Soccer

First Gen Team USA: Naomi Girma

by Naomi Girma

Naomi Girma is a professional soccer player for the USWNT and San Diego Wave. Born in San Jose, California, Naomi is the first player of Ethiopian descent to play for the U.S. Women's National Team. In Athlete Voices: First Gen Team USA, Naomi speaks with women's sports reporter Ari Chambers about what it means to represent the United States as a first-generation American, her hopes for other children of immigrants, and the future of the USWNT.

Naomi Girma of USMNT poses on set at a shoot for Team USA in Los Angeles.
Team USA
"I am first generation, so I didn't really know that much about the soccer landscape or where it could take me. So I feel like me and my family were kind of figuring it out together."
Naomi Girma sitting down and looking at the camera
Naomi Girma
"It's very much a part of Ethiopian culture. Everyone loves soccer, so it kind of just came naturally to us."
Naomi Girma sitting down and looking at the camera
Naomi Girma
Naomi Girma dribbling a soccer ball
Team USA
"I saw the whole Ethiopian community in the Bay. Just people I knew, people I didn't know showing out and just cheering for us, cheering for Stanford just because I was on the team. I think that was one of the times where I was like, oh, okay, I've got a squad behind me and they're rooting for me."
Naomi Girma sitting down and looking at the camera
Naomi Girma
"I went along and played in college and then ended up playing with the US. I think it's just about making our family and our communities proud and putting on for them and just showing out and honoring them."
Naomi Girma sitting down and looking at the camera
Naomi Girma
A close up shot of Naomi Girma in her USWNT jersey at a Team USA shoot in Los Angeles.
Team USA
" I'm proud of myself for staying true to myself and no matter what happens, whether it's good or bad, just doing what I do because I love it."
Naomi Girma sitting down and looking at the camera
Naomi Girma
Naomi Girma #4 of the United States and teammates celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup Final against Brazil at Snapdragon Stadium on March 10, 2024 in San Diego, California.
Getty Images