Evelyn Ijeh: From Europe to North Carolina, the making of an NC Courage star
By Rylee McKinney (@rylees_roster)
After building her game across Sweden, Mexico and Italy, Evelyn Ijeh is bringing her experience, confidence and versatility to the NWSL while making her own mark with the NC Courage.
For Evelyn Ijeh, soccer has always been more than just a game. Growing up in a football family helped spark her passion, but a career spanning multiple countries has shaped the player she is today. Now with the NC Courage, the Swedish international is embracing a new challenge in the NWSL while continuing to build on a journey that has already taken her across some of the world's top leagues.
Ijeh's path to North Carolina has included stops in Sweden, Mexico with Tigres and Italy with AC Milan. Each experience offered a different playing environment, new teammates and challenges that pushed her to grow beyond the pitch.
Rather than viewing the differences between leagues as obstacles, Ijeh has tried to approach each opportunity with an open mind.
"Playing in so many different leagues has, of course, contributed to the way I'm playing my game right now," Ijeh said in an interview with Topbin90. "Being kind of versatile in the way I play."
Her time abroad has also given her experiences that extend beyond soccer. Moving to Mexico and Italy meant navigating language barriers, prompting her to learn Spanish and Italian along the way.
Those experiences have helped shape her perspective and reinforced the importance of adapting to new environments, something that has proved valuable as she takes on the NWSL.
A breakthrough in Italy, a new challenge in North Carolina
Before arriving in the United States, Ijeh enjoyed a standout 2024-25 season with AC Milan, scoring 12 goals and finishing third in Italy's Golden Boot race.
The campaign strengthened her belief in her own abilities while highlighting the importance of the players around her. For Ijeh, individual success is rarely achieved alone.
She credited her teammates with helping put her in positions to score, a sentiment that has carried into her time with the Courage.
"I'm very confident in myself; I know what I'm capable of," Ijeh said.
That confidence has translated into moments of quality in North Carolina. In July, Ijeh recorded a historic hat-trick against the Orlando Pride, becoming the first Swedish player to score a hat-trick in NWSL history.
It was a milestone performance, but Ijeh was quick to recognize the collective effort behind it.
"Scoring a hat-trick is always not easy," she said. "Of course, you need all your teammates."
For Ijeh, the performance reflected the importance of creating an environment in which every player can contribute their strengths. Rather than treating the milestone as an individual achievement alone, she viewed it as a product of the team's work.
The hat-trick also offered another reminder of what she can accomplish when given the opportunity to make an impact in the attack.
Finding chemistry with Ashley Sanchez
One of the important relationships in Ijeh's time with the Courage has been her attacking partnership with Ashley Sanchez.
Sanchez's ability to create opportunities in one-on-one situations gives Ijeh an understanding of how to move around her teammate and find the right spaces on the pitch.
Ijeh has been particularly complimentary of Sanchez's individual quality, describing her as a "baller" and emphasizing the importance of allowing her the space to create.
The two have developed an understanding of each other's movements, helping them identify where the ball needs to go and how they can best support one another.
"I think we kind of just move off of each other and what's needed for the team," Ijeh said.
That connection reflects the adaptability Ijeh has developed throughout her career. Having played in different leagues and alongside different types of players, she has learned to adjust her approach while remaining focused on what benefits the team.
As she continues to settle into the NWSL, that versatility will remain an important part of her game.
A football family and a balanced approach
Ijeh's connection to soccer began long before her professional career. Her father played professional football and represented Nigeria internationally, while her mother experienced the demands of the game from a different perspective by supporting her father's career.
Growing up in that environment helped Ijeh understand both the excitement and the challenges that come with professional soccer.
Having younger siblings who also play or have played the game has further strengthened that connection. For Ijeh, being surrounded by people who understand the demands of pursuing a career at the highest level has been a significant source of support.
She credits her family with helping her find a balance between the different sides of the sport and providing a foundation that continues to support her career.
That sense of balance also shows up in her daily routine.
Unlike players who spend the entire day anticipating kickoff, Ijeh tries not to think too much about game day until it is time to prepare for the stadium. She prefers to keep things simple, whether that means taking a walk, stretching, listening to music or speaking with family.
The goal is to remain calm before gradually shifting her focus toward the physical and mental demands of the match.
Away from soccer, Ijeh enjoys drawing, painting and journaling. She has recently started crocheting, too, although she admits she has not made much progress yet.
Reading her Bible, visiting cafes for the atmosphere, shopping with teammates and exploring North Carolina are other ways she spends her free time.
Despite not drinking coffee, she still enjoys the cafe experience, particularly the opportunity to spend time in a different environment.
For Ijeh, finding activities away from the pitch is part of maintaining a healthy balance while navigating the demands of professional soccer.
Looking ahead with the Courage and Sweden
With experience across multiple leagues and an impressive scoring season in Italy behind her, Ijeh's next challenge is continuing to develop her game with the Courage while earning more opportunities on the international stage.
Representing Sweden has been an honor, and she hopes to build greater consistency in her international appearances. She recognizes that playing time is not entirely within her control, but she remains focused on making the most of every opportunity.
At club level, she wants to see both herself and the Courage become more consistent in their performances as they work toward their future goals.
Her ambitions also extend to Sweden's international future. With the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil on the horizon, Ijeh emphasized that qualification must come first, keeping the immediate focus on the matches in front of the national team.
It is a measured approach that mirrors how she handles game day: remain grounded, prepare for the next challenge and take things one step at a time.
For a player whose career has already crossed borders and brought her into new footballing cultures, that mindset has helped her adapt and grow.
Now, in North Carolina, Ijeh has an opportunity to continue that progression. Her historic hat-trick, her confidence in her own abilities and her growing understanding with her teammates offer glimpses of what she can bring to the Courage.
And while the goals and milestones will continue to define her performances on the pitch, the experiences she has collected along the way have helped shape a player who understands that development is about more than scoring.
It is about learning, adapting and finding the balance to keep moving forward.
