Lo'eau LaBonta

Lo'eau Kaiulani LaBonta (born March 18, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays as a midfielder for Kansas City Current in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

College soccer

LaBonta attended Stanford University from 2011 to 2014, and was part of the NCAA National Championship winning team in the 2011 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament.

Club career

Sky Blue FC, 2015

Sky Blue FC drafted LaBonta from Stanford with the 37th overall pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft. She made six appearances before Sky Blue FC waived her and Meg Morris in July 2015 to make room on the roster for players returning from the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

FC Kansas City, 2016–2017

FC Kansas City signed LaBonta in May 2016. She debuted for FCKC against the Orlando Pride shortly thereafter, and soon earned a regular starting position with the team. FCKC head coach Vlatko Andonovski cited her tenacity in winning possession from opponents for her increased playing time.

Western Sydney Wanderers, 2017–2019 (loan)

In October 2017, LaBonta joined Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers. She played every match for the Red & Black, scoring one goal. She returned to the Wanderers for the 2018–19 season and appeared in 9 games.

Utah Royals FC, 2018–2020

After FC Kansas City ceased operations after the 2017 season, LaBonta was officially added to the roster of the Utah Royals FC on February 8, 2018. LaBonta appeared in 16 games for the Royals in the 2018 NWSL season.

She returned to Utah for the 2019 season and scored her first goal for the club on April 21, in a 1–0 win over the Washington Spirit. LaBonta was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for August, she had 1 goal and 2 assists during the month of August.

Kansas City Current, 2021–present

LaBonta followed the transfer of player related assets to the Kansas City expansion team, Kansas City Current, after the Utah Royals FC folded. She earned the nickname "Celly Queen" for her elaborate celebrations after scoring goals. In the first away game of the 2024 season, she converted a penalty in the 71st minute for a 2–1 win against San Diego Wave.

Viral Goal Celebration Video

During the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season, Labonta's goal celebration went viral after converting a penalty kick against Angel City FC. After scoring, Labonta began moving toward the corner flag and walking as if she had injured her hamstring only to start twerking. The video of her celebration quickly went viral and other players in different sports began imitating the celebration including Travis Kelce and Alexander Mattison.

Personal life

LaBonta was born in Rancho Cucamonga, California. LaBonta is married to retired Sporting Kansas City player Roger Espinoza.

While attending Stanford, she earned a degree in engineering.

Career Statistics

last updated October 21, 2023

Honors

Individual

• NWSL Best XI: 2022

References

External links

• Lo'eau LaBonta at Soccerway
• National Women's Soccer League player profile
• Utah Royals FC player profile Archived November 28, 2020, at the Wayback Machine