Ahead of the SheBelieves Cup, Sam Coffey spoke to the media about her move to Manchester City and her feelings about speaking out on social issues.
Coffey joined Manchester City from the Portland Thorns in January, signing a 3 1/2-year contract. The transfer fee was worth more than $800,000.
She’s appeared in four Women’s Super League games for City since then.
“Sam is playing at the top of her game, and I think her decision to come here shows the incredible progress we’ve made as a club and the ambitions we have moving forward,” City director of football Therese Sjogran said.
Coffey says she’s adjusting to life abroad.
“I’m having a great time. It’s obviously a really big adjustment and a lot that’s different, both on the pitch off of it, just like the overall lifestyle, moving to a different country that I’ve never lived in before. But I’m really enjoying it and just trying to take it day by day and just enjoy the process of being there,” she said. “The girls have all been so welcoming, and the club has been amazing, and just helping me get set up and feel supported.”
Coffey was the 12th pick in the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League draft by the Portland Thorns.
She was passed over for the 2023 Women’s World Cup squad but Emma Hayes put her on the team that won the gold medal in Paris.
“They don’t make players like Sam Coffey anymore,” Hayes said at the time.
More recently, Hayes said she was excited for the different skills Coffey would learn abroad with City.
“It’s a really different league. It’s a really different style of play, I would say, and it
presents different challenges for me as a 6 and I think that was the whole reason why I did it, why I made the move, is to grow and develop and just like experience a completely different style of play than I was used to,” Coffey said. “I think I
just feel fortunate that I’ve gotten to play so many years in the NWSL, that like is
undoubtedly a top league in the world, and then now get to play in this league that just offers a completely different sort of set of challenges and a completely different style of play.”
Coffey has appeared in 42 games for the United States with five goals. She was not part of the starting lineup on Sunday when the U.S. played Argentina in the SheBelieves Cup opener.
Coffey was asked about the team’s history of speaking out about social justice issues by USA Today soccer writer Seth Vertelney. She gave a thoughtful answer.
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“I think it’s a really good question, and something I’ve been personally
wrestling with a lot lately, and what does that look like for this iteration of this team? Because, to your point, like we no longer have the Becky’s, the Klings, the Pinoes, the Alex Morgans, so many others to kind of look up to in those moments. I think it was easier as a younger player to just look up to them and know that they always knew kind of what to say or what to do. But now that responsibility is on us, and responsibility is the exact word, and I think we have a duty to this team and a standard to uphold.”
She added that one of the things she’s admired about the USWNT is its ability to be a “beacon of light in times of darkness” and advocate for the voiceless.
“I do think we’re still figuring out what that looks like for this iteration of the team. I think we do need to be better in the ways that we’re being vocal and standing up and speaking out about a myriad of topics,” Coffey said. But I think we can rest assured that we we are doing that work, and that we are going to figure it out and figure out what it looks like for us and what feels authentic to this team.”
The United States defeated Argentina 2-0 in the SheBelieves opener. Late in the game, Trinity Rodman went down after she was hit in the back — obviously a concern given her recent history. Hayes had no update following the match.
Links
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From The IX Soccer: Who didn’t make the USWNT roster and why
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Jonathan Tannenwald looked at Riley Tiernan and the new ESPN NWSL series
Atlanta’s NWSL team signs record jersey partnership with Aflac
NWSL and the BWPC celebrate Black History Month
Goal.com with a feature about the Boston Legacy
Equalizer with a story on Bev Yanez changing her approach
South Africa’s Desiree Ellis discusses Morocco’s investment in women’s soccer
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