2015, after 15 years of dating, and finally said ‘I do’ in 2016 in a ceremony in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.
‘We both cried during the reading of our vows — we had everyone at our wedding in tears,’ Carli told The Knot.
They go way back! The two are high school sweethearts from their time growing up in New Jersey
‘She is by far the most competitive person I know,’ Brian said
They do! The two didn’t get engaged until 2015, after 15 years of dating, and finally said ‘I do’ in 2016 in a ceremony in Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Julie Ertz’s husband Zach Ertz
The Ertz household is a a football battleground: American football vs. European football.
While Julie, 27, is a midfielder for the Chicago Red Stars, Zach, 28, is a tight end for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.
They met in college, when Julie attended Santa Clara University and Zach played for the Stanford football team. Their first date was at Chipotle, and on March 26, 2017, they got married.
‘First and foremost, we’re each other’s biggest supporter,’ Zach told Philadelphia magazine. ‘I know enough soccer to get by, but I don’t know strategy. And I think she feels the same way about football. So we’re there to build each other up.’
Though they don’t compete in the same sport, they can still be competitive with one another — particularly when it comes to playing card games like gin.
But they work together, too, and in 2018 posed with each other for ESPN Magazine’s Body Issue.
Football… or football? Julie Ertz, a midfielder for the Chicago Red Stars, is married to the NFL’s Zach Ertz
University days: They met in college, when Julie attended Santa Clara University and Zach played for the Stanford football team
Fun and games: Though they don’t compete in the same sport, they can still be competitive with one another — particularly when it comes to playing card games like gi
Becky Sauerbrunn’s boyfriend Zola Short
Details of when Becky, 34, and Zola first got together are a bit hazy, though YourTango reports they’ve been dating since at least 2011 and went to the University of Virginia at the same time.
Now a defender for the Utah Royals FC, Becky’s found a like-minded sports lover in Zola, who is Adidas’ Director Soccer Sports Marketing.
His job means they’ve had opportunity to work together over the years, and Zola even has a huge blown up photo of Becky playing soccer in his office — as well as at least one T-shirt with her image on it.
‘Find you someone that’ll wear your face…but not in a creepy way,’ Becky jokingly wrote on Instagram in June.
Athleticwear: Defender Becky Sauerbrunn is dating Zola Short, who works for Adidas
So supportive! Zola even has a T-shirt with an image of Becky on it, which he wore with a smile on Instagram
Abby Dahlkemper’s boyfriend Aaron Schoenfeld
NC Courage defender Abby, 26, sure does like her men to be athletes.
She previously dated Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler, and is now in a relationship with Aaron Schoenfeld, 29, who plays soccer for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League.
Aaron had previously played for East Tennessee State University (while Abby played for the UCLA Bruins), and went on to play for the MLS’ Columbus Crew SC from 2012 to 2015 before joining the Israeli Premier League.
The two don’t appear to have been dating for very long, though they have posted a few loved-up pictures on social media — and Aaron confirmed to Insider that he’s in France cheering on his girl.
Soccer is for lovers: NC Courage defender Abby Dahlkemper is dating Aaron Schoenfeld, who plays soccer for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League
History: Aaron had previously played for East Tennessee State University (while Abby played for the UCLA Bruins)
World travels: The two don’t appear to have been dating for very long, though they have posted a few loved-up pictures on social media
Kelley O’Hara’s boyfriend Adam Sweat
Utah Royals FC defender Kelley, 30, is pretty private about her love life, and was last linked to high school sweetheart Adam, 31.
His most recent appearance on her Instagram account was in the summer of 2008, when Kelley shared a current photo of them with their arms around each other, followed by an adorable throwback snap from high school with the pair striking a similar pose.
According to LinkedIn, Adam is an Associate Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Public Relations at Atlanta Technical College — suggesting that the two either have a long distance relationship or have split.
Sweethearts: Utah Royals FC defender Kelley, 30, is pretty private about her love life, and was last linked to high school sweetheart Adam, 31
Working man: According to LinkedIn, Adam is an Associate Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Public Relations at Atlanta Technical College
Mallory Pugh’s boyfriend Dansby Swanson
Another athletic pair, 21-year-old Washington Spirit forward Mallory hit a home run with her boyfriend, 25-year-old Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby.
Bats and nets: Mallory Pugh’s boyfriend is Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson
Whereas Mallory skipped college to play soccer professionally, Dansby played for Vanderbilt before being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks as their first overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. He was then traded to the Braves in the offseason.
Speaking to Sporting News, Dansby says he’d never have met ‘Mal’ if he hadn’t been traded.
Mallory’s brother-in-law, Jace Pederson, is second basemen for the Baltimore Orioles — and Jace is close to Dansby.
‘Me and him are pretty much family, as close as you can be without being actual family. Ride or die,’ he said. ‘So I knew Jace before I knew anything about her. She plays soccer for the U.S. Soccer team.
‘We never would have met, obviously, if I didn’t get traded to Atlanta. Would never have met Jace, the whole thing. So I’m thankful now, looking back at the little things that led to that. Would never have met her, never have had that blessing.
‘When we met was after the worst year of my life, and that completely did a 180. For whatever reason, there’s a reason. You may not see it when you’re going through it, but then all of a sudden the floodgates open up. It’s pretty awesome.’
Drafted: Dansby played for Vanderbilt before being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks as their first overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft
Turnaround: Dansby said he’d been having a bad year when they met, and she turned everything around
Adrianna Franch’s fiancée Emily Boscacci
Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna, 28, is engaged to Emily, a Client Success Manager at Cambia Health Solutions.
The two live together in Portland, Oregon, where Adrianna popped the question back in October of 2017.
‘I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have you stand by my side and I by yours for the rest of our lives! I will give you everything I am, have, and want to be!’ she wrote on Instagram at the time.
Emily’s currently in Paris to cheer Adrianna on, and in December the pair will finally said ‘I do.’
Lovebirds: Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, 28, is engaged to Emily Boscacci (right)
Getting hitched: The two live together in Portland, Oregon, where Adrianna popped the question back in October of 2017
‘I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have you stand by my side and I by yours for the rest of our lives! I will give you everything I am, have, and want to be!’ Adrianna wrote on Instagram
Tierna Davidson’s girlfriend Alison Jahansouz
The youngest player on the team, 20-year-old Tierna was playing for Stanford University until this season, when she was drafted as a defender for the Chicago Red Stars.
But she didn’t completely leave college life behind: She’s still with her girlfriend of two years, fellow former Stanford soccer player Alison.
Alison, who just graduated, tagged along to Paris for the World Cup and has been sharing pictures from the Parc Des Princes.
Staying strong: Tierna Davidson (right) is dating her former college soccer teammate Alison Jahansouz (left)
Support: Alison, who just graduated, tagged along to Paris for the World Cup and has been sharing pictures from the Parc Des Princes
Crystal Dunn’s husband Pierre Soubrier
A sign of real, true love: Crystal’s husband Pierre is French, but is rooting for the US team in the world cup.
Crystal, an NC Courage defender, married Pierre, an athletic trainer, on Long Island, New York in December, and despite being raised to root for French teams, he switched over for his wife.
‘My family is behind [Crystal] and everybody wants Crystal to succeed… We’ll always follow the French national teams, but in this specific game, obviously, it’s family over country any day,’ he told Pro Soccer USA.
‘He loves the game,’ Crystal told FrontRowSoccer.com. ‘I always have this great support system because he’s just as passionate about the game as I am. Over the dinner table it’s definitely a good conversation.’
Loyalty: Crystal Dunn’s husband Pierre Soubrier is French, but is routing for the US team in the world cup
Newlyweds: Crystal, an NC Courage defender, married Pierre, an athletic trainer, on Long Island, New York in December
Allie Long’s husband Jose Batista
Reign FC midfielder Allie, 31, married her longtime partner Jose back in the summer of 2016 — and several other soccer stars were present for the nuptials.
Alex Morgan, who organized the bachelorette party, served as maid of honor, while Tobin Heath was a bridesmaid. Kelley O’Hara, Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris, Christen Press, Emily Sonnett, and Lindsey Horan were also there.
According to Oregon Live, Jose plays soccer too, and once played professional for Sevilla FC in Puerto Rico — so he knows a good player when he sees one.
‘I admire her dedication and her will to the get to the top and be the best player she can be,’ he said.
Score! Reign FC midfielder Allie Long, 31, married her longtime partner Jose Batista back in the summer of 2016
Team! Jose plays soccer too, and once played professional for Sevilla FC in Puerto Rico — so he knows a good player when he sees one
Morgan Brian’s husband Fabrice Gautrat
Morgan, 26, has been married to Fabrice, 31, since November 2017.
The pair invited fellow soccer stars Alyssa Naeher, Kelley O’Hara, Meghan Klingenberg, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, and Sam Mewis to the event.
While Morgan is a midfielder for Chicago Red Stars, Fabrice also has a past with the game: He’s played for the Southern California Seahorses in the USL League Two, as well as several other soccer clubs.
He’s currently in France cheering on his wife.
‘Til death do them part: Morgan Brian, 26, has been married to Fabrice Gautrat, 31, since November 2017
While Morgan is a midfielder for Chicago Red Stars, Fabrice also has a past with the game: He’s played for the Southern California Seahorses in the USL League Two, as well as several other soccer clubs
Woohoo! He’s currently in France cheering on his wife (left), sitting with her family
Jessica McDonald’s husband Courtney Stuart
It’s not totally clear whether 31-year-old NC Courage forward Jessica is still married to Courtney Stuart, since she keeps pretty tight-lipped about the relationship.
What we do know is that the pair were married at one point, and together have a son, seven-year-old Jeremiah.
But in 2013, when Jessica moved with Jeremiah to Chicago to play with the Red Stars, her husband Courtney didn’t come with them, staying behind in Arizona.
‘Those first two years were just so hard,’ she told Oregon Live of her first years playing for the NWSL, functioning as a single mom and bringing her kid to practice.
‘I had already signed a contract, so I just had to suck it up. There were days when I would just go home and cry because it was that hard, but I didn’t want to give up just because things got hard, just because I was a mom. My parents gave up on their dreams in sports because they were athletes and they had me at such an early age. I didn’t want to do that.’
Soccer mom: Jessica McDonald is married to Courtney Stuart, and the two have a seven-year-old son named Jeremiah (pictured)
Several members of the team haven’t been publicly linked to significant others, though they may just keep their relationships private.
They include 24-year-old midfielder Rose Lavelle of the Washington Spirit, 31-year-old goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher of the Chicago Red Stars, 25-year-old Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan, and 25-year-old defender Emily Sonnett of the Portland Thorns FC.
There are also some rumors that 31-year-old Portland Thorns FC forward Tobin Heath is dating her teammate, 30-year-old Utah Royals FC forward Christen Press — however, these rumors appear to be mostly fueled by hopeful fans who want to see them together.
Staying single? Several members of the team haven’t been publicly linked to significant others, though they may just keep their relationships private
Potential couple? It has been rumored, mostly among fans, that Portland Thorns FC forward Tobin Heath is dating Utah Royals FC forward Christen Press