Brianna Pinto | QueenBallers Player profile

Brianna

Pinto

May 24, 2000

#8 - Midfielder

Brianna Alexis Smalls Pinto is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League.

Did You Know?

She began her soccer journey at age 3, inspired by her older brother's involvement in the sport.

At age 9, her father put her on a boys' team at Triangle FC after consulting Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Cindy Parlow about her development.

Brianna's father, Hassan, played soccer at UNC, and her mother, Meleata, played softball there. Her brothers, Hassan and Malik, have also pursued professional soccer careers.

She co-founded Next Gen United, a campaign focused on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within U.S. Soccer.

Through the Pinto Futbol Foundation, Brianna works to make soccer more accessible to underserved communities, exemplifying her commitment to social impact.

She was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy in 2020, given to the best college soccer player in the U.S.

She was the youngest player (16) called up to the U.S. senior national team for the 2017 SheBelieves Cup.

She was one of five active NWSL players who helped negotiate the league’s updated collective bargaining agreement in 2024.

She has represented the U.S. at various levels, including the U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups, starting every game in both tournaments.

She has studied Spanish, helping her communicate better with a diverse range of teammates and fans.

She has mentioned that she always listens to music before a game to get in the zone.

She has cited Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd as two of her biggest inspirations.

She has expressed a desire to visit Europe more often, especially Spain and England, to experience football culture there.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina.

She follows a strict game-day routine: eats the same pre-game meal, prays for everyone's safety, and reminds herself, "I can do hard things."

She designed custom Juneteenth cleats featuring red, yellow, and green colors, a raised fist breaking chains, and a Maya Angelou quote to symbolize strength, resilience, and the journey from survival to thriving. She praised the artist’s work and looks forward to autographing the cleats as a tribute to the holiday’s significance.

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Club Achievements

Concacaf Women's U20	1×
Sud Ladies Cup	1×
NWSL Challenge Cup	2×

Awards

U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year: 2019

1×

Stats

Year	Club	AP	GL
2021 - present	North Carolina Courage	74	8
2021 -	NJ/NY Gotham FC	10	0
2018 - 2021	North Carolina Tar Heels	65	23
International Stats
2017 - 2020	United States U20	29	12
2015 - 2016	United States U17	3	0