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. Six takeaways: Spirit open NWSL 2026 as Legacy, Summit debut

    The NWSL has unveiled its 2026 regular-season schedule, opening March 13 with Washington Spirit hosting the Portland Thorns. Opening weekend also features expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC making their league debuts on March 14, with Boston hosting defending champions Gotham FC and Denver opening on the road against Bay FC. Here are GOAL’s six takeaways.

  2. Lindsey Heaps USMNT vs China HIC

    'Excited to come home' - USWNT's Heaps signs with Denver Summit

    U.S. Women’s National Team captain Lindsey Heaps is returning to her home state of Colorado, set to join NWSL expansion side Denver Summit FC in a blockbuster signing. The midfielder will link up with the club following the conclusion of her season with OL Lyonnes, expected in June 2026. Heaps has 170 international caps and has scored 38 goals.

  1. Sophia Wilson is returning to Portland Thorns for 2026 season

    Sophia Wilson will return to the Portland Thorns for the 2026 NWSL season after exercising the player option in her contract. The 25-year-old U.S. women’s national team forward missed the 2025 campaign while on maternity leave, but is set to resume her career with the club where it began after she was selected No. 1 in the 2020 NWSL College Draft, and became a central figure in Portland’s sustained success.

  2. Florida State vs Stanford, 2025

    No. 3 Florida State upset No. 1 Stanford for Women's College Cup

    Florida State ended Stanford’s 17-match unbeaten run on Monday, winning its fifth national championship with an 87th-minute winner at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. The No. 3 seed defeated the top-seeded Cardinal in the College Cup final for the second time in three years, adding a third national title in five seasons.

  3. Claire Hutton USWNT vs Canada

    'Start of an important year' - USWNT to face Chile in Santa Barbara

    The U.S. women’s national team will close out January with a friendly against 45th-ranked Chile in Santa Barbara, Calif., marking the program’s first international match in the city. The USWNT will face Chile at UC Santa Barbara, the same campus where the team first held a training camp in 1991 before winning the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.