Brianna Edwards

Brianna Edwards
Personal information
Full name Brianna Jayne Edwards
Date of birth (2003-01-27) 27 January 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Sydney FC
Number 1
Youth career
Pagewood SC
University of New South Wales Football Club
–2019 North West Sydney Koalas
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks 2 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020 Football NSW Institute
2021 Northern Tigers
2021–2024 Wellington Phoenix 23 (0)
2022 Bankstown City 16 (0)
2023 Bankstown City 11 (0)
2024– Sydney FC 4 (0)
International career‡
2018–2019 Australia U17
2022 New Zealand U20 3 (0)
2024– New Zealand 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 February 2024

Brianna Jayne Edwards (born 27 January 2003) is a professional footballer who plays for Sydney FC. Born in Australia, she represents New Zealand internationally.

Personal life

Edwards was born to parents Adam and Catherine Edwards.[1] She is eligible to represent New Zealand through her New Zealand-born father.[2] She has a twin sister Siobhan, who also played football with her at the University of Louisiana Monroe.[1]

College career

Edwards attended the University of Louisiana Monroe in 2021 majoring in psychology. She made 2 appearances off the bench as a freshman.[1] After the 2021 season, Edwards returned to Australia, and considered quitting.[3]

Club career

Youth career

Edwards starting playing football at the age of eight for local club Pagewood SC. At the age of 12 she trialed and played for the University of New South Wales Football Club.[4] She also played for numerous New South Wales representative sides in her youth.[1][4]

Wellington Phoenix

Edwards signed for the Wellington Phoenix on 3 November 2021 for the clubs inaugural season in the 2021–22 A-League Women.[5][6]

Edwards extended her contract on 27 July 2022 for another season.[7][8] She recorded the second most saves this season keeping two clean sheets.[9]

On 9 August 2023, Edwards signed on for the 2023–24 season.[9][10][9] During the Phoenix's 2–0 win over Canberra United at home, Edwards came off the bench and saved a penalty after starting keeper Rylee Foster was sent off.[11]

In July 2024, Edwards left the club together with Foster.[12]

Bankstown City

During the A-League Women off-season, Edwards played for Bankstown City in 2022 and 2023.[13]

Sydney FC

In July 2024, Edwards signed with Sydney FC for two seasons.[14]

International career

Edwards played for the Australia women's national under-17 football team in 2018–2019. In 2020 she was part of the Australia women's national under-20 football team training camp. Edwards received her first appearance for the New Zealand women's national under-20 football team in April 2022 against her home nation, Australia.[15] In August 2022, Edwards attended the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with New Zealand but didn't make an appearance.[3]

In January 2023, Edwards received her first call up for international friendlies against the United States.[10][16] She was also called up in the following international window but still did not make an appearance.[17] Edwards made her debut for the New Zealand women's national football team on 7 February 2024 against Tonga in the 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 win.[18]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 4 February 2024.[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Others Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Wellington Phoenix 2021–22 A-League Women 2 0 — — 2 0
2022–23 A-League Women 17 0 — — 17 0
2023–24 A-League Women 4 0 — — 4 0
Career total 23 0 — — 23 0

International

As of match played on 7 February 2024.
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
New Zealand 2024 1 0
Total 1 0

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Brianna Edwards". Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Australia or New Zealand? Brianna Edwards is keeping her options open". Stuff. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b "How Wellington Phoenix helped Brianna Edwards recapture her love for football". Stuff. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b "'It's got me to where I am now': Brianna Edwards grateful for her football journey". The Inner Sanctum. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Welcome to the family Brianna, Jordan and Hannah!". Wellington Phoenix. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Phoenix women set to make history as club makes debut in A-League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Women secure second goalkeeper". Wellington Phoenix. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Wellington Phoenix sign second 'keeper for women's A-League squad". friendsoffootballnz.com. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Ferns goalkeeper Brianna Edwards signs new deal with Wellington Phoenix". friendsoffootballnz.com. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Young 'keeper re-signs after breakout season". Wellington Phoenix. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Football: Wellington Phoenix back-up keeper Brianna Edwards steps up to rescue triumph from disaster against Canberra". Newshub. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Goalkeepers depart the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 10 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b "B. Edwards". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Sydney FC Sign 'Save Of The Year' Goalkeeper". Sydney FC. 18 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Line-Ups". ultimatenzsoccer.com. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Ferns bring extra forward and goalkeeper into squad for United States series". friendsoffootballnz.com. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Nix pair added to New Zealand squad". Impetus Football. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Early goals enough to see the Ferns through Olympic qualifier against Tonga". friendsoffootballnz.com. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.