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United States Karlie Lema is a professional soccer player recognized for her offensive capabilities, transitioning from a standout collegiate career to playing as a forward for Bay FC.
Karlie Lema signed a three-year contract through 2027 with an option for the 2028 season. This partnership marks her transition to professional soccer, and she is listed as a forward for the team.
Bay FC and PG&E teamed up to clean Arrowhead Marsh in Oakland in 2026. Karlie Lema, as a player for Bay FC, was involved in this community initiative.
Karlie Lema is an athlete managed by @wochmaker and @ericarbuzow, and she is an adidasfootball athlete.
Karlie Lema was mentioned by US Youth Soccer ODP as one of its high potential players.
Karlie Lema was named player of the match for RKC Third Coast FC in a game against Edgewater Castle, as highlighted in a social media mention of her performance.
Karlie Lema was born on June 29, 2003, in Morgan Hill, California. She began playing soccer at age ten, following an early engagement in track and gymnastics. Growing up with four siblings, Lema’s athletic background includes her father, Dave Lema, who played football at San Jose City College, and her mother, Annie Bergholz, who ran track at Northern Colorado. Lema played ECNL club soccer for MVLA Soccer Club and committed to the University of California, Berkeley, during her middle school years. She attended Live Oak High School, where she participated in track, volleyball, and soccer, earning the Blossom Valley Athletic League most valuable player award three times.
Lema was a four-year starter for the California Golden Bears. In her freshman season in 2021, she led the team with six goals in 18 games and was named to the Pac-12 Conference all-freshman team. Following hip surgery, she returned in her sophomore year, scoring five goals in 21 games. Her junior season saw her record four goals and a team-high four assists in 16 games, earning third-team All-Pac-12 honors. In her final collegiate season in 2024, Lema scored 16 goals and provided six assists in 21 appearances, which contributed to the Bears’ top-25 national ranking and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Her performance led to her being named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and receiving first-team All-ACC recognition.
Professionally, Lema signed a three-year contract with Bay FC on December 30, 2024, as a free agent. She made her professional debut on March 15, 2025, against Utah Royals and scored her first professional goal on March 22, 2025, against Racing Louisville. By October 4, 2025, she recorded her first career assist against Portland. Lema has also represented the United States at the U-15 and U-17 youth national team levels from 2018 to 2020. She scored a hat trick against Czechia in the 2019 UEFA Development Tournament and was called into the U.S. U-23 National Team Camp in October 2025, with further call-ups in February/March 2026 for training and friendlies.
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