The Women’s Game is an exclusive editorial series written by writer, broadcaster, and former college and pro soccer player Renee Washington for BrooklynFootballClub.com. Each week, Renee goes behind the scenes with Brooklyn FC Women, giving unique insights into the squad and sharing stories of the people behind the crest.
Jordan Thompson’s journey from the Pacific Northwest to Brooklyn has not been a smooth ride.
She has certainly been through the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, as the cliche goes.
But along the way, the Brooklyn FC Women’s defender has had some unforgettable experiences and learned that not only can she endure the trials, but also can rise above them.
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Learning to Navigate the Unknown
Thompson was born in Sumner, Washington, a town south of Seattle. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, where her performances for the Bulldogs led her to be drafted by the Washington Spirit of the NWSL.
But before she could even sign a contract with the Spirit, Thompson tore her ACL. It was her first major injury, and the timing left reeling to figure out how to get through it.
“After I tore my ACL, it was a lot of emotions and logistics to sort out,” Thompson says. “I just had this massive high of getting drafted to play professional soccer and then suffered my first-ever major injury pretty much immediately after.”
Without a professional-club rehab structure around her, Thompson leaned on the people and places she trusted.
“I didn’t really know what to do or how to navigate an injury like that, so I ended up going back to my college and working with my athletic trainer for part of my rehab,” Thompson recalls. “Then I went to LA where my dad and now-fiancé (Jack) were living and finished rehab there with Z at Ignite Physio. I had the best people around me during the process, and there’s no way I could have done it without them.”
The setback not only delayed her professional career, but also changed its path. Instead of joining an NWSL side, Thompson set out on a soccer adventure even she never could’ve imagined.
From War to Winning a Trophy
The first stop on Thompson’s journey was Israel, where she joined Hapoel Ra’anana in the Ligat Nashim in September 2023. She scored her first goal for the club on October 6, 2023.
The next day the October 7 attacks occurred. The league was suspended and Thompson quickly fled the country.
Again, without a club, she landed on the other side of the world, signing with A-League side Sydney FC on a short-term “injury replacement contract.”
She immediately proved herself and became an integral part of the side that went on to the title. Thompson started and went the full 90 in the Sky Blue’s 1-0 in over Melbourne in the 2024 A-League Women Grand Final. As hectic as the move to Australia had been, it gave her the minutes, confidence and community she had been searching for.
“Playing abroad professionally was the best thing I could have ever done,” Thompson said. “I hit the absolute jackpot with Sydney FC and met some of my best friends. It was so cool traveling to a new part of the world and feeling like it was a second home.”
The experience also gave Thompson room to grow on the field.
“As a player, it helped me get valuable minutes and experience that I would have struggled to get in the U.S.,” she said. “It helped me learn a lot about my game and also helped build my confidence.”
But her strongest memory of her time in Australia is not about what happened on the field.
“My favorite part about winning the championship is that my mom actually got to fly to Melbourne and be in the stands for the Grand Final game,” Thompson said.
In Service
In 2025, Thompson left Sydney to join Brooklyn FC. She’s brought with her a strong work ethic and a desire to serve the community away from the game — a selfless drive she comes by naturally.
“Veterans and veteran organizations are close to my heart because my dad and stepmom both served in the military,” Thompson says. “My dad was a Green Beret and my stepmom was in the Air Force.”
Thompson is always looking for ways to support veterans’ groups, but she also has found ways to give back to our furry friends.
“I have always loved animals, especially cats, and in one of my off-seasons with Sydney, I had a ton of free time and was living in Houston with Jack,” Thompson recalls. “I ended up finding a shelter that was near us, and I would go and volunteer a few times a week. I was in charge of socializing the cats and taking care of them.”
One of those cats was PigPen, who eventually came home with them.
“He is the sweetest guy ever,” she says.
Bringing Passion to Brooklyn
With Brooklyn FC Women, Thompson seems to have found a home. She’s made 31 appearances for the club since the start of the 2025/26 season, including 5 appearances and 3 starts in the current Gainbridge Super League Fall Season.
She played a key role in the team’s 3-2 win over previously undefeated Sporting JAX last weekend and is expected to be integral to the backline throughout the season.
“Jordan is someone who has a lot of passion as a player,” General Manager Samantha Johnson said. “We’ve appreciated her intensity and look forward to seeing how that attribute can positively impact the group.”
DID YOU KNOW?
When she isn’t eating opposing attackers for dinner, Jordan Thompson loves to bake. Cinnamon rolls rank as her most-requested item.
She also enjoys reading, is learning needlepoint, and, yes, can say the alphabet backwards.
Up Next: Brooklyn FC at Carolina Ascent
Thompson and Brooklyn FC head to Carolina Ascent on September 19 with a new feeling behind them after earning their first win of the Fall season, a 3-2 victory over previously unbeaten Sporting JAX.
For Head Coach Alex Smith, the result was a reward for the work the group has continued to put in behind the scenes.
“The entire program has been working extremely hard on and off the pitch, so I am just pleased that the players and staff have something to show for their dedication,” Smith said. “I thought the commitment and intensity were at a different level and I saw a lot of the things we have been working on in training. This was easily our best performance and something to build on for the rest of the season.”
Now, the challenge is turning one breakthrough into something repeatable.
“For me, it’s now a case of we know we can do it, so it’s really about creating consistency in everything we did well during the game,” Smith said. “Commitment, intensity and application of our roles and game plan will be key to us building from here. None of the teams that have beaten us were able to beat Sporting JAX, so the players should have every confidence they can win any game they play in.”
