By OkayGoal 
As European leagues start their new seasons, several USWNT players are back in action. While the NWSL claims many of the national team players, there is a growing number of players choosing to play overseas. There have been record-breaking transfers as more stars moved abroad, yet some of them are still trying to prove themselves. Being exposed to European soccer only helps them become more essential to the national team and Emma Hayes. Here is a check-in on USWNT stars abroad.
Jenna Nighswonger: Trying to Find a Place at Arsenal
Earlier this year, Nighswonger joined Arsenal, coming from Gotham FC in the NWSL. Early on, Nighswonger played some minutes as she was still getting used to her new team and the WSL. While many fans had hopes for her career with Arsenal, things aren’t looking too bright currently. Since the start of the new season, she hasn’t been able to make it into the match-day squad, which many see as an insult to her talent. While Arsenal is filled with stars, Nighswonger has to fight harder to make her way into the team. Perhaps she will start to play once she finds her footing. If that doesn’t happen soon, then we might see her on the move again.
Many have noticed her absence. “I need some clarity on what’s going on with Arsenal and Jenna. [She had] a good preseason, I’m hearing from people. [She’s] more than capable of playing at this level — she’s not even in the matchday squads. If she’s not injured, why did they deny her a loan move? Why would they do that? So, Arsenal, answer that. What are you doing with this girl and her career?” questioned Ian Wright.
Arsenal’s coach, Renee Slegers, also commented on her choice not to include Nighswonger. “It is a burden I have to carry. When the whole squad is fit we have so many options and I will only be able to start 11 players and change a maximum of five players. That’s the rules within the game that I have to work with, even though it hurts me. That’s the rules of the game and, at the end of the day, it’s my job,” she said, according to BBC.
Cat Macario: Returning After Injury to Chelsea and the USWNT
Cat Macario is starting to show people how good she is now that she has returned from injury. Her injury sidelined her for a long time, preventing her from playing for Chelsea and the USWNT. Now, she is making her way back and gaining her form more and more. On the club level, she is sometimes used as a starter and other times as a sub. The more she plays, the more it becomes clear that she is one of the USWNT’s successful players abroad. So far, she has played minutes in all of Chelsea’s matches in the league.
Hayes also knows Macario’s importance. “She’s a super footballer – she’s a great human and I knew bringing her to Chelsea, we would have to go backwards before we went forward. She’s valuable and highly influential for the [USWNT] as well so I’m excited to coach her at the international level too,” she said according to the Olympics’ official website.
Lily Yohannes: From Ajax to Lyon
Lily Yohannes is a player who had people’s eyes on her for a while. When she played for Ajax, everyone wondered whether she would choose the USWNT or the Netherlands. Once she made her choice and chose the former, Hayes made it clear that she appreciates her talent. Lyon also appreciates her, and that’s why they brought her in. She made an immediate impact upon arrival since she scored in her debut match. She was also named Player of the Match. Despite being a new addition, Yohannes has gained decent minutes so far at Lyon. At just 18, she showed that she can keep up with the pace at an elite team. Her success there will only benefit the USWNT more.
Lindsey Heaps: An Important Piece in Lyon’s Midfield
Another USWNT player who has been shining while abroad is Lyon’s Lindsey Heaps. In just three matches since the start of the league, Heaps managed to score two goals. Whether she plays the entire match or most of it, she leaves her impact on the game. Coaches depend on her to make transitions and move the game forward; she is good at that and more.
Alyssa Thompson: A New Beginning at Chelsea
In early September this year, all headlines talked about her blockbuster transfer to Chelsea. This season, Thompson is gaining some minutes as she gets used to the new environment. While she only played three games in the WSL, she is yet to score a goal or make an assist. These numbers will certainly come later on. Chelsea’s attacking line is packed with talent, but Thompson has what it takes to be a permanent addition. She could easily be considered one of the best wingers out there. It’s certain that the more she plays, the better she gets. With her being 20 years old, Chelsea definitely made the right choice.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: Manchester United’s Hero
Another USWNT player who has been having a great time abroad is Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce. With her talent, Joyce quickly managed to become Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper. In the matches she played in the WSL this season, she only conceded one goal. Her performance with her team earned her call-ups to the USWNT. She is a valuable player who adds more depth to Hayes’ goalkeeper options. As long as she keeps her great form, Tullis-Joyce will keep getting called to the national team. Manchester United also has a lot of trust in her. That was enough for them to renew her contract until 2028.
Emily Fox: Someone the USWNT and Arsenal Can Depend On
While some of the USWNT players abroad still didn’t book a permanent place for themselves, Arsenal’s Emily Fox has managed to do that. She has played in all the WSL games Arsenal has had this season. Her ability to play 90 minutes is something many fans are grateful for. She is someone you can depend on in the defensive line and her experience makes it hard to bench her. Her move overseas has been successful and has also helped with her development. Coaches trust her defensively and also trust that she can help offensively as well. Her exposure to European soccer was definitely a good thing.
Now in the new season, Fox wants to keep her performance at the top level. “I’m looking to maintain my levels with the defensive work I did last year and now contribute more going forward. It doesn’t necessarily mean goals and assists, but even that pre-assist or instinct to move play up the field,” she said.
Naomi Girma: Still Waiting for the Beginning
Naomi Girma’s move to Chelsea was one of the biggest transfers this year. In fact, when it first happened, her transfer broke the world record fee for a woman’s transfer back then. Everyone was waiting to see Girma impress fans at Chelsea, but sadly, this has yet to happen. During her debut match, Girma left the field with an injury. She also sustained a calf injury recently. This is why she hasn’t played any games in the new season of the WSL. While this is disappointing, there is no denying the fact that once Girma is fit again, she will be a constant presence in Chelsea’s team. A talent like hers is something that deserves patiently waiting for.
Playing for Chelsea and under Sonia Bompastor will only improve Girma’s abilities. She herself believes that she could learn a lot from the head coach. “I really wanted to develop as a player where I was moving to. To have a manager who played in defence always helps in terms of working on the littlest of things and tweaking certain things that just make us that little percentage better,” she told The Guardian.
Korbin Shrader: Playing For a New French Team
Another USWNT player who has been shining for Lyon is Korbin Shrader (formerly Albert). Since making the move from Paris Saint-Germain to Lyon, Shrader has only added depth to the team’s midfield. She is a good youth addition to a team that needs precise passing and the right amount of tempo. Shrader is still gaining minutes at Lyon, but it might not take long for her to become a regular starter. In one match during this season, she managed to score three goals and register an assist; all of this was against her former team. Hayes will definitely become delighted if Shrader’s performance in that game keeps repeating itself.
A Win for the USWNT
USWNT’s players performing well while abroad is something fans appreciate. The players get to play in more competitive leagues, and the more they play, the more they improve. While some players are still trying to find a place for themselves regularly, they will probably do just that with time. It helps that there are players who have already booked a permanent place for themselves on their teams’ rosters. European soccer has what it takes to make any player become the best version of themselves. This is something any national team would look for.
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