Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus #1 Stanford on December 5, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 1
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Final
Women's Soccer
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vs #1 Stanford
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Photo by: Getty Images/U.S. Soccer
From Duke to the U.S. National Team: Michelle Cooper’s Rise to the Top
8/1/2025 9:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.-- When Michelle Cooper scored her first goal for the United States Women's National Team, fans were expecting screams of joy. But from Cooper, there were no screams; there was nothing.
"I wish I were mic'd up," Cooper said, laughing. "Nothing came out. It was complete silence, and I was choking back tears."
The moment came on February 23, 2025, in the SheBelieves Cup against Australia. Entering the match in the 62nd minute, Cooper made an instant impact. Just six minutes later, she found the back of the net to put the U.S. ahead 2-0. The goal, set up by Ally Sentnor off a pass from Gisele Thompson, ended up being the game-winner in a 2-1 victory.
Cooper, a former Blue Devil now forward for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), had waited for this moment her entire life. Her mom nearly missed it, but a last-minute change of plans allowed her to be there to watch Cooper achieve a lifelong dream.
"We were in tears, just staring at each other, completely speechless," said Cooper.
Cooper has had an influential past few years, going from breaking records during her time as a student-athlete at Duke to scoring goals on an international level and putting on the U.S. jersey alongside the players she once idolized and dreamed of becoming. Now, with Kansas City currently leading the league and Cooper finding her place, she's not just chasing her dream, but living it.
Before she started playing professionally, Cooper had already created a name for herself. Prior to Duke, Cooper was the 18th-best recruit in her class, leading her team at IMG Academy as a captain and leading goal scorer her junior and senior year. Bringing her excellence to Duke, in her freshman season, Cooper scored 12 goals – the most by a freshman in program history – and was named ACC Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-America and TopDrawerSoccer National Freshman of the Year.
Her sophomore season brought even more standout performances, posting 49 points, 19 goals, and 11 assists. She was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 in all three categories and earned the prestigious Hermann Trophy as the top player in college soccer.
"Her talent, work ethic, and humility represent the very best of women's college soccer," then Duke head coach Robbie Church said. "She is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to wear a Duke jersey, but more notably, she is one of the most exceptional young women to be a part of this program."
Still, for Cooper, this was only the beginning.
In 2023, Cooper declared for the NWSL Draft, forfeiting her remaining college eligibility, and was selected second overall by the Kansas City Current. Her rookie season had some challenges with adapting to the speed and pressure of the pros, but this year, with a good standing, the team is looking to develop and improve to make it to the playoffs.
"We're getting every point we can this year," Cooper said. "Last year we were really good, but we couldn't always finish. This year, we're doing the complete opposite."
Under Current's head coach Vlatko Andonovski, Cooper has taken big strides. She credits him with helping her fine-tune the little things and shift her mindset.
Cooper's hard work and progress all paid off this year when she got the call that every soccer player dreams about. Fresh off landing from a preseason trip in Florida, Cooper found herself waiting in baggage claim when her general manager, Caitlin Carducci, who told her the news.
"We were waiting in the airport for our bags and she flipped her phone around and said 'Congratulations,' and I just started crying," Cooper recalls. Carducci had just received the official U.S. Women's National Team roster.
"I didn't even know what she was talking about at first. I hadn't gotten an email," Cooper said. "I knew I'd been on a preliminary roster, which I was happy about, but I wasn't getting my hopes up."
When Carducci turned her phone to show Cooper her name on the final list, the emotion hit instantly. After calling her family to share the news, Cooper said the reality started to sink in.
"I didn't know what the camp was going to entail," said Cooper. "I didn't play a bunch and I'm okay with that. I think it helped ease me into that high and competitive environment."
This experience left a mark on Cooper. She got the opportunity to train alongside players who've won World Cups and Olympic gold and quickly learned what it takes to compete at that level.
"You see how seriously they take every rep, even in warmups," said Cooper. "It changes how you train. I brought that back to KC with me."
Working under new U.S. Women's National Team head coach Emma Hayes, Cooper said, has also been transformative.
"She's one heck of a coach," Cooper said. "She knows how to rally a team, make you feel comfortable through the highs and lows. And with such a young roster now, that makes a big difference."
Off the field, Cooper has grown just as much. "I'm doing taxes. I just bought a house," she said with a smile. "I've changed so much since Duke, but I still tell everyone: Duke is the happiest place on earth."
She remains close with her former Duke teammates, watches every match she can and is excited to see what they do under new leadership this fall.
Despite all Cooper has accomplished, she knows that there is still so much more to come.
Cooper's next goals are to continue growing, refining and showing up.
"I want to grow in the little details," said Cooper. "I think that's what's going to keep me getting called into camps."
From setting records at Duke to scoring her first goal with the U.S. Women's National Team, Michelle Cooper continues to evolve both as a player and a person. Even as her career takes her to new heights, she hasn't forgotten where it all started.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
"I wish I were mic'd up," Cooper said, laughing. "Nothing came out. It was complete silence, and I was choking back tears."
The moment came on February 23, 2025, in the SheBelieves Cup against Australia. Entering the match in the 62nd minute, Cooper made an instant impact. Just six minutes later, she found the back of the net to put the U.S. ahead 2-0. The goal, set up by Ally Sentnor off a pass from Gisele Thompson, ended up being the game-winner in a 2-1 victory.
Second cap, first goal! Congrats, Coop!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/2HmVOzQEmx
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2025
Cooper, a former Blue Devil now forward for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), had waited for this moment her entire life. Her mom nearly missed it, but a last-minute change of plans allowed her to be there to watch Cooper achieve a lifelong dream.
"We were in tears, just staring at each other, completely speechless," said Cooper.
Cooper has had an influential past few years, going from breaking records during her time as a student-athlete at Duke to scoring goals on an international level and putting on the U.S. jersey alongside the players she once idolized and dreamed of becoming. Now, with Kansas City currently leading the league and Cooper finding her place, she's not just chasing her dream, but living it.
Before she started playing professionally, Cooper had already created a name for herself. Prior to Duke, Cooper was the 18th-best recruit in her class, leading her team at IMG Academy as a captain and leading goal scorer her junior and senior year. Bringing her excellence to Duke, in her freshman season, Cooper scored 12 goals – the most by a freshman in program history – and was named ACC Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-America and TopDrawerSoccer National Freshman of the Year.
Her sophomore season brought even more standout performances, posting 49 points, 19 goals, and 11 assists. She was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 in all three categories and earned the prestigious Hermann Trophy as the top player in college soccer.
"Her talent, work ethic, and humility represent the very best of women's college soccer," then Duke head coach Robbie Church said. "She is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to wear a Duke jersey, but more notably, she is one of the most exceptional young women to be a part of this program."
Still, for Cooper, this was only the beginning.
In 2023, Cooper declared for the NWSL Draft, forfeiting her remaining college eligibility, and was selected second overall by the Kansas City Current. Her rookie season had some challenges with adapting to the speed and pressure of the pros, but this year, with a good standing, the team is looking to develop and improve to make it to the playoffs.
"We're getting every point we can this year," Cooper said. "Last year we were really good, but we couldn't always finish. This year, we're doing the complete opposite."
Under Current's head coach Vlatko Andonovski, Cooper has taken big strides. She credits him with helping her fine-tune the little things and shift her mindset.
Cooper's hard work and progress all paid off this year when she got the call that every soccer player dreams about. Fresh off landing from a preseason trip in Florida, Cooper found herself waiting in baggage claim when her general manager, Caitlin Carducci, who told her the news.
"We were waiting in the airport for our bags and she flipped her phone around and said 'Congratulations,' and I just started crying," Cooper recalls. Carducci had just received the official U.S. Women's National Team roster.
"I didn't even know what she was talking about at first. I hadn't gotten an email," Cooper said. "I knew I'd been on a preliminary roster, which I was happy about, but I wasn't getting my hopes up."
When Carducci turned her phone to show Cooper her name on the final list, the emotion hit instantly. After calling her family to share the news, Cooper said the reality started to sink in.
"I didn't know what the camp was going to entail," said Cooper. "I didn't play a bunch and I'm okay with that. I think it helped ease me into that high and competitive environment."
This experience left a mark on Cooper. She got the opportunity to train alongside players who've won World Cups and Olympic gold and quickly learned what it takes to compete at that level.
"You see how seriously they take every rep, even in warmups," said Cooper. "It changes how you train. I brought that back to KC with me."
Working under new U.S. Women's National Team head coach Emma Hayes, Cooper said, has also been transformative.
"She's one heck of a coach," Cooper said. "She knows how to rally a team, make you feel comfortable through the highs and lows. And with such a young roster now, that makes a big difference."
Off the field, Cooper has grown just as much. "I'm doing taxes. I just bought a house," she said with a smile. "I've changed so much since Duke, but I still tell everyone: Duke is the happiest place on earth."
She remains close with her former Duke teammates, watches every match she can and is excited to see what they do under new leadership this fall.
Despite all Cooper has accomplished, she knows that there is still so much more to come.
Cooper's next goals are to continue growing, refining and showing up.
"I want to grow in the little details," said Cooper. "I think that's what's going to keep me getting called into camps."
From setting records at Duke to scoring her first goal with the U.S. Women's National Team, Michelle Cooper continues to evolve both as a player and a person. Even as her career takes her to new heights, she hasn't forgotten where it all started.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
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