Sarina Isabel Calpo Bolden (born June 30, 1996)[1] is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for A-League Women club Newcastle Jets. She[a] represents the Philippines women's national team.[3]

Sarina Bolden
Bolden in 2022
Personal information
Full name Sarina Isabel Calpo Bolden
Date of birth (1996-06-30) June 30, 1996 (age 27)
Place of birth Santa Clara, California, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Newcastle Jets
Number 11
Youth career
MVLA Mercury Black
DeAnza Force
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Loyola Marymount Lions 71 (18)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Sandvikens IF
2020 Xinbei Hangyuan
2021 San Francisco Nighthawks
2021–2022 Elfen Saitama 13 (0)
2022–2023 Western Sydney Wanderers 10 (1)
2023– Newcastle Jets 18 (14)
International career
2018– Philippines 50 (28)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing the  Philippines
AFF Women's Championship
Winner 2022 Philippines Team
Southeast Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Vietnam Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:15; February 17, 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of April 6, 2024 (UTC)

Bolden holds the distinction of having scored the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup goal for the Philippines. On July 25, 2023, Bolden scored a header against co-host New Zealand to clinch the country's historic first World Cup win.[4][5]

Early life and education edit

Sarina Isabel Bolden was born on June 30, 1996[6] in Santa Clara, California, U.S. to Sherry and Robert Bolden and has a younger brother.[7] Her mother is from Pangasinan.[8] Her father is African American.[9] Sarina's parents are both into sports, although soccer is not their main discipline.[10]

She attended Milpitas High School[7] and later the Loyola Marymount University where she obtained a business degree which she intends to use as a backup to her sporting career.[10]

Youth career edit

She played for Milpitas High School's women's soccer and softball teams. With the Milpitas High School Trojans, Bolden led her high school soccer team to the 2015 SCVAL El Camino Division title. She was named as part of the first team All-SCVAL selection for three years from 2013 to 2015.[7]

In the club level, Bolden played for MVLA Mercury Black '96 helping the club reach the 2014 ECNL National Playoffs and helped the De Anza Force '95 win the 2013 and 2015 ECNL North West Conference championships.[7]

Collegiate career edit

Bolden attended the Loyola Marymount University where she played for the school's women's soccer team.[3] In 2016 she scored six goals for her college team and she was named as part of the All-West Coast Conference First Team and the NSCAA All-West Region.[11]

Club career edit

Bolden in 2020 played for Xinbei Hangyuan in the Taiwan Mulan Football League.[12] She later played for the San Francisco Nighthawks of the Women's Premier Soccer League in the United States.[13]

In June 2021, Bolden was signed in by Elfen Saitama of the WE League of Japan.[14] She debuted in Saitama's 1–4 lost to Tokyo Verdy Beleza on October 10, 2021, after she was brought in as a substitute in the 62nd minute.[15] Bolden, whose native language is English, was limited on her ability to connect with her teammates.[16]

In December 2022, Bolden mutually terminated her contract with Elfen Saitama and transferred to Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers.[17]

Ahead of the 2023–24 A-League Women season, it was understood that Western Sydney Wanderers didn't re-sign Bolden.[18] Bolden says she received offers from various clubs, but she preferred to remain in the A-League and not make any "big, far moves abroad" at that point in her career. For the meantime, she largely relied on playing time with the Philippine national team to maintain her fitness.[16]

After five rounds of the 2023–24 season, Bolden was signed by Newcastle Jets and played the match the day she was signed, scoring a brace.[19][20] Head coach Gary van Egmond would invite Bolden to join the team.[10]

International career edit

Bolden's performance with the Loyola Marymount University women's soccer team led to her being invited to participate in a training camp in Orlando, Florida in April 2017 which was organized by the United States women's national under-23 soccer team.[11] In late 2017, she was able to participate in training camps organized by the Philippines women's national football team and caught the attention of Richard Boon, then head coach of the national team. She was later named in the final line up for the Philippine national team that participated at the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup.[21]

In the Philippines' first group stage match against host Jordan, Bolden had her first international cap.[21] She scored the winning goal for the Philippines in their 2–1 victory against the hosts.[22]

Bolden was named in the lineup for the Philippine national team that participated at the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup. The Philippines advanced to the knockout stage of the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the first time. During the quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei, which ended in a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw, Bolden scored the winning penalty which resulted in the Philippines qualifying for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup, the 2023 edition.[23] On 25 July 2023, she scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over World Cup co-host New Zealand, to be her country's first ever goal and victory in the competition.[24]

She would make her milestone 50th international cap after playing in a friendly against South Korea on April 5, 2024.[25]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

As of match played March 23, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[b] League cup[c] Continental[d] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Elfen Saitama[1] 2021–22 WE League 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2022–23 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
Total 14 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 15 0
Western Sydney Wanderers[26] 2022–23 A-League 10 1 10 1
Newcastle Jets[26] 2023–24 15 12 15 12
Total 25 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 6
Career total[e] 39 13 0 0 1 0 31 6

International goals edit

Scores and results list the Philippines' goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. April 6, 2018 Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan   Jordan 2–1 2–1 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup
2. November 29, 2019 Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan, Philippines   Malaysia 1–0 5–0 2019 Southeast Asian Games
3. 3–0
4. 4–0
5. January 27, 2022 Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune, India   Indonesia 2–0 6–0 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup
6. May 9, 2022 Cẩm Phả Stadium, Cẩm Phả, Vietnam   Cambodia 2–0 5–0 2021 Southeast Asian Games
7. May 21, 2022   Myanmar 1–1 2–1
8. June 23, 2022 Terme Čatež, Brežice, Slovenia   Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0 3–0 Friendly
9. 3–0
10. July 6, 2022 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines   Singapore 4–0 7–0 2022 AFF Women's Championship
11. July 10, 2022   Indonesia 2–1 4–1
12. 3–1
13. 4–1
14. July 15, 2022   Vietnam 3–0 4–0
15. 4–0
16. September 6, 2022 Titan Stadium, Fullerton, United States   New Zealand 1–0 1–2 Friendly
17. April 5, 2023 Hisor Central Stadium, Hisar, Tajikistan   Pakistan 2–0 4–0 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
18. April 11, 2023   Hong Kong 1–0 4–0
19. 2–0
20. May 6, 2023 RCAF Old Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Malaysia 1–0 1–0 2023 Southeast Asian Games
21. May 9, 2023 RSN Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Vietnam 1–0 2–1
22. July 25, 2023 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand   New Zealand 1–0 1–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
23. September 22, 2023 Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium, Wenzhou, China   Hong Kong 1–0 3–1 2022 Asian Games
24. September 25, 2023   South Korea 1–0 1–5
25. September 28, 2023   Myanmar 1–0 3–0
26. September 30, 2023   Japan 1–3 1–8
27. October 26, 2023 Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia   Chinese Taipei 1–1 4–1 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
28. 3–1

Honors edit

Philippines

Individual

Personal life edit

Bolden identifies as LGBT, describing herself as "gay"[29] and a "queer woman".[9] Her cousins Jalen Brown and Ryanne Brown are also professional footballers.[30]

Notes edit

  1. ^ According to her Instagram bio, Bolden uses she/her and they/them pronouns. This article uses she/her for consistency.[2]
  2. ^ Empress's Cup
  3. ^ WE League Cup
  4. ^ AFC Women's Club Championship
  5. ^ Statistics only include from 2021 with Elfen Saitama and onwards.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "サリナ ボールデン" [Sarina Bolden]. WE LEAGUE Data Site (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "sarina_bolden". Instagram. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Meet the Filipinas: See who's wearing the Philippines' colors at the Women's AFC Asian Cup in Jordan". ABS-CBN Sports. April 6, 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  4. ^ "Bolden scores first ever goal for Philippines in FIFA Women's World Cup". sportstar.thehindu.com. July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  5. ^ Fahy, Claire (July 25, 2023). "Women's World Cup: Philippines Stuns New Zealand for First World Cup Win". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "Philippines – AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 – Playing Squad". AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 Press Kit. Asian Football Confederation. p. 9.
  7. ^ a b c d "Sarina Bolden 3". LMU Lions. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Payo, Jasmine (July 25, 2023). "Golden Bolden: Who is PH football history maker Sarina Bolden?". Rappler. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Nazareno, Mia (September 30, 2023). "Squad Goals: Making History With The Filipinas Football Team". Vogue Philippines. Mega Global Licensing Inc. is. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Lordanic, Marissa (April 19, 2024). "The Bolden the beautiful: Sarina on the Jets, the Philippines, and the growth of the game". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Midfielder: Sarina Bolden". LMU Magazine. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  12. ^ Yumol, David Tristan (June 1, 2021). "PH Malditas players Bolden, Quezada to play in Japan's first women's pro football league". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  13. ^ Montayre, Mia (September 6, 2021). "Five PWNFT members continue pro careers overseas with new clubs". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  14. ^ Montayre, Mia (June 1, 2021). "Bolden, Quezada to play in Japan WE League". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  15. ^ del Carmen, Lorenzo (October 16, 2021). "Bolden makes WE.League debut in Saitama loss to Tokyo". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Cootes, Isobel (January 9, 2024). "'I almost gave up': From World Cup hero to club 'limbo' for ALW star Sarina Bolden". Optus Sport. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "サリナ ボールデン選手 Western Sydney Wanderers FCへ移籍のお知らせ" [Notice of transfer of Sarina Bolden to Western Sydney Wanderers FC]. Elfen Saitama (in Japanese). December 28, 2022.
  18. ^ Goman, Kris (October 11, 2023). "The Impetus A-League Women season preview 2023/24". Impetus Football. Sarina Bolden who represented the Philippines appears to have not been re-signed
  19. ^ "Newcastle Jets sign Philippines international Sarina Bolden". Newcastle Jets. November 26, 2023.
  20. ^ "Football: Sarina Bolden makes immediate impact for Newcastle Jets". ABS-CBN News. November 26, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Bolden the beautiful as Philippines delight in stunning upset". Asian Football Cofederation. April 7, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  22. ^ del Carmen, Lorenzo (April 7, 2018). "Sarina Bolden, Malditas stun Jordan for dream start to Asian Cup campaign". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  23. ^ Carandang, Justin Kenneth (January 31, 2022). "Philippine women's football team qualifies for FIFA Women's World Cup for first time ever". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  24. ^ "Sarina Bolden spoils New Zealand party and hands Philippines historic win". The Guardian. July 25, 2023.
  25. ^ Rosal, Glendale (April 6, 2024). "South Korea beats Filipinas, 3-0, in international friendly". Cebu Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. CDN Digital. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Sarina Bolden Career Stats - A-League Women". ESPN. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  27. ^ "June Mar Fajardo, Sarina Bolden earn top honors in PSA Awards". ABS-CBN News. January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  28. ^ "Alex Eala, Sarina Bolden, Hidilyn Diaz recognized in PSC's first Women in Sports Awards". GMA News. March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  29. ^ "LGBTQ+ community proud and visible at Women's World Cup". AP News. Associated Press. July 29, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  30. ^ "Ryanne Brown - Women's Soccer". Wake Forest University Athletics.

External links edit