Vanessa DiBernardo

Vanessa DiBernardo set an NCAA record by scoring four goals in a single game while still at Waubonsie Valley High School, and carried that scoring instinct into a college career at the University of Illinois, where she was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and, a year later, Big Ten Midfielder of the Year. Chicago Red Stars took her fourth overall in the 2014 NWSL College Draft, and she eventually captained the side in 2022. By the time she left, she held the club records for appearances, minutes played and assists.

In between, a loan spell at Perth Glory in Australia: Player of the Year in 2015–16, then Player of the Year again the following season alongside the Golden Boot, as Perth reached the Grand Final.

DiBernardo signed with Kansas City Current as a free agent. She scored the first-ever goal at CPKC Stadium and has helped the club to the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup and the 2025 NWSL Shield.

At youth level, DiBernardo was part of the United States side that won the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the CONCACAF U-20 Championship that same year. She has been called into senior national team training camps but has not yet made her debut for the United States.