Melanie Barcenas

Melanie Magali Barcenas (born October 30, 2007) is an American professional soccer player for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In 2023, she became the youngest player ever to play in the NWSL, at the age of 15 years and 177 days.

Early life
Barcenas was born and raised in San Diego, California. At age 10, she attended a United States women's national soccer team match against Brazil in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, and accompanied the United States players out onto the pitch before the match. She asked forward Alex Morgan, her favorite player, for a jersey after the match, which Morgan gave her.

Barcenas played during her youth career with San Diego Surf. She was part of the Surf under-8 team that won the 2014 Albion Cup National Soccer Showcase in San Diego and the leading goalscorer for the Surf's under-12 team at the 2019 Far West President's Cup in Norco, California, which the Surf won on two goals by Barcenas in the championship match.

Club career
On March 21, 2023, Barcenas signed a three-year contract with San Diego Wave FC at the age of 15 years and 138 days. This contract made her the youngest-ever NWSL signee, breaking the record set by Chloe Ricketts earlier in the month (15 years and 283 days). She made her first appearance with the team during a pre-season match against Angel City FC on March 18, 2023.

Barcenas made her NWSL regular-season debut on April 29, 2023, in a 3–1 loss to the Orlando Pride, entering as a substitute in the 72nd minute. Her appearance, somewhat delayed by an illness, nonetheless made her the youngest NWSL player ever to appear in a regular-season match (15 years and 177 days). One of her Wave teammates is Alex Morgan, whose shirt she had received as a fan.

International career
Barcenas has Mexican American heritage. On January 17, 2022, Barcenas attended training camp for the Mexico national under-17 team.

On April 11, 2022, Barcenas was the youngest player named to the initial roster of the United States national under-17 team for the 2022 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship, but was forced to withdraw before the start of the tournament due to an ankle injury. She was called into United States under-17 friendlies in August 2022 and under-16 training camp in October 2022.

In February 2023, Barcenas played in two exhibition games with the United States under-17 team. Barcenas was named to the roster for the 2024 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship in Mexico where she scored 1 goal en route to the US team winning the championship for the sixth time as well as qualifying the team for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

Honors
San Diego Wave

United States U-17
 * NWSL Shield: 2023
 * NWSL Challenge Cup: 2024


 * CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship: 2024