Worldwide, women’s soccer has evolved in recent years, especially the pathway from college to pro soccer for young players in the United States. Up until recently, the norm was for players in the U.S. to play four years in college before turning to a professional career. This has changed, though, and we see more and more top prospects either skip college altogether or leave college early to join a professional team.
Lindsey Horan was the first American player to forgo a college scholarship and turn pro. She opted to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2012 instead of playing at UNC. Then in 2017, Mallory Swanson (nee Pugh) also decided to turn pro, joining the Washington Spirit. At the time, she became the youngest player in the NWSL. Ever since Swanson, though, quite a few players have elected to skip college.
Bigger and Better Opportunities to Turn Pro
The opportunities aren’t just in the NWSL, though. There are multiple leagues abroad that are attracting young players as well. In other countries, there isn’t college soccer. Instead, the expectation is that the top players will play professionally whenever the opportunity arises, and that’s what we’re starting to see more of here in the U.S. No longer do players have to play collegiately in order to thrive in…
