Wikipedia

Gabby Kessler

Gabrielle Lorraine Kessler (née Seiler; born September 14, 1994) is an American former professional soccer player who last played for Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She also played for Portland Thorns FC.

Gabby Kessler
Personal information
Full name Gabrielle Lorraine Kessler
Birth name Gabrielle Lorraine Seiler[1]
Date of birth (1994-09-14) September 14, 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Fort Hood, Texas, United States
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
2010–2013 McIntosh High School
Concorde Fire Elite
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Georgia Bulldogs 40 (10)
2015–2017 Florida Gators 46 (7)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Portland Thorns FC 15 (0)
2021 Houston Dash 9 (1)
International career
2011–2012 United States U-18
2015 United States U-19
2013 United States U-20
2015–2017 United States U-23
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 3, 2019

Early years

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Kessler was born in Texas, but was raised in Peachtree City, Georgia, alongside her older brother Zack. Kessler was an impressive multi sport athlete. During high school she was an excellent two-sport athlete in both basketball and soccer. As a basketball player Kessler was a four-year varsity player who broke the all-time scoring record of McIntosh High School with 2003 points.[2] She was also an excellent soccer player and four year varsity player who made the 2012 NSCAA Girls High School All-America Team and NSCAA Georgia Girls State Player of the Year.[3] She finished her high school career ranked 11th nationally by TopDrawer Soccer.[4][5] Kessler ultimately chose to play soccer in college.

College career

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University of Georgia, 2013–2014

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Kessler started her college career at the University of Georgia. During her two years with the Georgia Bulldogs she made 40 appearances and finished with 10 goals and 11 assists. She was named Georgia's Rookie of the Year in 2013. She also made the All-SEC First-Year Honor Roll her freshman year.[6] During her sophomore year at Georgia Kessler was named Georgia's Most Valuable player, she was also named to the NSCAA All-South Region second team, the All-SEC First Team, the SEC Academic Honor Roll and was nominated for the MAC Hermann Trophy.[7][6]

University of Florida, 2015–2017

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After two years at Georgia Kessler opted to transfer to the University of Florida, to join former teammate Savannah Jordan. Due to NCAA transfer rules she was forced to sit out, redshirt, her 2015 season.[8] Kessler made her Gators debut in 2016, starting all 23 matches while scoring one goal and providing 2 assists.[9] Her first year as a Gator saw her pick up NSCAA All-South Region first team, All-SEC first team, SEC All-Tournament, SEC Academic Honor Roll and MAC Hermann Trophy watch list selections. She followed this with a senior year that saw her captain the Gators in 23 games and leading the team with eight assists and six goals. She was once again on the MAC Herman Trophy watch list and was named to the USC All-American third team, USC All-Southeast Region first team, All-SEC first team.[10][11]

Kessler was also selected to play for the Gators women's basketball team for the 2018 season but was unfortunately unable to do so after picking up an injury. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Telecommunications-Management and a master's degree in Management[12][13]

Professional career

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Portland Thorns, 2019–2021

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Kessler was selected in the first round, 9th overall, of the 2018 NWSL College Draft by the Portland Thorns.[14][15][16] Kessler however missed the totality of the 2018 season due to rehabilitation to her knee.[17][18] However, Mark Parson's confidence in her resulted in her making the 2019 Portland Thorns squad.[19] She signed in April 2019 and made her debut for the club on April 20 against the Chicago Red Stars.[20][21]

Houston Dash, 2021

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Kessler scored her first professional goal against the North Carolina Courage on a free kick.[citation needed] She retired from professional soccer in January 2022.[22]

International career

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Kessler has been called into several United States Women's National Team camps at the U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-23 levels.[23][24][25][26]

Personal life

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She married McClain Kessler on December 18, 2021, and began using her married name Gabby Kessler.[27]

Career statistics

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As of June 3, 2019

League Club Season League Playoffs Total
Apps Assists Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
NCAA Georgia Bulldogs 2013 19 2 1 1 0 20 1
2014 19 9 9 1 0 20 9
Florida Gators 2016 19 2 1 4 0 23 1
2017 19 8 6 4 0 23 6
total 76 21 17 10 0 86 17
NWSL Portland Thorns
2019 6 0 0 - 6 0
total 6 0 0 - 6 0
Career total 82 21 17 10 0 92 17

References

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  1. ^ "The Graduate School: Master of Science" (PDF). University of Florida Commencement Summer 2018. University of Florida. August 11, 2018. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Gabby Seiler breaks school record in basketball". Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  3. ^ "2012 NSCAA Girls High School All-America Team". December 10, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  4. ^ "Georgia Bulldogs Soccer 2013". August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  5. ^ "SOCCER SIGNING CLASS RANKED NO. 11 NATIONALLY". Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Gabby Seiler". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  7. ^ "Soccer awards: Sophomore forward Gabby Seiler wins MVP". November 5, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  8. ^ "Former Georgia soccer player now a key component for UF". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  9. ^ "Gabby Seiler stats". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  10. ^ "Gabby Seiler Soccer". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  11. ^ "Do-it-all midfielder Gabby Seiler leading Gators into Elite Eight". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  12. ^ "Gabby Seiler Basketball". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  13. ^ "Gator Women's Basketball Picks Up Soccer All-American Seiler as Walk-On". January 5, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  14. ^ "List: Every draft pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft". Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  15. ^ "Portland Thorns select Sandra Yu, Gabby Seiler and Bella Geist in 2018 NWSL College Draft". January 18, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  16. ^ "Thorns FC re-sign seven players ahead of 2018 NWSL season". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  17. ^ "Worth the wait: Gabby Seiler already making her mark on Thorns FC". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  18. ^ "On Deck: Gabby Seiler". May 31, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  19. ^ "Thorns FC season roster". April 12, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  20. ^ "Thorns FC Gabby Seiler". Thorns FC. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  21. ^ "Gabby Seiler". NWSL. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  22. ^ "Houston Dash midfielder Gabby Kessler announces retirement from professional soccer | Houston Dynamo". houstondynamofc.
  23. ^ "Jami Kranich Called to U.S. U-18 National Team Training Camp". December 2, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  24. ^ "Sam Witteman Named to U.S. U-23 WNT Roster". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  25. ^ "U.S. U-23 WNT set for back-to-back training camps in Oregon, Florida". Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  26. ^ "Warner Selected to U23 Women's National Team". March 23, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  27. ^ https://www.theknot.com/us/gabrielle-seiler-and-mcclain-kessler-dec-2021-59fa4578-b065-4d9c-b03f-d1d110fc0d6c [bare URL]
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