Havana Solaun

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Havana Solaun
Solaun with the Houston Dash in 2024
Personal information
Full name Havana Marguerite Solaun[1]
Date of birth (1993-02-23) 23 February 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Gainesville, Florida, United States[2]
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Houston Dash
Number 6
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Florida Gators 90 (30)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Seattle Reign FC 4 (1)
2017–2018 Washington Spirit 37 (5)
2019 Klepp IL 20 (10)
2020 Paris FC 0 (0)
2020 Apollon Ladies 0 (0)
2020–2022 North Carolina Courage 22 (1)
2023– Houston Dash 14 (1)
International career‡
2009–2010 United States U17 5 (3)
2014–2016 United States U23 5 (0)
2019– Jamaica 14 (2)
Medal record
Representing  Jamaica
CONCACAF W Championship
Third place 2022 Mexico
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:29, September 16, 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 June 2019

Havana Marguerite Solaun (born 23 February 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Houston Dash of the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Born in the United States, she represents Jamaica at international level.

Solaun began her professional career with the NWSL's Seattle Reign FC in 2015. After two years, she was traded to the Washington Spirit. Solaun is a former United States youth international, most recently at the U23 level.

Early life

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Solaun's family moved back to the United States when she was two. She attended Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida.[3] From 2008 to 2010, she was named to the All-Area Girls Soccer first-team by The Gainesville Sun.[4]

University of Florida Gators, 2011–2014

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Solaun attended the University of Florida from 2011 to 2014 where she played soccer for the Florida Gators and was a four-year starting midfielder.[3] Solaun earned All-Southeastern Conference first team honors in 2014 and 2013 and also appeared on the NSCAA All-South Region teams those same seasons.[5][6] As a senior in 2014, Solaun registered collegiate best totals for goals(9), assists (9) and points (27) to finish second among the Gators in each category.[7]

Club career

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Seattle Reign FC, 2015–2016

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Solaun was selected 15th overall by Seattle Reign FC during the 2015 NWSL College Draft.[8][9] After signing with the team a few months later, Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey said, "Havana is a young, talented player who is very good on the ball. The most important thing for us is she is also very comfortable in possession, whether under pressure or not, she can keep control of the ball and move it in the way that we want her to."[10] Solaun made her debut for the Reign during 2–0 win over the University of Washington during preseason play but sat out the season after suffering an injury.[11][12] During the team's first 2016 pre-season match against the Portland Thorns, Solaun scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute helping the Reign win 2–0.[13] She made her debut for the club during its season opener against Sky Blue FC on April 17.[14] She scored her first goal during a match against the Houston Dash leading the Reign to a 1–0 win.[15][16]

Solaun (right) with Reign FC teammate, Carson Pickett, 2016.
Solaun (right) with Reign FC teammate, Carson Pickett, 2016.

Washington Spirit, 2017–2018

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Solaun's player rights were traded to the Washington Spirit in November 2016 in exchange for Spirit players Christine Nairn and Madalyn Schiffel. She signed with the team in December.[17] Solaun would become a regular starter for the Spirit, earning 24 appearances and scoring 5 goals during her first season.

Klepp IL, 2019

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Despite a new contract offer from Washington Spirit, Solaun elected to join Norwegian club Klepp IL on a free transfer for 2019.[18]

Paris FC, 2020

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On January 12, D1 Féminine team Paris FC announced they had signed Solaun.

Apollon Ladies, 2020

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Unable to appear for Paris FC due to the coronavirus pandemic, Solaun signed for Cypriot club Apollon Ladies for their UEFA Women's Champions League campaign.[19]

North Carolina Courage, 2020–2022

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Solaun signed a short-term contract to play for North Carolina Courage during the 2020 NWSL Fall Series.[20] In January 2021, she signed a one-year contract with a one-year option for the team.[21] In September 2022, the club bought out the remainder of her contract and released her to free agency.[22]

Houston Dash, 2023–

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In January 2023, Solaun joined Houston Dash on a two-year contract.[23]

International career

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Solaun in 2019

Solaun was born in Gainesville, Florida to an Afro-Cuban father (Felix Solaun,[24] born in the United States shortly after his parents Félix Solaun and Hilda Luis moved from their native Havana)[25] and a Jamaican mother (Sandra Brower,[26] formerly Solaun, née Phillips), Solaun was originally eligible to play for the national teams of the United States, Cuba or Jamaica.

Youth national teams

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Solaun represented the United States on the under-17 (2010 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship), under-20 and under-23 national teams.[27] As Solaun had previously lived in Canada (also in Singapore),[28] she participated in a centralized camp of the Canadian national team in February 2015.[29][30]

Jamaica senior national team

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Following the historic FIFA Women's World Cup qualification by the Jamaica women's national football team, Solaun was named to its training camp roster in January 2019.[31] She made her debut on March 3 that year in a 3–2 friendly win against Chile.[32]

On June 18, 2019, Solaun scored Jamaica's first-ever goal in a FIFA Women's World Cup shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute against Australia.[33]

International goals

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Scores and results list Jamaica's goal tally first

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1
 18 June 2019 Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France  Australia
1–2
1–4
 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup
2
 4 February 2020 H-E-B Park, Edinburg, United States  Saint Kitts and Nevis
3–0
7–0
 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship

Personal life

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Solaun's first name, Havana, is a tribute to her paternal grandparents' birthplace.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Havana Marguerite Solaun – Profil" (in Norwegian). Norges Fotballforbund.
  2. ^ Wyne, Zaneta (7 June 2019). "Never Let Fear Deter You. – Havana Solaun". Femletics. Retrieved 19 June 2019. PoB: Gainesville, Florida, United States
  3. ^ a b "Havana Solaun". University of Florida. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  4. ^ Johnson, Richard (February 27, 2013). "Gainesville native and Gators soccer star Havana Solaun". ESPN Gainesville. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  5. ^ Provenzano, Michelle (April 25, 2013). "Gators Women's Soccer Havana Solaun soars to new heights". ESPN Gainesville. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "Shine in the Moment: Florida's Havana Solaun". SEC Sports. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  7. ^ Harvin, Jim (5 September 2014). "Solaun's return to lineup keys No. 8 Florida's fast start". Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. ^ Pentz, Matt (15 January 2015). "Reign FC picks up pair of players, Seattle U.'s Verdoia goes to Boston in NWSL Draft". Seattle Times. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. ^ "NWSL Draft: Reign Select Florida's Havana Solaun". Sounder at Heart. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Reign FC Sign Second Round Draft Pick Havana Solaun". Seattle Reign. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  11. ^ "Reign's Havana Solaun Called Up To U23 WNT Camp". Sounder at Heart. 24 January 2016. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  12. ^ Harvin, Jim (August 21, 2013). "Solaun builds on experience abroad". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  13. ^ Blue, Molly (27 March 2016). "Portland Thorns lose 2–0 to Seattle Reign FC in preseason match at Providence Park". The Oregonian. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  14. ^ Lee, Allison (17 April 2016). "Sky Blue FC opens 2016 with 2–1 upset of Seattle Reign". Once a Metro. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  15. ^ "Havana Solaun's goal lifts Reign, but work remains". The Seattle Times. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  16. ^ "Reign FC Shout Out Dash in 1–0 Win". National Women's Soccer League. June 12, 2016. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  17. ^ "Washington Spirit Signs Midfielder Havana Solaun". Washington Spirit. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  18. ^ Anderson, Jason (17 January 2019). "Washington Spirit news round-up: Megan Crosson in, several players out". Black and Red United. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  19. ^ Cowan, Sherdon (13 September 2020). "Reggae Girl Solaun finds new home with Apollon Ladies in Cyprus". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  20. ^ Birkedal, Morgan (30 September 2020). "NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE SIGN JAMAICAN MIDFIELDER HAVANA SOLAUN". North Carolina Courage. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Rylee Baisden and Havana Solaun Ink Contracts Following Stellar Fall Series Performances". North Carolina Courage. 5 January 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Courage Executes Contract Buyout of Midfielder Havana Solaun". North Carolina Courage. 3 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Reggae Girl Solaun joins Houston Dash". The Gleaner. 14 January 2023.
  24. ^ "A to Z: Sierra Solaun". Gainesville Sun (Gainesville, Florida).
  25. ^ "Felix Manuel Solaun Obituary – Jacksonville, FL". Dignity Memorial.
  26. ^ "Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles Athletics – Zhoe Solaun – 2012–13". Florida Gulf Coast University.
  27. ^ "U-23 WNT Set to Travel to Croatia for Istria Cup". United States Soccer Federation. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  28. ^ "Havana Solaun (USA)". Canada Soccer. 21 November 2019.
  29. ^ "[2015-02] Centralised Development Program". Canada Soccer. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  30. ^ "Determined: Solaun moving past ACL tear, making impact for Gators". The Independent Florida Alligator. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  31. ^ "Reggae Girlz Training Squad". Facebook. Jamaica Football Federation. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  32. ^ "Solaun completes Reggae Girlz squad". jamaica-star.com. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  33. ^ JAMAICA SCORE THEIR FIRST EVER FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP™ GOAL | HIGHLIGHTS, retrieved 11 July 2021
  34. ^ "Havana Gets FIFA's Nod To Play For Jamaica's Reggae Girlz". The Readers Bureau. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
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