Malia Berkely, #7
Pronunciation: “mah-LEE-ah BIRK-lee”
Position: DEF
Height: 5-8
Birthday: 2/13/98
Hometown (Affiliation): Liberty Twp., OH (USA)
College: Florida State
NWSL Experience: 4th Year
Acquired: via transfer from FC Girondins de Bordeaux
2024: Became the first NWSL player to record three assists in a single half, doing so against San Diego… earned monthly Best XI honors twice during the season… played in all but one game, scoring once and assisting three times… created 14 chances and passed at 89.02%… won 22 tackles and 63 duels, while making 19 interceptions. Summer Cup: Played every minute of the competition… passed at 91.04% and won 100% of tackles attempted.
2023: Made 17 appearances, all of which were starts, logging 1,473 minutes… completed 89.8% of passes in the regular season, the highest percentage in the league… won 65.6% of duels and 60% of tackles… made 11 interceptions and 50 clearances… named to July Best XI. Challenge Cup: Started all eight games of the competition, logging 706 minutes and one goal… won 67.4% of duels and 53.3% of tackles… completed 90.5% of passes… named to All-Tournament Team.
2022: Joined the club following a transfer agreement with FC Girondins de Bordeaux… appeared in 16 games, including 11 starts, logging 942 minutes… completed 81.1% of passes… won 58.3% of duels and 56.4% of tackles… made 14 interceptions and 14 clearances. Challenge Cup: Appeared in seven games, including five starts, logging 468 minutes and one goal… won 58.6% of duels and 60% of tackles, making 13 interceptions and 11 clearances… completed 74.1% of passes.
Prior to Courage: Played two seasons with FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France, making 10 appearances… started all 22 games for FSU as a true freshman in 2016, helping the Seminoles win their fourth consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference title… missed 2017 season due to injury… was the only player to start every game of the 2018 season for FSU, leading the team in minutes en route to the 2018 College Cup title… led the team in minute again in 2019… played every minute of shortened 2020 season… named 2019 and 2020 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, named MAC Herman Trophy semifinalist multiple times and a finalist in 2020… named to United Soccer Coaches All-American First-Team in 2019 and 2020… won a national championship with Florida State in 2018.
International: Represented U.S. at multiple youth levels including the U-23 team at the 2019 La Manga Tournament.
Media: Malia Berkely on recent performances, martial arts influence and Bay FC match (Attacking Third).
