Born in Akron, Ohio Salem attended Copley High School in Copley, Ohio where she ended her high school career with 81 goals and 46 assists. She scored 23 goals and recorded 13 assists in her senior year alone, leading Copley to its fourth straight Suburban League title.[2][3]
Salem also played club soccer for Cleveland FC and was a member of the Ohio Olympic Development Program (ODP) team.[4]
Francis Marion University
Salem attended Francis Marion University. During her freshman year, she tied the school record by recording 11 assists. As a sophomore, Salem was ranked third in scoring on the team. The midfielder was named team MVP during her sophomore and junior years. She was a co-captain and the team's leading scorer during the 2008 season. She is the first female alumna from Francis Marion University to play professional soccer.[1][5]
Springfield College
While playing professional soccer for Portland Thorns FC, Salem earned a master's in education in clinical mental health education from Springfield College, graduating in May 2020.[6][5][7] During her masters education, she was the graduate assistant coach for three years under head coach John Gibson within Springfield's women's soccer program.[8][9][10]
Playing career
Salem playing for the Newcastle Jets
Sky Blue FC (WPS)
Salem signed with the Sky Blue FC for the 2010 WPS season. She played three games for the club. Sky Blue won the WPS Championship.[2][11]
Åland United (Naisten Liiga)
In 2011 Salem played for Åland United, a Finnish club that plays in the top national women's league, the Naisten Liiga.[12]
Atlanta Beat (WPS)
In 2011 Salem also played for the Atlanta Beat in the WPS. She started 9 of the 11 games she played.[13]
Western New York Flash (WPSL Elite)
Salem appeared in all 16 matches for the Western New York Flash in the 2012 WPSL Elite season. She helped the team to its third consecutive championship, scoring the game-winning penalty kick after double overtime in the championship game against the Chicago Red Stars.[4][14]
Following the 2014 NWSL season, the Flash traded Salem and Kat Reynolds to the Washington Spirit for Jordan Angeli and a first-round pick—sixth overall—in the 2015 NWSL College Draft.[17] That pick was later used to select Lynn Williams.[18]
On January 30, 2018, the Portland Thorns selected Salem as the number fifteen pick in the dispersal draft following the Breakers' cessation of operations.[20][21] She scored her first goal for the Thorns, her first goal since 2016, on June 5, 2021, against Racing Louisville FC.[22] Salem scored her second goal for the club against rival OL Reign on August 29, 2021, at Lumen Field in Seattle.[citation needed]
In February 2022, Salem announced her retirement from professional soccer.[23]
Coaching career
Washington Spirit (2022–2023)
On March 23, 2022, the Washington Spirit named Salem, who holds a United States Soccer Federation B license, as an assistant coach.[24] After the Spirit fired head coach Kris Ward, Salem acted as de facto head coach for one game on August 27, 2022.[25] On December 6, 2023, she announced on social media her departure from the Spirit to pursue other opportunities.[26]
Bay FC (2024–)
On December 14, 2023, Salem was announced as part of Bay FC manager Albertin Montoya's inaugural coaching staff. Salem and Montoya worked together when Montoya took on the interim position at the Washington Spirit through the end of the 2022 NWSL season.[27]
^Kassouf, Jeff (February 18, 2011). "Atlanta signs Salem, Bethke". The Equalizer. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
