Concerns can be expected when multiple United States women’s national team players from the NWSL move abroad seeking other opportunities. It happened when Lyon signed Megan Rapinoe in 2013, Alex Morgan in 2017 and Lindsey Horan in 2022 first (on loan and then a full deal). So, too, when 2020 saw Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle join Manchester City, Tobin Heath and Christen Press head to Manchester United and Morgan join Tottenham Hotspur.
This cycle of discourse has returned in the current offseason, following Naomi Girma’s record-breaking move to Chelsea and Jenna Nighswonger’s move to Arsenal.
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Inside Naomi Girma’s move to Chelsea
It’s understandable to worry when a league’s best players leave en masse — but this is not time for the panic button.
In truth, what’s happening now is inevitable given the global growth of women’s soccer. It’s also a sign of growth for the NWSL, albeit more of a growing pain than a celebrated spurt. We’ve entered a new era with more viable opportunities, fostering a landscape that USWNT players are more freely navigating in hopes of remaining at the top of their game. But make no mistake: the NWSL still plays a vital role for domestic players and stars from other nations.
Naomi Girma moved to Chelsea this winter in…
