Alex Pfeiffer becomes the youngest goal-scorer in NWSL history at age 16

Kansas City Current rookie Alex Pfeiffer became the youngest regular season goal-scorer in National Women’s Soccer League history on Sunday in the team’s 2024 regular season opener against Portland Thorns FC. Pfeiffer found the net for Kansas City in the 68th minute of her team’s 5-4 victory, as she made her professional debut at just 16 years and 4 months old.

Pfeiffer was set up on the play by forward Temwa Chawinga, who had received a well-placed cross from Kristen Hamilton. Chawinga chested the cross down to meet Pfeiffer in stride at the top of the box, where she was aptly able to drive it home, pushing KC’s lead to 5-1 at the time. The goal ended up being a crucial one, as Portland was able to score three times in the closing minutes of the match.

The stuff dreams are made of.

16-year-old @AlexPfeiff17 became the youngest goal-scorer in @NWSL regular season history.

Her first goal with KC Current, a game-winner in her pro debut.

At the first stadium purpose-built for a women’s sports team.

Iconic. pic.twitter.com/cw3JcaNmuL

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) March 17, 2024

“Yesterday was a dream come true, blessed to make my pro debut and score my first pro goal … but there is more work to be done,” Pfeiffer said in an Instagram post.

The NWSL celebrated Pfeiffer’s accomplishment on a big day for the club, as the Current opened their brand new soccer specific stadium, CPKC Stadium. The debut of the new arena was marked with a raucous sell-out crowd.

Pfeiffer signed with the KC Current back in October 2023, when she inked a three-year contract with the club, through the 2026 season. She became the fourth-youngest player ever signed to play in the NWSL, solidifying her deal at 15 years and 338 days old.

A SoccerWire Featured Player since January 2022, Pfeiffer was recently named the ECNL Girls U17 Player of the Year. She helped lead the SLSG Navy 2006 team to the ECNL National Championship title for a second straight season in 2023, and is a rising star in the U.S. Women’s Youth National Team program.