{{short description|American soccer player (born 1995)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Veronica Latsko | image = NC Courage vs Seattle Reign (Apr 2024) 064.jpg | caption = Latsko with the Seattle Reign in 2024 | fullname = Veronica Anne Latsko<ref name="UVA"/> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|12|12}} | birth_place = Venetia, Pennsylvania | height = {{height|ft=5|in=8}} | position = Forward | collegeyears1 = 2014–2017 | college1 = Virginia Cavaliers | collegecaps1 = 93 | collegegoals1 = 26 | clubs1 = Houston Dash | years1 = 2018–2021 | caps1 = 51 | goals1 = 10 | clubs2 = → Adelaide United (loan) | years2 = 2018–2019 | caps2 = 12 | goals2 = 9 | clubs3 = → Sydney FC (loan) | years3 = 2019–2020 | caps3 = 10 | goals3 = 3 | clubs4 = Seattle Reign | years4 = 2022–2025 | caps4 = 61 | goals4 = 8 | nationalteam1 = | nationalyears1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | club-update = 18:10, November 8, 2025 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = | totalcaps = 134 | totalgoals = 30 }}
'''Veronica Anne Latsko''' (born December 12, 1995) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a forward. She played college soccer for the Virginia Cavaliers before being selected by the Houston Dash in the 2018 NWSL College Draft. She has also played for fellow NWSL club Seattle Reign FC, as well as on loan for Australian teams Adelaide United and Sydney FC.
==College career== Latsko made 93 appearances for the Virginia Cavaliers during her four-year college career. In 2014 and 2017 she appeared in every game for Virginia. In 2017 she tied the UVA single-game record for points and was and All-ACC first team selection.<ref name="UVA">{{cite web |url=https://virginiasports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2844 |title=VERONICA LATSKO |access-date=August 18, 2018}}</ref>
==Club career== ===Houston Dash=== Latsko was selected by the Houston Dash with the 28th pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2018/1/18/16904980/2018-nwsl-college-draft-picks-results-all-selections-tracker |title=NWSL draft results: All the picks from all 4 rounds |access-date=August 18, 2018 |date=January 18, 2018}}</ref> On March 24 she officially signed with the club and made her debut the following day against the Chicago Red Stars.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/games/info/mjqdismseaf7rp3yrx2wacq |title=Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars |date=March 25, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630125415/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/games/info/mjqdismseaf7rp3yrx2wacq |archive-date=June 30, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2018/03/24/houston-dash-sign-four-players-eve-nwsl-regular-season |title=Houston Dash sign four players on eve of NWSL regular season |access-date=August 18, 2018 |date=March 24, 2018}}</ref>
Latsko scored her first career goal on May 18 against Sky Blue FC, her goal was the game-winning goal in a 3–2 win for Houston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/veronica-latsko#gamelog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610030753/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/veronica-latsko#gamelog |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 10, 2018 |title=Veronica Latsko |access-date=August 18, 2018 }}</ref> She also scored the game-winning goal on May 24 against the Seattle Reign. It was Houston's first ever win over Seattle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/houston-dash-earn-clubs-first-win-over-seattle-reign/ |title=Houston Dash earn club's first win over Seattle Reign |access-date=August 18, 2018 |date=May 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818182151/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/houston-dash-earn-clubs-first-win-over-seattle-reign/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Loan to Adelaide United==== Latsko signed with Adelaide United for the 2018–19 W-League season, alongside Houston Dash teammate Amber Brooks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.w-league.com.au/news/adelaide-sign-exciting-american-forward |title=Adelaide sign exciting American forward |access-date=October 16, 2018 |date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017082306/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/adelaide-sign-exciting-american-forward |url-status=dead }}</ref> Latsko finished tied for second in the Golden Boot race with 9 goals, 4 behind Golden Boot winner Sam Kerr.
====Loan to Sydney==== Latsko returned to Australia for the 2019–20 W-League season, signing on loan with Sydney FC joining Houston Dash teammate Sofia Huerta.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thewomensgame.com/news/sydney-poach-magnificent-nwsl-star-striker-532590 |title=Sydney poach 'magnificent' NWSL star striker |publisher=The Women's Game |date=18 October 2019}}</ref>
=== Seattle Reign === In January 2022, the Dash traded Latsko to Seattle Reign FC in exchange for the Reign's 3rd round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, along with $30,000 in NWSL allocation money.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OL Reign Acquire Rights to Veronica Latsko in Trade with Houston |url=https://www.reignfc.com/news/ol-reign-acquire-rights-to-veronica-latsko-in-trade-with-houston-zw8l2 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Seattle Reign FC |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Houston Dynamo |title=Houston Dash trade rights to forward Veronica Latsko to OL Reign {{!}} Houston Dynamo |url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/houstondash/news/houston-dash-trade-rights-to-forward-veronica-latsko-to-ol-reign |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Houston Dynamo FC |language=en}}</ref> Latsko scored her first goal with the Reign on March 26, 2022, in a 3–1 win over Angel City FC in the NWSL Challenge Cup. She notched her first assist with her new club in the same match.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Match Recap: OL Reign Soar Past Angel City with Three Goals |url=https://www.reignfc.com/news/match-recap-ol-reign-soar-past-angel-city-with-three-goals-4jbw6 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Seattle Reign FC |language=en-US}}</ref> During the 2022 Challenge Cup, Latsko started all 7 of the Reign's games, including a semifinal defeat to the Washington Spirit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kriger |first=Rachael |date=2022-07-26 |title=Veronica Latsko embraces change, veteran leadership with OL Reign |url=https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2022/07/26/veronica-latsko-embraces-change-veteran-leadership-with-ol-reign/#google_vignette |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Pittsburgh Soccer Now |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NWSL |date=2022-05-04 |title=Match Recap: Spirit outlast Reign in penalty shootout, advance to Challenge Cup Final {{!}} National Women's Soccer League Official Site |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/match-preview-washington-spirit-vs-ol-reign-05-04-22 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=NWSL |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Latsko and the Reign advanced to the NWSL playoffs. Latsko scored in both the Reign's quarterfinal and semifinal games,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-21 |title=Reign advance to NWSL semifinal with 1-0 win over Angel City |url=https://apnews.com/article/reign-angel-city-megan-rapinoe-veronica-latsko-51337ed45ff4e0ef62892856f4295fef |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-05 |title=Veronica Latsko scores to send OL Reign to NWSL championship match |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/veronica-latsko-scores-to-send-ol-reign-to-nwsl-championship-match/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> netting the lone goals of the match in each fixture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hettesheimer |first=Cassidy |date=2023-11-11 |title=Veronica Latsko helps OL Reign to NWSL Championship final |url=https://herfootballhub.com/veronica-latsko-helps-ol-reign-to-nwsl-championship-with-pair-of-clutch-game-winners/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Her Football Hub |language=en-GB}}</ref> She started in the championship match against NJ/NY Gotham FC, which the Reign lost, 2–1. Latsko had a one-on-one opportunity in front of goal during the second half, but her attempt was saved by opposing goalkeeper Mandy Haught.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Communications |first=Gotham FC |date=2023-11-12 |title=Match Recap: NJ/NY Gotham FC Win NWSL Championship |url=https://www.gothamfc.com/news_article/show/1291137 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=NJ/NY Gotham FC |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-12 |title=NWSL Championship score: NY/NJ Gotham FC win title as OL Reign lose final, Megan Rapinoe to early injury |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/nwsl-championship-score-nynj-gotham-fc-win-it-all-as-ol-reign-lose-final-megan-rapinoe-to-early-injury/live/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> On February 7, 2024, the Latsko and the Reign agreed to a contract extension through 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seattle Reign FC Extends Forward Veronica Latsko Through 2025 |url=https://www.reignfc.com/news/seattle-reign-fc-extends-forward-veronica-latsko-through-2025 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Seattle Reign FC |language=en-US}}</ref>
On September 12, 2025, Latsko announced that she would retire from professional soccer at the end of the 2025 NWSL season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reignfc.com/news/veronica-latsko-set-to-retire-at-the-conclusion-of-the-2025-season|title=Veronica Latsko Set to Retire at the Conclusion of the 2025 Season|website=Seattle Reign FC}}</ref>
== Honors == '''Houston Dash''' * NWSL Challenge Cup: 2020
'''OL Reign''' * The Women's Cup: 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=OL Reign Claim 2022 Women's Cup Title with 2-1 Win over Louisville |url=https://www.king5.com/article/sports/ol-reign-claim-2022-womens-cup-title-with-2-1-win-over-louisville/281-02e341dc-0186-4c81-b6a1-50662c2a15a7 |publisher=King 5 |access-date=7 October 2022 |date=20 August 2022}}</ref> * NWSL Shield: 2022<ref>{{cite web |last1=Azzi |first1=Alex |title=OL Reign wins 2022 NWSL Shield, Gotham denies Thorns |url=https://onherturf.nbcsports.com/2022/10/02/ol-reign-wins-2022-nwsl-shield-gotham-denies-thorns/ |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=7 October 2022 |date=2 October 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{NWSL player|veronica-anne-latsko|Veronica Latsko}} * [https://www.reignfc.com/veronica-latsko Veronica Latsko] at Seattle Reign FC {{2018–19 W-League PFA Team of the Season}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Latsko, Veronica}} Category:Living people Category:National Women's Soccer League players Category:Houston Dash players Category:Adelaide United FC (women) players Category:Sydney FC (women) players Category:Sportspeople from Washington County, Pennsylvania Category:Soccer players from Pennsylvania Category:American women's soccer players Category:Virginia Cavaliers women's soccer players Category:1995 births Category:Houston Dash draft picks Category:Women's association football forwards Category:Seattle Reign FC players Category:21st-century American sportswomen