Mmmm while players do like signing with top teams, we've also heard multiple UEFA-based players who took a year or two in NWSL say they were drawn to that parity aspect - no game being a given is an exciting challenge to take on. So it definitely is a feature that's valued by players. (Besides, when parity is doing well, there are very few "bottom teams" to worry about.)
Sorry for necro-ing this thread while having nothing new to add about actual players' moves, but, since this was where @cpthomas had originally expressed interest for Hina Sugita, I wanted to ask him if he had already checked up this article (that recently surfaced on Nadeshiko Japan's thread) comparing Hina Sugita and Lindsey Horan. As a data-geek I figure he could like it.
Thanks for the link. Very good and interesting article, and I would say pretty much right on though acknowledging that the Thorns have not played many games yet. Something not mentioned in the article is speed of play. My observation so far is that Hina moves the ball more quickly than Lindsey, which is a plus in the attack. As a matter of interest, in the Thorns game v OL Reign last Friday, the fans included 300 representing various Japanese American organizations, there to cheer for Hina, with Japan flags waving. It was great and I think she really appreciated it. She definitely quickly has become an important player for the Thorns. Plus, for those who appreciate technical skill, she is a dream to watch.
Yes, we of course had the pictures on Nadeshiko Japan thread. Japanese players can seldom offer superior physical prowess, but technical skills use to be their trademark (that's especially noticed when they go abroad). Of course Hina is very technical even for Japanese standards.
In tennis, we say a player has soft hands, which means that the player can receive a shot, even a very hard one, and hit back a well placed, delicate return. Before seeing Hina, I never had thought in terms of a soccer player having soft feet. That is what she has made me think of.
Rumor wire: Lucy Bronze has apparently been considering a move Stateside after her contract with ManCity runs out. She was to go to a West Coast team, but her player rights are currently held by KC. Obviously she has the EURO to think about as well, so if she does come to the US, it might not be until 2023. (Sources: Telegraph Sports, Just Women's Sports)
I wouldn't say "most likely"... Remember, she has the Lyon connection as well. Plus Portland is always in the picture. Ask sources mention she's received offers from multiple NWSL teams.
A pair weeks ago she had been rumoured to have been contacted by Juventus, by I suppose NWSL is much more attractive than Italian League.
dunno if it was one long injury or a couple of short ones, but she didnt get much playing time last season at Arsenal, but only 3 starts out of 9 times in league play(289 mins out of an possibly season long 1980 mins), when she actually took to the field/2 out of 4 in the Champions League USA - T. Heath - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Women Soccerway feel she'll be on an reserve role for the Reign. Fron the little Ive seen the Reign play, they do take an awful lot of outside shots, so they definitely could use some of her 'penetration into the PB' moves. The Reign has also picked up Kim Little from Arsenal weeks ago, yet has stepped unot the field for them(su dunno wat happened to her?) there's some story that she just broke up with her boyfrined, Alphonso Davies($20 mill+ plus salary at Bayern Munich) so maybe that's why she wants to head back home(surprise she was the one unfaithful, lol) Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies confirms break up with girlfriend and PSG forward Jordyn Huitema | Daily Mail Online She had some impressive stats as an Canadian youth NT, but she far has flopped at the audlt stage(only 2 goals & very little playing time this last season for PSG), so possibly tryng to get back to play more familiar North American soccer than the often too technical style of the Euros?
Here's an earthquake: Ebony Salmon traded to Houston for allocation money! Nearly $200k passed hands here, and then Houston extended Salmon's NWSL contract by a year
I do not know her. But it sounds like she wasn’t playing much in Louisville. If that is accurate why would Houston need to pay so much for her?
It's accurate for this season, but that's missing the point somewhat. Last year she was the team's leading scorer despite only starting 14 games (had minutes in 20). This year, the team has added McDonald and Howell, so I guess Salmon has been rapidly pushed down the pecking order despite being an amazing player. Just watching her play in general (i.e. not even just watching her score) was one of the brightest spots of a rough expansion season. Honestly I'd pick her over McDonald
Salmon is 21-1/2 years old. She was Bristol City's offense 2019-2021. I watched her play on The FAPlayer - she is very good. From Wikipedia: "Salmon was Bristol City's highest goalscorer for the 2019–20 season, scoring five league goals and eight in all competitions as Bristol City avoided relegation after finishing the curtailed season in 10th place on points-per-game. She repeated the feat the following season, scoring 10 goals in all competitions including six in the league. However, Bristol City finished bottom and were relegated." I could not understand that she never featured at Louisville - I think injuries were one factor. With Nadim back, and seemingly well-connected with McDonald in the two games they played together, I think Louisville saw Salmon as a liquid asset. On the Dash, Daly is gone for the Euros and Prince for CONCACAF qualifying - they need depth up top.
If Ebony Salmon moving was an earthquake, it's probably only a M1/2 compared to this shakedown: Leroux traded to LA! Just a 2024 (not 2023???) first-round pick and $75-95k in allocation money
Insisting rumours here in Italy have tied for a quite long time Haley Bugeja, a 18 yo young Maltese star who played the last two seasons in Sassuolo and recently made top 3 in Goal's NXGN 2022 list (the next generation players in women's football), to NWSL. Now it looks like it's official that she will play in Orlando Pride. From what I've seen of her here in Italy, she's extremely talented; she's been injured for long in the last season, but now she should be back at the top of her form.
Well I hope her time in ORL is enjoyable, because that does seem to be NWSL's "problem team" at the moment...
Excitement in LOU has just been tempered quite a bit... https://www.safa.net/2022/07/11/ban...ow-as-thembi-kgatlana-is-ruled-out-of-wafcon/ That six-figure signing of Kgatlana is now delayed until early next year
Being last-placed in the league, North Carolina Courage sure need some help: it looks like they just signed the Golden Ball at U-17 WWC 2016, and U-20 WWC 2018's champion, Fuka Nagano, from Japan. Enjoy. 🚨 SIGNING NEWS 🚨The Courage have inked Japanese international midfielder Fuka Nagano through the 2022 season!Welcome to the squad, @GjamdjPi 👏#CourageUnitesUs— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) July 12, 2022