Emina Ekić (born 6 June 1999) is a Bosnian-American professional women's footballer who last played as a forward for Melbourne City of the A-League Women, and for the Bosnia and Herzegovina women's national football team. She has previously played college soccer for the Louisville Cardinals and professionally for Racing Louisville FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
.jpg) Ekic with Racing Louisville FC in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emina Ekić[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 6 June 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | ||
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2020 | Louisville Cardinals | 66 | (29) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2023 | Racing Louisville | 35 | (3) |
| 2022–2023 | → Melbourne City (loan) | 6 | (4) |
| 2023–2024 | Melbourne City | 21 | (8) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | United States U23 | ||
| 2023– | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 Oct 2023 | |||
Early life
Ekić was born in Louisville, Kentucky to parents who were both born in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[2] Ekić attended DuPont Manual High School, where she was named the 2015–16 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year.[3] Ekić also played for Javanon SC.[4]
Louisville Cardinals
As a freshman in 2017, Ekić played in all 18 games for Louisville, starting 17 of them, and scored a team-high seven goals. She was named ACC Co-Freshman of the Year, as well as being selected to the All-ACC second team and ACC All-Freshman team.[4]
In 2018, Ekić started all 18 games for the Cardinals, and earned first team All-ACC team honors.[5]
In her junior season, Ekić started all 20 games. She scored 8 goals, including a game-winner vs. Vanderbilt on September 15.
In the 2020 fall season, Ekić started all nine games of the shortened ACC season. Ekić scored seven goals and was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year.[6]
Club career
Ekić declared for the 2021 NWSL Draft on 17 December 2020.[7] She was drafted fifth overall by hometown expansion team Racing Louisville FC.[8][9] Ekić signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.[10]
She made her debut for Racing Louisville in their first match of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.[11] She scored Racing's first NWSL regular-season goal with a left-footed shot into the upper corner of the goal in a 2–0 win over the Washington Spirit, the club's first victory. Ekić finished her rookie season with 15 appearances, including three starts.[12]
In November 2022, Racing exercised its option on Ekić's contract[10] and loaned her to Australian club Melbourne City until mid-February.[13] During the loan, Ekić suffered a broken ankle and missed the first weeks of the 2023 season.[14]
In November 2023, Racing waived Ekic's contract two months early allowing her to return to Melbourne City.[15] She signed a two-year contract with the Australian club.[16] In June 2024, she left the club, exercising a clause in her contract to allow her to explore opportunities outside Australia.[17]
International career
Ekić played with the United States women's national under-23 soccer team at the Thorns Spring Invitational tournament in 2019.[18]
In July 2023, the Bosnia and Herzegovina women's national football team called Ekić up to its senior team for friendly matches against Greece and Hungary.[14][2]
References
External links
- Emina Ekic at Melbourne City FC
- Emina Ekic at Racing Louisville FC
- Emina Ekic at Louisville Cardinals
- Emina Ekic at FBref.com
