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Celia Balf

Celia Balf

Senior Editor, Women’s Soccer

I'm a women’s soccer writer who has been covering the USWNT and iterations of the NWSL for more than a decade. As a former Division 1 soccer player, collegiate coach, and mentor for young athletes, I’ve found a way to weave my deep connection and understanding of the sport into storytelling, with a purpose. I am equally obsessed with the X’s and O’s of soccer as I am with the cultural revolution players like Trinity Rodman have made with their hair and viral celebrations. 

My football story: I have a vivid memory of my dad running back and forth in the living room with an Arsenal flag, my brother claiming the name ‘Henry’ because of Thierry Henry, and my household being an Arsenal-only home. Sure, I was born into it, but on the women’s side, I grew up obsessing over Alex Scott’s outside-back rapidness on the wing, and Kelly Smith’s filthy goals – both of which played in the U.S. for the Boston Breakers way back when. I would go to every single one of the Breakers home games and gawk over the former Arsenal Women's players.  

Areas of expertise:

  • American women’s soccer stories
  • USWNT and NWSL features 
  • Tactical insight 

Favorite footballing memory: I sat at a table with Megan Rapinoe, Kelley O’Hara, and Carli Lloyd days after they won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Journalists were invited to the homecoming celebration in downtown Los Angeles following the tournament. I somehow, at the ripe age of 18 or so, ended up at a table alongside one of the greatest soccer journalists of all time, Grant Wahl. As the roundtable of questions and answers began, Wahl looked at me, sweating, anxious, and avoiding eye contact at all costs to my idols, and said “Would you like to ask the first question?” I proceeded to take a deep breath and asked probably the stupidest question, ever, yet, that moment will forever be one of my favorites. RIP to Grant Wahl, and thank you for creating spaces for young up-and-coming journalists to speak.

My All-Time XI: Hope Solo, Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’Hara, Michelle Akers, Julie Ertz, Aitana Bonmati, Marta, Mia Hamm, Kelly Smith

Favorite stories I've written: 

• Rapinoe's No. 15 Reign FC jersey is retired, her impact will forever be a part of Seattle
• Inside Emma Hayes' brilliant soccer mind, strategy and focus on common goals
• USWNT and NWSL stars to express surprise and admiration for Crystal Dunn following retirement

Articles by Celia Balf
  1. United States v Japan - International FriendlyGetty Images Sport
    Women's footballS. Wilson

    Hayes is 'proud' of Wilson's performance vs. Japan

    Sophia Wilson, after giving birth to her daughter Gigi in September, returns to the USWNT and the starting lineup for the first time since 2024. Wilson, who earned her 59th cap and 41st start on the night, hadn’t shared the pitch with fellow “Triple Espresso” member Trinity Rodman in 17 months. After a brief feeling-out period, though, the pair looked like they hadn’t missed a beat up top.

  5. Emma HayesGOAL
    Women's footballUSA

    Wilson is back as Hayes calls in USWNT squad for April friendlies

    Two shots of espresso are back on the menu for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Emma Hayes named a 26-player roster for April friendlies against Japan, headlined by the returns of Olympic gold medalists Sophia Wilson and Tierna Davidson, while veteran goalkeeper Jane Campbell also re-enters the fold. It's Wilson's first involvement with the national team since 2024.

  7. fifa logo
    Women's footballE. Hayes

    FIFA mandates female coach or assistant in women’s competitions

    The FIFA Council approved a new legislation that mandates that a woman head coach or a woman assistant coach must be on every team across all of FIFA's youth and senior women's football tournaments, national team competitions, and club competitions. This initiative and mandate are to increase the number of women coaches and fit into FIFA's long-term strategy to do so.

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