Messiah Bright started playing soccer when she was just four years old. For this Dallas, Texas native, the game was a sport that had a special connection to her family—with her father playing soccer when he was younger—and one she would quickly grow to become passionate about. After beginning her journey in competitive soccer at the age of seven, Messiah was committed to developing her skills and elevating her knowledge of the game. From first joining the Mustangs FC to then competing with Solar Chelsea, she continued to step outside her comfort zone throughout her journey in the sport early on. More determined than ever to one day play soccer at the highest level, she verbally committed to Texas Christian University (TCU) during her freshman year of high school and was focused on building her legacy within the game in the years to come. Sure enough, she did just that.
Throughout her time at TCU, Messiah not only earned an array of accolades—including the 2018 Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, 2019 Big 12 Championships Offensive MVP, and 2021 Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player awards—; but she also left her mark on the game after becoming the program’s all-time leader in goals and points and setting a school record in single-season goals scored. Even with all of this, her eyes remained on the prize: the chance to play the sport she loved at the highest level. Little did she know, but her childhood dreams were about to turn to reality. With the 21st pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, the Orlando Pride selected Messiah. This was it. This was the opportunity she had been working towards since she was a little kid. She hasn't looked back since. Currently in her first season in the NWSL, Messiah is excited to embark on this new chapter in her athletic career and embrace all the growth opportunities that it brings both on and off the pitch. Along with her goals of winning Rookie of the Year and working towards a NWSL Championship, Messiah is also looking forward to pursuing several personal endeavors within philanthropy, mentorship, and community outreach in the near future. One thing is for certain...Messiah Bright is READY TO SHINE!
You had an incredible career at TCU! You won an array of accolades starting from your freshman year and all throughout your collegiate career—including setting the program record for most goals scored in a single season, being named the 2021 Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and becoming the program’s all-time leader in goals and points, just to name a few. What did achieving these milestones and earning those accolades mean to you?
It meant a lot. I think it showed my hard work and also my teammates'. I wouldn't have done all those things without them and without the coaches pushing me to my potential. I feel like it's a confidence booster—especially coming in from your freshman year. It's like you do one goal, but then once you hit that goal it's like: “Ok, what else can I achieve?” I think that's basically what I showed coming out of TCU. It was just like, “Ok, I accomplished this goal freshman year. Let me see if I can accomplish something higher going into my sophomore, my junior, my senior year, and potentially my fifth year.” So I would say it was just definitely a confidence booster. I think it showed my growth as a player on and off the field. I only got better thanks to the people who surrounded me.
How do you think your game elevated throughout your time at TCU to prepare you for the next level?
At the next level, I knew that there would be a lot of challenges but I think TCU helped me prepare with the simple things. You know, studying film, going in and asking questions to my coaches if I have a question, (etc); because you're going to have to do that on the higher level. Especially now, I am put in positions where if I don't understand something technically that's when I have to just put on my big girl pants and go and ask questions. You know, know that I do have a staff that's supporting me and I do have a staff that's willing to help me grow in all of the spectrums of the sport. I think TCU did a really good job of attending to me and also to my class, just helping us grow as leaders, and doing anything that we could just to remain on our front foot.
Now, we have to talk about Draft Night! You were selected by the Orlando Pride with the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Take us through that moment of hearing your name being called and achieving your childhood dreams of playing soccer at the highest level?