SoccerWire is publishing Q&A articles with players who have Featured Profiles in the SoccerWire Recruiting Directory. The series allows players to share their stories on the college recruiting process, playing the game at the international level, travel and high school soccer, and their passion for the beautiful game.
In this edition we will showcase U.S. Youth National Team goalkeeper Gabby Gjeldum, who plays for Galaxy SC in the Girls Academy, and has verbally committed to play for UCLA in 2028.
SoccerWire Featured Player since January 2026.
What made you decide to verbally commit to UCLA?
I ultimately decided on UCLA, because from the first time I was on campus I could see myself living there and thriving. I also knew from the second I spoke with the coaches at an ID Camp, they cared about Gabby the person, not just the soccer player. They were interested in my life outside of soccer and genuinely wanted to get to know me as a person. And once they met both my parents and all my siblings, I was 100% correct. UCLA seems like an environment where I will thrive academically and athletically alongside my teammates.
What was the recruiting process like and what did you learn about yourself while going through it?
It was definitely very stressful and quick, but I learned a lot about what I was looking for. I learned that I was looking for coaches who cared about me, and not just me as a player. There are a lot of coaches out there who want to spend phone calls selling you into coming to their school, and there are also coaches who are asking questions about your soccer life AND your personal life, keeping you engaged in the conversation. And that second kind of coach is who I wanted to play under and learn under.
How do you feel your strengths on the field will help the Bruins?
I feel that my ability to distribute and stay engaged with my teammates, especially my backline, will help the Bruins on the field. Staying engaged as a goalkeeper can sometimes be very hard, but I try my best to communicate efficiently and effectively, while also staying engaged with my feet.
What are your favorite subjects in school and what do you think you would like to study in college?
My favorite subjects in school right now are history and AP Psychology. I would like to study psychology in college because I am interested in getting challenged to figure out why people are the way that they are.
You recently won the Girls Academy National Championship with Galaxy SC 2010. What was that experience like for you, winning the championship and the Golden Glove Award?
Winning the GA National Championship with my Galaxy SC 2010 team was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. Knowing how many sacrifices we made as a team to get to that final game was so rewarding. On that team, we were all incredibly close, and I don’t know what will ever beat the feeling of winning that championship with my best friends. Getting the award of the Golden Glove was also an incredible feeling, but it wasn’t just an award for me, I wouldn’t have been standing up on that stage without the help of my backline. My backline and I are a team, and whatever one of us achieves, we all achieve. We ended playoffs and finals with six consecutive shutouts and those were not just the doing of me, but the doing of all of us, and I couldn’t be prouder.
What are your favorite pair of cleats that you have ever owned?
I always stick with a Nike Mercurial Elite or a Nike Phantom Elite. I love the way that both of those styles mold to my feet, and I could not tell you the last time I wore some other cleat than those two.
If you could give one piece of advice to a younger player that wants to play at a high level, what would it be?
There will be so much outside noise, but you have to find a way to ignore it. Sometimes you will just have to put your head down and grind. Also along the way, there will be tons of sacrifices you’ll have to make. While your friends are hanging out, you may have practice or a game, but eventually those sacrifices will be worth it. And if you want it, you really have to want it.
Is there anyone that you would like to give a shoutout to who has helped you both on and off of the field?
I would say my coach JT has helped me on and off the field. JT has been my coach at Galaxy since I joined and he has never failed to push me to be the best possible version of myself. He has also never judged me when I’m having an off day, or can’t make it to one practice because I’m drowning in homework. He makes an effort to get to know my family and connect with us outside of soccer, to make sure everything’s safe and sound. And my parents reciprocate that. JT pushes my team in the best way he can, sometimes people don’t like that, but I choose to accept it, and also see through it, knowing he just wants the best for us. I remember before joining the team, JT told my dad, “She has the potential to play at the Division 1 Level, she just has to want it.” Knowing that he saw my potential from day one, and helped me achieve that and more, is an amazing feeling and I am so grateful for that.
