Mal Pugh has a new home and a new shoe deal, Dom Dwyer is officially a Yank and Carli Lloyd receives some English hardware.
The Mallory Pugh saga is finally over
We’ve been keeping track of the latest Mal Pugh news here at This week in U.S. Soccer for the last month. We now know what team she’ll play for and what boots she’ll be wearing.
After the 19-year-old USMNT regular decided to turn pro, many clubs, both domestic and foreign, got in line to sign her. Pugh seemed interested in playing for any of them but the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, who held her allocation rights.
So, naturally, she signed with the Washington Spirit. The winger/forward took part in her first practice with her new club on Tuesday and should see the field in her first professional match on Saturday against FC Kansas City.
Pugh was also being pursued by the worlds largest sport apparel manufacturers. It won’t come as a surprise that Nike won the Battle of the Big Brands, but it’s still a massive signing for the sportswear giant: Pugh is widely considered the most promising player in USWNT history.
It will be interesting to see what kind of start Pugh gets off to in the NWSL. She will be among the top two or three most talented players on the field — she’s certainly the most talented player on her own team — in every match. She has seen the highest levels of competition with the national team.
It seems like a safe bet that she’ll hit the ground running. Still, each new situation has its challenges, and every club has its own personnel and coaching dynamics.
With college in the rear-view mirror, and all of her focus on soccer, Pugh will only improve. Opposing defenders are probably already having nightmares.
Extras
Sporting KC striker Dom Dwyer — also known in some circles as the guy married to Sydney Leroux — is now eligible to play for the USMNT and head coach Bruce Arena is ready to give him a shot. Dude definitely scores goals; he already has five in this young MLS season. The striker position for the USA is fairly packed at the moment with Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood leading the way and Jordan Morris waiting in the wings. But Dwyer’s goalscoring ability can’t be ignored. Lord knows the USMNT can always use more of that.
Next: Premier League end-of-season awards
Carli Lloyd may only have a few matches left in England, but she won’t be going back to the States empty handed as the Manchester City Women beat the Birmingham City Ladies in the FA Women’s Cup Final on Saturday. Lloyd put her side up 3-0 with this well taken header:
Good news out of Germany as Fabian Johnson returned from injury to come on as a second-half sub for Borussia Monchengladbach on the weekend. This came on the heels of the 29-year-old extending his contract with the club through 2020. The Yanks will need the versatile player in good health for their upcoming busy summer.
See y’all next week.