A member of the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2005, Tina Ellertson is known for her unmatched speed and natural athleticism. Growing up in Vancouver, Washington, she excelled at basketball, volleyball and track and was a Washington state finalist in the 100 meter sprint. Her father, a one time soccer coach and native of Ghana, wisely steered her away from track and court and onto the soccer field.
While playing for the University of Washington Huskies, Ellertson, who went by her maiden name Tina Frimpong, was an all-time leader in goals (43) and points (99). She led the Pac-10 Conference in goals as a junior and as a senior and was named Player of the Year both years. After leading the Huskies to the best season in the program's history, she was honored as a NSCAA Second-Team All-American. She was invited to a few U.S. under-age-21 camps by then-coach Greg Ryan who suggested she switch from forward to her current post as central defender.
Ellertson played with the U.S. Under-21 National Team in 2004 but had her breakout tournament at the 2006 Four Nations Tournament, starting all three games and helping her team onto a USA title. She played in seven matches in 2007 heading into the final pre-Women’s World Cup match, starting three, one at the Four Nations Tournament in China and two at the Algarve Cup in Portugal. She most recently helped the U.S. take bronze at the 2007 Women’s World Cup with a 4-1 win over Norway.
One of several U.S. Soccer squad members with children, Ellertson is mother to Mackenzie born in 2001 and Mya born May of this year. She and her other maternally minded teammates give new meaning to the term “soccer mom.” To say the rest of her family is soccer crazy is an understatement. Twin sister, Crystal, played for University of Florida and brother Alex played at UC Santa Barbara. Daughter MacKenzie is a goal scoring machine at the age of seven. Ellertson’s other passions include cooking her mom’s traditional Nigerian dishes and spending time with her family, on the grid and off.
