{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1997)}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ellie Jean | fullname = Elisabeth Charlotte Jean<ref name="psu-profile"/> | image = Ellie Jean Gotham FC v Racing Louisville 3 May 2026-25 (cropped).jpg | caption = Jean with Racing Louisville in 2026 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|01|31}}<ref name="njy-profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/21-jean |title=#21 Ellie Jean |publisher=NJ/NY Gotham FC |access-date=June 10, 2023}}</ref> | birth_place = Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States<ref name="psu-profile"/><!-- Conflicts with "hometown" references to Coventry, CT --> | height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}}<ref name="njy-profile"/> | position = Defender | currentclub = Racing Louisville FC | clubnumber = 5 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Oakwood SC | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = | collegeyears1 = 2015–2018 | college1 = Penn State Nittany Lions | collegecaps1 = 100 | collegegoals1 = 8 | clubs1 = New England Mutiny | years1 = 2018–2019 | caps1 = | goals1 = | clubs2 = FC Nordsjælland | years2 = 2020 | caps2 = | goals2 = | clubs3 = PSV Eindhoven | years3 = 2020–2022 | caps3 = 22 | goals3 = | clubs4 = NJ/NY Gotham FC | years4 = 2022–2023 | caps4 = 32 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2024– | clubs5 = Racing Louisville FC | caps5 = 31 | goals5 = 1 | nationalteam1 = United States U17 | nationalyears1 = 2013 | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | nationalteam2 = United States U20 | nationalyears2 = 2016 | nationalcaps2 = | nationalgoals2 = | nationalteam3 = United States U23 | nationalyears3 = 2017–2018 | nationalcaps3 = | nationalgoals3 = | club-update = November 8, 2025 | nationalteam-update = June 10, 2023 }} '''Elisabeth Charlotte Jean''' (born January 31, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
== Early life == Jean was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee,<ref name="psu-profile"/> and grew up in Coventry, Connecticut. As a child, she practiced gymnastics before taking up soccer, initially at Northeast United.<ref name="hc-profile-2016"/> At age 13, she moved teams to youth soccer club Oakwood SC in Glastonbury, Connecticut, where she played for five years.<ref name="hc-profile-2016"/> She attended Coventry High School but did not play soccer for the school, instead competing in cross country running.<ref name="psu-profile">{{cite web |url=https://gopsusports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/ellie-jean/9451 |title=Ellie Jean |access-date=June 10, 2023 |publisher=Penn State Nittany Lions}}</ref><ref name="hc-profile-2016"/> The ''Hartford Courant'' named her its cross country runner of the year in her senior year.<ref name="hc-profile-2016"/>
== College career == In the 2015 season, Jean was credited with six assists in 26 matches played for the Nittany Lions, and the team won the national championship.<ref name="nesj-uwcl"/><ref name="hc-profile-2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.courant.com/2016/10/27/coventrys-ellie-jean-ready-for-u-20-world-cup-soccer-run/ |title=Coventry's Ellie Jean Ready For U-20 World Cup Soccer Run |date=October 27, 2016 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Hartford Courant |first=Lori |last=Riley}}</ref> She redshirted in her sophomore season to play for the United States women's national under-20 soccer team at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.<ref name="psu-profile"/> Jean finished her Penn State career in 2018 with 100 appearances, one goal, and eight assists.<ref name="njy-profile"/>
== Club career == thumb|upright|Jean with Racing Louisville in 2025 Jean played for the New England Mutiny of United Women's Soccer in 2018 and 2019.<ref name="uws-signing">{{cite press release |url=https://uwssoccer.com/2020-pro-signing-series-2/ |title=Five More UWS Alumnae Sign Pro Deals |date=August 17, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |publisher=United Women's Soccer |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610181518/https://uwssoccer.com/2020-pro-signing-series-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== FC Nordsjælland, 2020 === Jean opted not to register for the 2020 NWSL College Draft.<ref name="njy-jean-signed">{{cite press release |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news_article/show/1206427 |title=NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Champions League Experience, Signing Defender Ellie Jean |date=January 31, 2022 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |publisher=NJ/NY Gotham FC}}</ref>
On January 14, 2020, Jean signed a contract with semi-professional Danish club FC Nordsjælland of the Danish Women's League.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nesoccerjournal.com/ellie-jean-signs-with-danish-club-fc-nordsjaelland-after-penn-state-career/ |title=Ellie Jean signs with FC Nordsjælland: "I wanted to branch out" |date=January 14, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=New England Soccer Journal |first=Jonathan |last=Sigal}}</ref> However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, all sport in Denmark was locked down and banned on March 6, 2020, suspending the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/2020-03-06-sporten-lukker-ned-i-danmark-faa-overblikket-her|title=Sporten lukker ned i Danmark: Få overblikket her|publisher=TV2|date=6 March 2020|language=Danish}}</ref> Jean returned to the United States in March.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.psucollegian.com/sports/women_soccer/former-penn-state-women-s-soccer-player-ellie-jean-strives-to-make-a-difference-on/article_f6942c86-39b4-11eb-8d2c-ffdd0f796058.html |title=Former Penn State women's soccer player Ellie Jean strives to make a difference on and off the field |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Daily Collegian |first=Madeline |last=Lapreziosa}}</ref>
=== PSV Eindhoven, 2020–2022 === On May 1, 2020, Jean was transferred to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and signed a two-year contract with the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nesoccerjournal.com/ellie-jean-signs-with-psv-eindhoven-fc-nordsjaelland/ |title=Ellie Jean signs with PSV Eindhoven: How the transfer came together |date=May 4, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=New England Soccer Journal |first=Jonathan |last=Sigal}}</ref> She appeared in 22 league matches for PSV, and four matches of the team's 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League campaign, debuting in the European competition in December 2020 in a 1–4 loss to FC Barcelona.<ref name="njy-jean-signed"/><ref name="nesj-uwcl">{{cite news |url=https://www.nesoccerjournal.com/ellie-jean-champions-league-psv-eindhoven-fc-barcelona/ |title=Ellie Jean plays in Champions League for PSV Eindhoven vs. FC Barcelona |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=New England Soccer Journal |first=Jonathan |last=Sigal}}</ref>
=== NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2022–2023 === On January 31, 2022, NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC paid an undisclosed transfer fee to acquire Jean from PSV with six months remaining on her contract with the Dutch club.<ref name="psv-exit">{{cite press release |url=https://www.psv.nl/nieuwspagina/artikel/jean-maakt-transfer-naar-gotham-fc-.htm |title=Jean maakt transfer naar Gotham FC |trans-title=Jean transfers to Gotham FC |date=January 31, 2022 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |publisher=PSV Eindhoven}}</ref> Gotham signed her to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ed.nl/vrouwenvoetbal/gotham-fc-koopt-contract-ellie-jean-bij-psv-af~aca7d2f3/ |title=Gotham FC koopt contract Ellie Jean bij PSV af |date=February 1, 2022 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |first=Linda |last=Derksen |work=ED |language=nl}}</ref>
In 2023, newly appointed Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós shifted Jean from her traditional role as a fullback to center back, pairing her with Ali Krieger.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hudsonriverblue.com/the-secret-of-their-success-this-is-why-gotham-fc-now-top-nwsl-table/ |title=The secrets of their success: Why Gotham FC now top NWSL table |date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Hudson River Blue |first=Cameron |last=Albert}}</ref> Gotham FC would go on to win the NWSL Championship.
=== Racing Louisville FC, 2024– === On December 12, 2023 Gotham FC traded Jean to expansion team Bay FC in exchange for 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft protection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Bay FC Acquires defender Ellie Jean from NJ/NY Gotham FC, Allocation Money from Racing Louisville FC in three-team trade |url=https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-acquires-defender-ellie-jean-from-nj-ny-gotham-fc-allocation-money-from-racing-louisville-fc-in-three-team-trade/ |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Bay FC |language=en-US}}</ref> On December 18, Jean was traded to Racing Louisville FC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2023/12/18/racing-acquires-defender-ellie-jean-in-trade/|title=Racing acquires defender Ellie Jean in trade}}</ref>
== International career == Jean was called into camp for the United States under-15 team in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/48771/us-under-15-and-under-14-national-team-rosters.html |title=U.S. under-15 and under-14 national team rosters |date=October 18, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Soccer America}}</ref>
On September 25, 2013, Jean was named to the United States under-17 roster for the 2013 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/53928/us-under-17-womens-national-team-roster.html?edition=10470 |title=U.S. under-17 women's national team roster |date=September 25, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Soccer America}}</ref> Jean captained the team at the tournament.<ref name="njy-profile"/><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/u17-wnt-beats-canada-2-0-to-win-group-b_aid31801 |title=J17 WNT beats Canada 2–0 to win Group B |date=November 4, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=TopDrawerSoccer.com |publisher=United States Soccer Federation}}</ref>
In 2016, Jean started in all six matches for the United States under-20 team at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.<ref name="nesj-uwcl"/>
In March 2017, Jean was called into camp for the United States under-23 team for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-soccer/article140236613.html |title=Ellie Jean, Kaleigh Riehl selected for U.S. U-23 camp |date=March 22, 2017 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Centre Daily Times}}</ref> In June 2017, she was named to the under-23 roster for the 2017 Nordic Cup, where the United States finished in second place.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://gopsusports.com/news/2017/6/12/U_S_U_23_WNT_Finishes_Second_at_Four_Nations_Nordic_Tournament.aspx |title=U.S. U-23 WNT Finishes Second at Four-Nations Nordic Tournament |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |publisher=Penn State Nittany Lions}}</ref> Jean was called into under-23 camp again in July 2017<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://gohuskies.com/news/2017/7/21/womens-soccer-us-womens-u-23-camp-coming-to-uw-campus |title=U.S. {{as written|Wom|ens' [sic]}} U-23 Camp Coming To UW Campus |date=July 21, 2017 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |publisher=Washington Huskies}}</ref> and January 2018,<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/roster-announced-for-first-u-s-u-23-wnt-training-camp-of-2018/ |title=Roster announced for first U.S. U-23 WNT training camp of 2018 |date=January 2, 2018 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=SoccerWire |publisher=United States Soccer Federation}}</ref> and in March was named to the roster that would compete in the 2018 Portland Thorns FC Spring Invitational pre-season tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.soccertoday.com/u23-womens-roster-for-thorns-spring-invitational/ |title=U223 Women's Roster for Thorns Spring Invitational |date=March 8, 2018 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=SoccerToday |first=Diane |last=Scavuzzo}}</ref>
== Personal life == Jean is Dominican American.<ref name="biad-2020"/><ref name="nr-profile-2022"/>
Jean's birth father, Domingo Jean, had been a pitcher for the New York Yankees in 1993.<ref name="hc-profile-2016"/> He left the family when Jean was a child, and Jean's mother, Rebecca, raised her as a single parent.<ref name="biad-2020">{{cite interview |url=https://www.burnitalldownpod.com/episodes/interview-best-of-2020-part-3-black-women-athletes-speak-out |title=Interview: Best of 2020 Part 3, Black Women Athletes Speak Out |first=Ellie |last=Jean |interviewer=Amira Rose Davis |work=Burn It All Down |date=June 5, 2020 |access-date=June 10, 2023}}</ref> Jean's mother remarried, and Jean's stepfather Kevin Bacher was an assistant coach for the UConn Huskies men's soccer team,<ref name="hc-profile-2016"/><ref name="nr-profile-2022">{{cite news |url=https://netsrepublic.com/gotham-has-a-new-defender-ellie-jean/ |title=Gotham Has a New Defender: Ellie Jean |date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=Nets Republic |first=Jenna |last=Tonelli}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nesoccerjournal.com/oakwood-midfielder-owen-guglielmino-commits-to-uconn/ |title=Oakwood midfielder Owen Guglielmino verbally commits to UConn |date=October 8, 2018 |access-date=June 10, 2023 |work=New England Soccer Journal |first=Jonathan |last=Sigal}}</ref> which inspired Jean to play soccer. Jean would later reconnect with her father and half-brother as an adult after returning to the United States from the Netherlands in 2022.<ref name="nr-profile-2022"/>
== Honors == '''Penn State Nittany Lions''' * Women's College Cup champion: 2015<ref name="nesj-uwcl"/>
'''PSV Eindhoven''' * KNVB Women's Cup: 2020–21<ref name="psv-exit"/>
'''NJ/NY Gotham FC''' * NWSL Championship: 2023<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-11 |title=NWSL Championship highlights: Gotham FC crowned champions as Rapinoe, Krieger end careers |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/nwsl/2023/11/11/nwsl-championship-megan-rapinoe-live-updates-ol-reign-gotham-fc/71539239007/ |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{NWSL|elisabeth-charlotte-jean|Ellie Jean}} * [https://www.racingloufc.com/roster/ellie-jean/ Ellie Jean #5] at Racing Louisville FC * [https://www.gothamfc.com/21-jean Ellie Jean #21] at NJ/NY Gotham FC * [https://gopsusports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/ellie-jean/9451 Ellie Jean #14] at Penn State Nittany Lions * [https://web.archive.org/web/20210422073343/https://www.psv.nl/psv/team/speler/ellie-jean-1.htm Ellie Jean] at PSV (archived) {{in lang|nl}} * {{Soccerway|ellie-jean/467993}} * {{FBref player|feb132ed}}
{{Racing Louisville FC squad}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jean, Ellie}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:African-American soccer players Category:American people of Dominican Republic descent Category:Sportspeople of Dominican Republic descent Category:American women's soccer players Category:Soccer players from Tennessee Category:Sportspeople from Chattanooga, Tennessee Category:Women's association football defenders Category:American expatriate women's soccer players Category:Expatriate women's footballers in the Netherlands Category:American expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Category:Penn State Nittany Lions women's soccer players Category:United States women's under-20 international soccer players Category:New England Mutiny players Category:FC Nordsjælland players Category:PSV (women) players Category:Gotham FC players Category:United Women's Soccer players Category:Eredivisie (women) players Category:National Women's Soccer League players Category:United States women's youth international soccer players Category:21st-century American sportswomen