Soccer player, Tina Ellertson, née Christina Jo Frimpong was born on May 20, 1982 in Vancouver, Washington. She is an American former professional soccer defender and former member of the United States women’s national soccer team. She is a mixed breed as her mother is Nigerian and her father Ghanaian. Her parents immigrated to the U.S.where she played soccer throughout her childhood.
If You Love Stories and Facts, Join this Whatsapp Channel
Tina originally signed to attend Santa Clara University, but instead went to the University of Washington. Ther, she competed in soccer throughout college to become one of UW’s most respected forwards. She was named Pacific-10 Conference co-player of the year in 2003 and player of the year in 2004. On September 16, 2008, Tina was one of the three players drafted for Saint Louis Athletica in the WPS allocation of national team members, with the new league starting play in April 2009. Ellertson was a consistently solid presence in the Athletica back line, logging 1748 minutes for the season, the most on the team. She played as team captain whenever Lori Chalupny was not on the field, made the All-Star team, and was nominated for WPS’s Defender of the Year award.
In May 2010, Tina moved to Atlanta Beat after St Louis closed down alongside teammates Hope Solo and Eniola Aluko. After 16 games and two goals for the Beat, she left by mutual consent in February 2011. She moved to new franchise magicJack and quickly became a cornerstone of the team’s defense, producing notable performances against Marta and Kelly Smith.
Tina has also played previously for the Seattle Sounders of the W-League.
In February 2013, she was chosen in the first round of the National Women’s Soccer League’s supplemental draft by Portland Thorns FC, despite having stated that she would not be playing in the league. Afterwards, she ultimately joined the Thorns and on July 31, after being repeatedly approached by Coach Cindy Parlow Cone. Tina made five appearances for the Thorns, including an appearance as a substitute during the team’s victory in the inaugural NWSL Championship match.
READ: Christian Atsu Biography
After April Heinrichs’s reign as coach, Tina tried out for the women’s national soccer team, and earned her first cap against Ukraine on July 10, 2005. The new coach, Greg Ryan then moved her to defender. She was named to the U.S. roster for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and competed against Nigeria during the group stage, against Brazil in the infamous semi-final in which Hope Solo was benched in favor of more experienced Briana Scurry.
On December 13, 2008 Tina scored her only international goal at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles against China in her final USWNT game, and in her only start at forward; a 1–0 game winner
Tina is married to Brad Ellertson, with whom she had two daughters, Mackenzie and Mya. Prior to her marriage, she played under her maiden name, Frimpong. She has a twin sister, Crystal Frimpong who played soccer at the University of Florida.
