On April 25, 2018, Aly Wagner was announced as the first female game analyst for a men’s world cup on U.S. television for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup. During her playing days, Wagner was a two-time Olympic gold medalist as well as a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup medalist. Considered one of the most skillful passers as a midfielder, Wagner has served as an analyst for FOX Sports soccer coverage, as well as for the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime.
Alyson Kay “Aly” Wagner was born on August 10, 1980, in San Jose, CA. She was a starter for Presentation High School as well as a key member of the youth club team, the Central Valley Mercury. Wagner helped the club team win three straight national titles (1996-1998). As a senior, she was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, NSCAA All-American, Parade All-American, and Parade Magazine High School Player of the Year.
At Santa Clara University, Wagner was a standout player, even starting to play with the US women’s national soccer team while still a freshman. She was named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year in 2000. In 2001, she led the Santa Clara Broncos to the NCAA title, scoring the only goal in the 1-0 victory over UNC. Then, in 2002, she won the MAC Hermann Trophy as college soccer’s top player. Not surprisingly, Wagner was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft, by the San Diego Spirit. In 2005, she played professionally in France for Olympique Lyonnaise. Before retiring on January 14, 2010, she played for the Los Angeles Sol, helping her team win the championship game.
Even during her professional soccer-playing days, Wagner always found herself talking to the television while watching soccer matches. Since retirement, she has made a name for herself as an outspoken, but respected, soccer analyst. She was an analyst for FOX Sports’
coverage of the 2015 Women’s World Cup. She just started her second year as an announcer on the National Women’s Soccer League weekly telecasts on Lifetime. Wagner was also featured on-air talent at the 2017 and 2018 NWSL College Draft.
Wagner won’t be the only female announcer at the FIFA World Cup this summer. In March, Telemundo announced that they added Argentine Viviana Vila to their broadcast team to provide in-match commentary.