Not many people had a better start to 2023 than Bay FC defender Sydney Collins.
That January, the North Carolina Courage selected her 8th-overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft thanks to a standout collegiate career at the University of California, Berkley. In February, Collins received her first-ever call-up to the Canadian Women’s National Team and debuted against France that April.
With six international appearances (four starts) for Canada and 10 appearances (two starts) for the Courage, the young defender was primed for a breakout season in 2024, for both club and country. When she was named to Canada’s preparation camp, Collins’ professional dreams felt tangible.
Then came the setbacks.
In February 2024, she fractured her right leg. Then, after making a recovery in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics that July, she went down with a left leg fracture a week before Canada’s opening match of the group stage.
Instead of celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, everything seemed to vanish in a single moment.
“Anyone that goes through a long term injury, like I’ve been through the last couple of years, definitely has a big lesson in patience,” said Collins. “So that’s definitely a word that I have been trying to hold on to.”
Collins has faced different challenges in every step of her recovery journey. However, her official return to the field would take every ounce of her mental fortitude.
“The last couple of years, it has definitely taken a village,” Collins said. “Whether it was my family that I relied on a lot, my sports psychologist or resources from the clubs I have been a part of, it takes a lot of people to get someone not only healthy, but through rehab process multiple times.”
After grinding nonstop physically and mentally for over 12 months, Collins made her return to the pitch for the North Carolina Courage on July 25 in a friendly against Liga MX Femenil’s Chivas de Guadalajara.
“There were definitely times I didn’t know if I was going to be able to be back on the field,” Collins said. “I’m so thrilled to be back, not only in practice, but in games. And I feel like I have a perspective shift after having gone through those injuries, and just so appreciate anything that I can be.”
Collins learned many valuable lessons during her recovery, with none more important than the shift in perspective, leading her to lean on unmatched resilience and resolve.
Last August, Collins — a native of Beaverton, Oregon — returned to her adopted home region: the California Bay Area. The defender joined Bay FC as the club traded away $60,000 in 2025 intra-league funds for the defender. Less than a week later she signed a massive extension through 2027 with a team option for 2028.
She has found joy in playing soccer again, but this time closer to home.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Collins said at the time. “The change of scenery for me, coming back here. Being close to friends and family and a part of Bay FC… It has allowed this new chapter for me to really find joy again in the game, and kind of put the injuries behind me.”
Collins’ return to the pitch has been vital for Bay FC. Soon after the move, Head Coach Albertin Montoya named her the team’s starter at right center back. She has now made five appearances (four consecutive starts) for the club.
“It has been really special to get back on the field after so long,” Collins said. “During some of those valleys of the rehab process, this has been the light at the end of the tunnel. And so I’m just really to be healthy again and to be playing for Bay FC. I just love being a part of this team.”
One day, Collins will likely live out that same dream that seemed so close ahead of the 2024 Olympics. She’ll eventually play on the biggest international stages. But, for now, Collins will continue to star for her home club, while playing in front of all her friends, family, and loved ones.
Sydney Collins’ career thus far has been anything, but typical. At every stop she’s had to face an obstacle and overcome it – each time she got up and won. After all the daunting trials and tribulations, she is finally where she belongs: having fun and playing the sport she loves.