{{Short description|American soccer player (born 2000)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Maycee Bell | image = Maycee Bell Gotham NC Courage Mar 21 2026-162 (cropped).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Bell with the North Carolina Courage in 2026 | full_name = Maycee Nicole Bell<ref name="UNC"/> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|09|18}} | birth_place = Wichita, Kansas, U.S. | height = 5 ft 11 in | position = Center back | currentclub = North Carolina Courage | clubnumber = 27 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Sporting Blue Valley | collegeyears1 = 2019–2023 | college1 = North Carolina Tar Heels | collegecaps1 = 77 | collegegoals1 = 7 | years1 = 2024 | clubs1 = NJ/NY Gotham FC | caps1 = 8 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2024– | clubs2 = North Carolina Courage | caps2 = 26 | goals2 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2017–2018 | nationalteam1 = United States U-19 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2018–2020 | nationalteam2 = United States U-20 | nationalcaps2 = 8 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | medaltemplates = | club-update = November 2, 2025 | nationalteam-update = <!--soccerway, jan 6 2024--> }} '''Maycee Nicole Bell''' (born September 18, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels, earning All-American honors twice. She was drafted by NJ/NY Gotham FC in the first round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, then traded to the Courage during her rookie year. She represented the United States at the youth international level.
==Early life==
Bell was born in Wichita, Kansas, to former college basketball players Brett and Kristy Bell, and has five younger siblings.<ref name="UNC">{{cite web |url=https://goheels.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/maycee-bell/24511 |title=Maycee Bell – Women's Soccer |publisher=University of North Carolina Athletics |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref> She began playing soccer as a forward but was converted to center back at her first youth national team training camp in 2014.<ref name="WE24">{{cite news |url=https://www.kansas.com/sports/varsity-kansas/varsity-soccer/article288375820.html |title=Wichita native Maycee Bell enjoying budding women's soccer stardom in NWSL for Gotham FC |last=Eldridge |first=Taylor |date=May 7, 2024 |newspaper=The Wichita Eagle |access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref> She said she "realized I loved stopping people from scoring more than I actually loved scoring" and modeled her game partly after national team defender Becky Sauerbrunn.<ref name="WE24"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allforxi.com/2024/3/22/24108232/maycee-bell-is-taking-it-day-by-day-with-gotham-fc |title=Maycee Bell is taking it 'day by day' with Gotham FC |date=March 22, 2024 |first=Kudzi |last=Musarurwa |website=All for XI |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=April 24, 2024}}</ref>
Bell played one year of high school soccer as a freshman at Trinity Academy, scoring 19 goals at forward in 14 games, and was named Kansas's Gatorade Player of the Year for 2015–16.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2016/gatorade-kansas-girls-soccer-poy-maycee-bell |title=Kansas Girls Soccer POY: Maycee Bell |date=May 17, 2016 |website=USA Today High School Sports |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kansas.com/sports/high-school/article79283262.html |title=Girls soccer quarterfinals: Injury-depleted Derby fights on |last=Eldridge |first=Taylor |date=May 23, 2016 |newspaper=The Wichita Eagle |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240107004336/https://www.kansas.com/sports/high-school/article79283262.html |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}<br/>{{cite news |url=https://www.kansas.com/sports/varsity-kansas/article162461673.html |title=State girls soccer: Trinity Academy reaches semifinals even with absence of state's best player |last=Eldridge |first=Taylor |date=May 26, 2016 |newspaper=The Wichita Eagle |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240107004334/https://www.kansas.com/sports/varsity-kansas/article162461673.html |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> She moved to the Kansas City area to play year-round with ECNL club Sporting Blue Valley, which she captained from 2014 to 2017, and attended Blue Valley Southwest, Blue Valley West, and Insight School of Kansas.<ref name="UNC"/><ref name="WE24"/> Bell moved to North Carolina in her senior year to play for the North Carolina Courage Academy and would train with the Courage first team during her college off-seasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nccourage.com/news/maycee-bells-return-spotlights-connection-between-courage-and-ncfc-youth/ |title=Maycee Bell's return spotlights connection between Courage and NCFC Youth |last=Schnittker |first=Nicholas |date=September 12, 2024 |publisher=North Carolina Courage |access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
==College career==
Bell started for the North Carolina Tar Heels from her first week in 2019, when she was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://theacc.com/news/2019/8/27/womens-soccer-pitts-west-uncs-bell-earn-acc-player-of-the-week-honors.aspx |title=Pitt's West, UNC's Bell Earn ACC Player of the Week Honors |date=August 27, 2019 |publisher=Atlantic Coast Conference |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref> She scored a career-high three goals as a freshman, including one in the ACC tournament final and one during the NCAA tournament, where the team finished runners-up.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://theacc.com/news/2019/11/10/north-carolina-wins-acc-womens-soccer-championship-in-double-overtime.aspx |title=North Carolina Wins ACC Women's Soccer Championship in Double Overtime |date=November 10, 2019 |publisher=Atlantic Coast Conference |access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/29/womens-soccer-tar-heels-persevere-to-advance-to-29th-college-cup |title=Tar Heels Persevere To Advance To 29th College Cup |date=November 29, 2019 |last=Lohse |first=Dave |publisher=University of North Carolina Athletics |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref> She was named ACC Freshman of the Year, second-team All-ACC, and third-team All-American.<ref name="UNC"/> She was named to the All-ACC first team for fall 2020, and she recovered from ankle surgery to return in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament that spring.<ref name="UNC"/><ref name="NCAA2021">{{cite news |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/soccer-women/article/2021-09-03/fully-healthy-north-carolinas-maycee-bell-ready-stanford-again-another-ncaa-title |title=Fully healthy, North Carolina's Maycee Bell is ready for Stanford (again), another NCAA title run |date=September 3, 2021 |last=Bode |first=Natalie |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref>
Bell was named first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American as a junior in 2021, though she injured her left ankle in the pensultimate regular-season game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://goheels.com/news/2021/11/4/womens-soccer-five-tar-heels-earn-all-acc-honors |title=Five Tar Heels Earn All-ACC Honors |date=November 4, 2021 |publisher=University of North Carolina Athletics |access-date=January 6, 2024}}<br/>{{cite news |url=https://goheels.com/news/2021/12/10/womens-soccer-three-tar-heels-earn-postseason-accolades |title=Three Tar Heels Earn Postseason Accolades |date=December 10, 2021 |publisher=University of North Carolina Athletics |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.unc.edu/posts/2021/10/25/dorrance-womens-soccer-capture-900th-program-win/ |title=Dorrance, women's soccer captures 900th program win |date=October 25, 2021 |publisher=University of North Carolina |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref> She sat out the following season after tearing her meniscus in the first game of 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://goheels.com/news/2022/8/26/womens-soccer-unc-defender-maycee-bell-to-miss-reaminder-of-the-season |title=Women's Soccer Defender Maycee Bell To Miss Remainder Of The Season |last=Jones |first=Jody |date=August 26, 2022 |publisher=University of North Carolina Athletics |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref> She returned for a fifth year to co-captain North Carolina as a redshirt senior and was named to the All-ACC second team in 2023.<ref name="UNC"/>
==Club career== ===Gotham FC=== Reigning NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham FC selected Bell with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, their sole pick of the night.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 NWSL Draft |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/nwsldraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115195113/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/nwsldraft |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=February 14, 2024 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League}}</ref> She was signed to a three-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2024 |title=Gotham FC Signs Defender Maycee Bell to Multiyear Contract |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news_article/show/1300245-gotham-fc-signs-defender-maycee-bell-to-multiyear-contract |access-date=February 14, 2024 |publisher=NJ/NY Gotham FC |language=en-us}}</ref> On March 15, she made her professional debut as a substitute in the NWSL Challenge Cup, a 1–0 loss to the San Diego Wave.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://skyscraperblues.com/posts/gotham-fc-falls-san-diego-wave-nwsl-challenge-cup |title=Gotham FC falls to the San Diego Wave in the NWSL Challenge Cup |last=Chale |first=Caitlyn |website=Skyscraper Blues |publisher=Minute Media |date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024}}</ref> She made her first regular-season appearance on April 20, coming in for Bruninha in a 2–1 away defeat to the Washington Spirit.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news_article/show/1307681 |title=Match Recap: Gotham FC Falls 2–0 to Washington Spirit |date=April 20, 2024 |publisher=NJ/NY Gotham FC |access-date=April 24, 2024}}</ref> She earned her first start on May 8, taking Bruninha's place in a 1–0 win against the Houston Dash.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://skyscraperblues.com/posts/gotham-fc-secures-1-0-win-against-houston-dash |title=Gotham FC secures the 1-0 win against the Houston Dash |last=Vairo |first=Paulina |date=May 8, 2024 |website=Skyscraper Blues |publisher=Minute Media |access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref> On June 19, she scored her first professional goal in late stoppage time against the San Diego Wave, finishing off Jenna Nighswonger's cross to secure a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://deadspin.com/maycee-bell-lifts-gotham-past-wave-in-2nd-half-stoppage-time/ |title=Maycee Bell lifts Gotham past Wave in 2nd-half stoppage time |date=June 20, 2024 |access-date=June 19, 2024 |website=Deadspin}}</ref> She started four games in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, helping Gotham advance to the final. In half a season with Gotham, she made 13 appearances (7 starts) and scored 1 goal in all competitions.<ref name="SW">{{Soccerway}}</ref>
===North Carolina Courage=== On August 21, 2024, Gotham FC traded Bell to the North Carolina Courage for $80,000 in allocation money and $10,000 in intra-league transfer funds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nccourage.com/news/courage-acquires-former-unc-standout-maycee-bell/ |title=Courage acquires former UNC standout Maycee Bell |date=August 21, 2024 |publisher=North Carolina Courage |access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref> She debuted for her former youth club on September 8, substituting late for Felicitas Rauch in a 4–1 win against the San Diego Wave.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nccourage.com/news/recap-courage-rides-wave-4-1-sunday/ |title=Recap: Courage rides Wave, 4-1, Sunday |date=September 8, 2024 |publisher=North Carolina Courage |access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
Bell made her first start for the Courage on March 22, 2025, playing left back in the home-opening 2–1 loss to the Seattle Reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/4b32b951/matchlogs/2025/Maycee-Bell-Match-Logs|title=Maycee Bell 2025 Match Logs|website=FBref.com|access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref> On April 13, she made her first Courage start at center back after Malia Berkely was a late scratch against Gotham FC.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nccourage.com/news/match-recap-gotham-fc-3-1-nc-courage|title=Match Recap: Gotham FC 3–1 NC Courage|access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref> North Carolina head coach Sean Nahas, who had coached her with the Courage Academy, subsequently trusted her as a regular starter.<ref name="NC25">{{cite news|url=https://www.nccourage.com/news/maycee-bell-stepping-up-standing-out-in-new-courage-system|title=Maycee Bell stepping up, standing out in new Courage system |date=2025-05-09|publisher=North Carolina Courage|access-date=2025-06-14}}</ref> On May 3, she won all eight duels and three tackles during a 2–0 win over the Utah Royals, becoming the first NWSL player in five years to go 100% in those statistics on that many attempts.<ref name="NC25"/> She finished the season with 24 appearances, starting 21, as the Courage placed ninth and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/4b32b951/matchlogs/2025/Maycee-Bell-Match-Logs|title=Maycee Bell 2025 Match Logs|website=FBref.com|access-date=2025-12-05}}</ref> On December 5, the Courage announced that they had signed Bell to a contract extension through 2028.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nccourage.com/news/nc-courage-maycee-bell-agree-to-multi-year-contract-extension|title=NC Courage, Maycee Bell Agree to Multi-Year Contract Extension|date=2025-12-05|publisher=North Carolina Courage|access-date=2025-12-05}}</ref>
==International career==
Bell trained with the United States youth national team beginning at the under-16 level in 2014.<ref name="UNC"/> She scored for the under-20 team in a friendly in March 2019 and recorded an assist at the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship, which the United States won.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/u-s-u-20-womens-national-team-ends-la-manga-event-on-high-note/ |title=U.S. U-20 Women's National Team ends La Manga event on high note |date=March 14, 2019 |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |via=SoccerWire |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2020/02/u20-uswnt-advances-to-knockout-stage-of-world-cup-qualifying-with-4-0-win-vs-dominican-republic |title=U-20 USWNT Advances to Knockout Stage of World Cup Qualifying With 4-0 Win Vs. Dominican Republic |date=February 24, 2020 |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref> She received her first call-up with the senior national team in December 2019 but had to miss the camp due to injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/11/andonovski-names-24-player-roster-for-uswnt-december-identification-training-camp-in-florida |title=Andonovski Names 24-Player Roster For U.S. Women's National Team December Identification Training Camp in Florida |date=November 27, 2019 |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |access-date=January 6, 2024}}<br/>{{cite news |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2020/02/five-things-to-know-about-the-2020-concacaf-womens-u20-championship |title=Five Things to Know About the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship |date=February 20, 2020 |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |access-date=January 6, 2024}}</ref>
==Honors and awards==
'''North Carolina Tar Heels''' *Atlantic Coast Conference: 2019, 2020, 2022 *ACC tournament: 2019
'''Individual''' *Second-team All-American: 2021 *Third-team All-American: 2019 *First-team All-ACC: 2020, 2021 *Second-team All-ACC: 2019, 2023 *ACC Freshman of the Year: 2019 *ACC tournament all-tournament team: 2019
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Sports links}}
{{North Carolina Courage squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Maycee}} Category:Living people Category:2000 births Category:Soccer players from Wichita, Kansas Category:American women's soccer players Category:United States women's youth international soccer players Category:United States women's under-20 international soccer players Category:North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer players Category:Gotham FC draft picks Category:Gotham FC players Category:National Women's Soccer League players Category:North Carolina Courage players Category:21st-century American sportswomen Category:African-American soccer players Category:Soccer players from Overland Park, Kansas Category:Women's association football central defenders