This coming week may see the on-field return of two high-profile players who left the NWSL to play in Europe. Sam Kerr may see her Gotham debut this week at the Queen’s Classic, and Lindsey Heaps may make her first appearance for the expansion Summit this weekend.
Both return to a league that is different from the one they left.
While much of the discourse has been around players who are leaving the United States to pursue careers overseas, there still are plenty of players choosing to either play, or stay, in the NWSL.
Heaps and Kerr are coming back, Swanson and Rodman are staying, and the Thorns are working to keep Sophia Wilson in the fold.
To be sure, the losses of players like Sam Coffey, Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma were disappointing. The salary cap and convoluted HIP rule should be revisited.
But in the big picture, international player movement demonstrates that the choices for women are expanding — and that’s good for everyone.
With better pay and benefits across the board, players have more opportunities to look at things like learning new styles of play and living abroad. Others can consider quality of life issues in choosing to remain close to home.
Both Heaps and Kerr spoke about the difference between leagues, and how they feel about the quality of the NWSL. The fact that some players are heading overseas hasn’t diminished the league.
“It’s so crazy just how the game evolves, and you have different types of players, different type of coaches that are coming in. Some European coaches, some European players, international players,” Heaps said. “I’ve seen the football evolve in a really great way, where our league is so unique, it is, I believe, the most competitive league in the world. I don’t know if there’s a lot of leagues out there where like on any given day any team can win, and that makes our league very, very special. But now I see such a mixture of how teams are trying to play.”
Kerr echoed Heaps, pointing to the parity within the NWSL. In her experience with Chelsea, Chelsea often was expected to win.
But the style is also different, she said.
“I think the biggest differences are probably just the physical demands in the NWSL. You play during the summer, the games are, much, much more running, much more athleticism required. I think just one’s more physical and one’s more tactical,” Kerr said. “I think that’s why it’s good we have so many leagues in the world now, you get a bit of everything, no matter where you play. And I love the American-like star power and all of that, that goes with it, whereas in England, it’s more like the clubs run the run the roost. It’s just like totally two different football cultures, but I’m excited to be back in the NWSL. I enjoyed my time in the WSL, but I think it’s time for a change for me.”
Heaps and Kerr, with already well-established careers, have decided to return to the NWSL for more personal reasons. Heaps was raised in Colorado and has family there, and her husband works in the MLS. Kerr and Kristie Mewis are also closer to family with the move.
That’s in contrast to a player like Coffey, who wanted the new experience of living abroad and a chance to develop a new skillset. The growth of the game means both approaches are more accessible.
More movement is no doubt on the way. The free agency negotiating period opened in the NWSL earlier this month, with 126 players eligible, including Wilson, Rose Lavelle, Andi Sullivan and Marta.
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Links!
Alexia Putellas joins the London City Lionesses
Putellas spoke to The Athletic about her move
The tiny baseball field fiasco, revisited
Denise O’Sullivan is also returning to the NWSL
Cooper fined over cleats logo, union responds
The Guardian looks at Kerr’s move
Gotham will have a new home in 2028
Gotham’s move underscores the NWSL’s growth
Anna Gasper is headed to the Stars
Thorns acquire Dutch international Nina Nijstad
Mamdani announces $15 tickets for the Queen’s Classic
More investment in the Northern Super League
Vermont Green reaches the USL W championship game
Soccer: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer
Tennis: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer
Basketball: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports
Softball: Maren Angus-Coombs, @Maren-Angus, The IX Sports
Golf: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports
Hockey: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden
Gymnastics: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer
