Two-time World Cup Champions, Tobin Heath, and Christen Press are in talks to sign with Manchester United of the Women’s Super League.
Adding their names to the long list of NWSL players on loan as the US’s sports scene remains up in the air. Following teammates Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis, as well as many other NWSL features.
Both Heath and Press have experience overseas with Heath playing for Paris Saint-Germain from 2013-2014. Press, on the other hand, played for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC in Sweden in 2012. Then Tyresö FF (2013-2014), becoming the first American to win the Golden Boot in the history of the Sweden league—eventually returning to Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC in 2018.
Considering that both opted out of the wildly successful Challange Cup, they were the last that many expected to see. However, despite this Summer’s success, the rest of the year for the NWSL remains undetermined. And although teams restarted small group practice this week, there still seems to be little hope for any potential season.
The Exodus
This is leading many teams to turn to loans to keep players active for when the time arises with the most prominent being the Orlando Pride. Unable to compete in the Challenge Cup, the team lost a valuable chance for development. This left the club hungry to get their players as much experience as possible.
Pride executive vice president Amanda Duffy said. “Combining that with the uncertainty of the 2020 NWSL competition format… We immediately prioritized loan opportunities that would secure meaningful training and match environments for our players for the remainder of the year.”
Five players have already left on short-term loans. Defender Ali Riley returned to FC Rosengard in the Swedish Damallsvenskan. Where rookie Phoebe McClernon (D) will also play for Vaxjo. They will be joined by USWNT’s Emily Sonnet (D) who is heading to Press’ former team Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC. Brazilian International Camila (M) went to Palmeiras, and Candian bronze medalist Erin McLeod (GK) signed with Ungmennafélag Stjarnan in Iceland.
Australian, Alanna Kennedy (M), is also expected to go out on loan, according to reports from the Equalizer’s Jeff Kassouf making her the sixth. And many more loans are anticipated on top of the handful that has already occurred, with the OL Reign announcing the loan of Wales International, Jess Fishlock yesterday morning.
With so many heading overseas, one must wonder how much of an effect this will have on these foreign leagues. Many of whom have built their success off of the chemistry of their set rosters. Setting very intriguing seasons as each team adjusts to new faces within their own locker rooms and their competitors’.
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