Jump to content

Abby Erceg

From Alfawiki
Abby Erceg
Born
Abby May Erceg

(1989-11-20) November 20, 1989 (age 36)
Whangārei, New Zealand
OccupationProfessional footballer
Years active2006–2025
Known forFirst New Zealand player to achieve 100 international appearances in football; captain of the Football Ferns; NWSL Defender of the Year 2018

Abby May Erceg (born 20 November 1989) is a professional footballer from New Zealand who operates as a centre-back for the Liga MX Femenil team Toluca. She previously played for the New Zealand national team, becoming the first player from New Zealand, across both men's and women's teams, to achieve 100 international appearances.

Erceg competed in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for 11 seasons between 2014 and 2024, representing the Chicago Red Stars, Western New York Flash, North Carolina Courage, and Racing Louisville. Her accolades include securing one NWSL Championship title with the Flash, in addition to two NWSL Championships and three NWSL Shield trophies with the Courage.

Club career

In 2013, Erceg joined German club FF USV Jena and was loaned to the Chicago Red Stars during the 2014 Bundesliga summer break. After completing the first half of the 2014–15 season back at Jena, her contract was ended during the winter transfer window.

Erceg officially signed with Chicago Red Stars in May 2014. She was traded to the Western New York Flash in November 2015, where she captained the squad to victory in the 2016 NWSL League Championship.

When Western New York Flash was acquired by North Carolina FC ownership in 2017, Erceg assumed captaincy of the newly established North Carolina Courage. Under her guidance, the Courage claimed the 2017 NWSL Shield and advanced to the NWSL Final. That year, she was named to the NWSL Second XI.

Throughout 2018, Erceg earned NWSL Team of the Month honors from May through August and played a key role in North Carolina securing their second straight NWSL Shield, setting records for fewest goals allowed and registering only one defeat. The Courage triumphed in the 2018 NWSL Championship with a decisive 3–0 final win. Erceg received recognition on the NWSL Best XI and was honored as the 2018 NWSL Defender of the Year.

She continued her strong form in 2019, again being selected for the NWSL Second XI and nominated for Defender of the Year as North Carolina repeated as winners of both the Shield and Championship.

In January 2023, Erceg was involved in a trade to Racing Louisville FC, alongside Carson Pickett, in exchange for Emily Fox. She featured in every minute of Racing Louisville’s matches during both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.

In February 2025, Erceg transferred to Mexican outfit Toluca.

International career

Erceg made her debut for the Football Ferns on 14 November 2006 in a 0–3 defeat against China. She participated in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, where New Zealand lost all group stage games to Brazil, Denmark, and China.

She was included in New Zealand's squad at the 2008 Summer Olympics, achieving a draw against Japan but suffering defeats versus Norway and the USA. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Erceg contributed to New Zealand reaching their first knockout round at a FIFA tournament before being eliminated by the United States in the quarterfinals.

Erceg also represented New Zealand at U-20 level during the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup hosted by Chile. By March 2011, she had earned her 50th cap, ranking third among New Zealand’s most capped female players. She competed in the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany where New Zealand finished twelfth.

Appointed captain of the Football Ferns in 2014, Erceg became New Zealand’s first player to reach 100 international caps during the 2014 OFC Women's Nations Cup. She appeared in all three matches at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada and was selected for her sixth major international tournament at the 2016 Olympics.

In February 2017, citing dissatisfaction with support from New Zealand Football, Erceg announced her retirement from international play. She briefly returned for friendlies against Scotland in February 2018 but retired again prior to a match against Japan in May of that year.

Erceg reversed her retirement decision once more in January 2019 ahead of participation at both the 2019 Cup of Nations and the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, making New Zealand’s final squad announced that April. In June 2021, she was named to represent New Zealand at the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics. She concluded her international career with another retirement announcement in January 2023.

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 9 April 2007 Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, Lae, Papua New Guinea Template:Fbw 3–0 6–1 2007 OFC Women's Championship
2 29 September 2010 North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Template:Fbw 7–0 14–0 2010 OFC Women's Championship
3 1 October 2010 Template:Fbw 8–0 10–0
4 29 October 2014 Kalabond Oval, Kokopo, Papua New Guinea Template:Fbw 2–0 11–0 2014 OFC Women's Nations Cup
5 23 January 2016 PNGFA Academy, Lae, Papua New Guinea Template:Fbw 6–0 7–1 2016 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Personal life

Erceg possesses heritage from both Croatian and Māori backgrounds, with her tribal affiliation linked to the Ngāpuhi iwi.

Honours

Western New York Flash
North Carolina Courage
Individual

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Abby_Erceg&oldid=64828"