Jordan DiBiasi’s favorite career goal was one that carried the Stanford Cardinal team to the National Championships in 2017. “We had a free kick outside the box and I managed to move around my defender, and diving, headed the ball into the back of the net,” she reminisces. The goal meant a lot for DiBiasi, as it was for her best friend and teammate Michelle Xiao, who was suffering an injury from the weekend before. “Immediately after the ball went in the back of the net, I held up my hand to honor Michelle who was #5 on our team.”
The team went on to beat UCLA in the Championships 3-2. Championships were not uncommon for DiBiasi during her college career. In fact, all four years she attended, she helped Stanford to win the Pac-12 Championship.
During her college years, DiBiasi also pursued her international career. She received a call up to the U20 team in 2016 and was a part of the U23 team in 2018.
Choosing Stanford was a no-brainer for DiBiasi.
”Going through the recruiting process, both school and soccer were equally important to me. I wanted to find a school that could offer me a top education as well as a chance to compete for a national championship. Stanford was the perfect fit.”
DiBiasi credits her experience at Rush for preparing her for the college game as she expressed, “The Rush way is very similar to how Stanford plays - a very technical possession-oriented style of play. This was part of the reason why I chose Stanford. I like and believe in this style of play and therefore, felt like I was able to transition quickly to the collegiate game.”
When she was just five years old, DiBiasi started playing on a recreational Colorado Rush team coached by a family friend. This was the start of a career that would have a huge influence on shaping her into the person and player she is today. DiBiasi would end up staying with her original core group of teammates at 5 years old her entire Rush career, until they left for college soccer.
Growing up together, DiBiasi’s teammates were more than just that, “They were and still are some of my closest friends.” Because of this, she had more than a few favorite memories from her Rush experience.
“On the field, I will never forget the feelings and emotions that came with winning the ECNL Championship my U15 year, not the journey our team had to get to that position. Similarly, winning the ManU Cup in Portland then traveling to Sweden to play in the Gothia Cup a month later was such a unique experience. The Rush was much more than a club; it was like a second family to me,” she recalls, “Whether we were competing ourselves, cheering on and supporting other teams within the club, or hanging out in between soccer, a lot of my favorite memories from the Rush were when we were all together.”
DiBiasi prides herself in her work ethic. “I am going to do whatever it takes to be successful and to help my team win. I am constantly asked where I learned to be like that, and I always go back to the Rush,” she states. “The Rush Core Values were instilled in me at a young age and I continue to live them out both on and off the field. I had great examples to look up to and coaches who believed in me and my potential. Through this support, I learned not only the value and importance of training but also how to be a competitor.”
Erik Bushey and Wes Hart were two coaches that were “critical pieces” to DiBiasi’s development. She describes them as, “two world class coaches and people that I feel very fortunate to have worked with. I am the player I am today because of them.” DiBiasi also had older players such as Lindsey Horan to look up to as she was growing up. “I saw all of the work Lindsey put in day in and day out. Her work ethic inspired me and I would take what I learned from her and try to then implement that into my game.”
DiBiasi transitioned from her club career to Stanford where she played in 92 games, starting in 91 of them. Though her diving header was her favorite goal, she had an impressive tally of 30 additional goals during her time there. Her list of accomplishments and awards are a long one, among them including 2018 Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year, 2018 All American, and Pac-12 All-Freshman in 2015.
Since her graduation from Stanford, DiBiasi has been picked up by the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Spirit used their 3rd overall pick to choose the midfielder, and DiBiasi has been enjoying her first season there. “I love my team,” she gushed, “I am very lucky to be surrounded by such a strong and powerful group of women.”
DiBiasi has played in 19 games this season, starting in 18. She has scored a total of 4 goals and was announced as part of the NWSL’s ‘May Team of the Month’. The pro level hasn’t been easy for her though, “My speed of play has to be even faster than the college game and decision making/tactical awareness far quicker.”
She also had been feeling the impact of the pro level physically, “The NWSL season is 7-8 months long. Every game is demanding on your body. It has been difficult for my body to endure throughout the season. I have never played so long nor at such an intense level before and my body is still learning how to adapt.”
As we know, though, DiBiasi’s work ethic is not discouraged by this new pace, “I have loved learning how to navigate this new level.”
DiBiasi has seen tremendous success throughout her soccer career. When asked what is fundamental for younger Rush athletes looking to follow in her footsteps, she stated:
“It is important for players to love what they do. Whether that be soccer or not, it’s important to find what you care about and to follow that passion. If you’re passionate about something the sky is your limit. It serves as your motivation and brings you confidence. Work won’t feel like work because you love what you’re doing and WANT to do it. You won’t let failure stop you, only remotivate you.”
Jordan DiBiasi embodies The Rush Way and is an incredible role model for young athletes everywhere.
“My family is everything to me,” she finishes, “They have been there for me through the ups and downs and I am so thankful for their endless love and support.”
Rush is proud to promote and follow alumni as they pursue their professional careers. We are excited to see Jordan excelling in her first year at Washington Spirit and we are excited to see what the future holds. You can follow her schedule and keep up with her stats as she finishes out this season!