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Jeff Kassouf
Just as the deal for forward Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea from Angel City FC was finalized, U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes was addressing the NWSL‘s board of governors in New York.
Hayes was aware that some executives within the NWSL hinted at her advising USWNT players to pursue opportunities in Europe. Thompson’s transfer, fueled by Chelsea’s aggressive interest, reignited longstanding whispers and created a wave of anxiety among NWSL stakeholders.
Addressing the board, Hayes recalled her earlier advice shared publicly: “In the absence of communication, there is usually the wrong sort of conversation.”
In a meeting with league owners and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, Hayes posed the critical question: Why would I take away the freedom of choice that women’s soccer players have fought for their entire lives?
The urgency with which Hayes tackled this issue highlights concerns within the NWSL about the loss of elite USWNT talent to top-tier European clubs—a significant worry as the landscape of women’s soccer continues to evolve globally.
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Changes for USWNT Players
As Hayes mentioned, players can now sign contracts wherever they choose.
A decade ago, this wasn’t entirely realistic for players hoping to be regulars on the USWNT. However, the enactment of full free agency in the NWSL’s new collective bargaining agreement has changed that landscape. Together with the removal of U.S. Soccer-backed contracts for national team players in the NWSL, USWNT players now enjoy the freedom to play both domestically and internationally.
Last week, Hayes emphasized this freedom, noting her commitment to meet players at their life stages whenever they discuss their club prospects.
“My responsibility as a coach is to listen, support, and guide, considering each player’s unique needs,” Hayes stated. “Typically, players arrive at their decisions and seek my guidance on how best to prepare for that.”
This was the case for Thompson’s transition to Chelsea, as both she and Hayes confirmed.
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Keogh: Thompson to Chelsea a ‘big loss’ for the NWSL
Emily Keogh discusses USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson’s move to Chelsea from Angel City.
Thompson expressed her ambition to challenge herself with what she called “her dream team” in her initial interview with Chelsea. Hayes aimed to ensure Thompson was aware of the implications of the move, including leaving her sister, Gisele, her club and national teammate. Hayes expressed greater concern for Thompson than herself over the transition.
The last few years have seen major shifts in where American players choose to play. The first key factor is the increased willingness of top clubs from Europe and the NWSL to invest substantially in player transfers. This year alone has seen all six transfers exceeding $1 million, primarily involving European and NWSL teams. As European clubs intensify their investment, an increasing number of players are opting to move across the Atlantic.
Secondly, U.S. Soccer’s decision to withdraw from the NWSL’s operations has had significant ramifications. Prior to 2022, USWNT players were contracted through U.S. Soccer for their NWSL participation, making them the highest earners in the league. This arrangement was designed to retain USWNT talent in the NWSL, which was founded and run by U.S. Soccer until 2021. During the 2015 and 2019 World Cup campaigns, all players in the squads were based in the U.S. (Abby Wambach lacked a club during the 2015 World Cup).
Former USWNT striker Christen Press has shared how her early international career was curtailed in 2014 by U.S. Soccer’s directive to play in the NWSL if she wished to represent the national team.
USWNT midfielder Lindsey Heaps reiterated last week a sentiment long acknowledged: “When I returned to the U.S. from PSG in 2016, it was influenced by a discussion with former coach Jill [Ellis]. At that time, participating in the NWSL was essentially a necessity for national team inclusion.” At a young age, Heaps had aspirations to secure a spot on the 2016 Olympic team.
However, the new CBA ratified in 2022 compensates USWNT players exclusively based on their national team call-ups and appearances, leading to a more competitive player pool uninhibited by contractual constraints. This shift also alters the power dynamics between U.S. Soccer and NWSL franchises.
As one NWSL general manager told ESPN confidentially, “NWSL teams used to rely on the federation for USWNT player salaries. Now, the roles have reversed, with NWSL teams making substantial investments in players.”
USWNT Players Tempted by European Opportunities
The trend of top USWNT athletes migrating to Europe isn’t new. Figures like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan joined Lyon in 2013 and 2017 respectively, earning more during a month than what many of their NWSL counterparts made in an entire season (the NWSL’s minimum wage upon its launch in 2013 was $6,000).
Throughout the NWSL’s history, some players have pursued opportunities in Europe. While some, like Christen Press, sought to revive their international careers, others like Rapinoe and Morgan embraced the chance to step outside their comfort zones for lucrative contracts during their prime years. More recently, Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis transferred to Manchester City following their standout performances in the 2019 World Cup.
The rare example of a young American bypassing college soccer to make the leap to Europe is embodied by Heaps, who moved to Paris Saint-Germain at 18 in 2012.
Historically, the migration of USWNT players to Europe has followed a cyclical pattern, often occurring after a major tournament like the World Cup or Olympics—the down phases of a four-year cycle. Both Girma and Thompson made similar transitions, signing long-term contracts with Chelsea. Longer contract durations are a growing trend in women’s soccer, leading to a significant increase in transfer fees globally, which have surged to over $12 million within just two years.
Ideally, Hayes and Heaps mentioned that changing clubs during a World Cup year is not preferred for maintaining a stable environment, though this is not a strict rule.
“There’s so much to consider,” Heaps elaborated to reporters last week. “Everyone’s situation is unique; comparisons may not be valid. Sharing experiences—what worked or didn’t—is valuable, and it’s critical to be transparent.”
As we look at the current landscape, the lucrative and record-breaking transfer offers at top European clubs remain accessible only to the elite 1% of players.
USWNT defender Naomi Girma transferred from San Diego Wave FC to Chelsea in November for the inaugural $1 million transfer. Thompson followed suit in September with a $1.4 million transfer. Both players have emerged as top talents in the women’s game. Lily Yohannes represents another bright prospect, having played in Europe for several years and now teaming up with Heaps at Lyon and alongside the USWNT.
Numerous NWSL general managers have indicated that the demand for top-tier global talent, American included, remains largely concentrated among a select number of European clubs. One GM described this exclusive circle of substantial investors as mainly comprising UEFA Champions League quarterfinalists. Over the last decade, the distinctive group of European clubs competing fiercely in the market largely remains unchanged, with storied clubs like OL Lyonnes and Chelsea leading the charge.
These clubs are consistent contenders in the Champions League, which serves as a critical motivator in players’ choices. For many Americans, influenced by the stature of their male counterparts, winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League represents the pinnacle of club achievement.
Yohannes transitioned to OL Lyonnes this summer after an impressive season at Dutch club Ajax.
“Lyon is a prestigious club I’ve admired for a long time,” Yohannes noted last week ahead of a match for the USWNT in Chester, Pennsylvania. “The opportunity to join them was thrilling. Their vision for me, combined with their playing style, aligns perfectly with my abilities. It’s an incredible club filled with world-class players, which influenced my decision significantly.”
Currently, NWSL teams lack any competition that rivals the stature of the UEFA Champions League—Concacaf’s equivalent is still in its infancy. Various personal factors also play a role, including the appeal of experiencing different cultures abroad.
USWNT defender Emily Fox expressed her desire for a new experience when she left the NWSL for Arsenal in early 2024, seeking the cultural differences and grand stadiums of London. Just over a year later, she played a critical role in Arsenal’s unexpected UEFA Champions League success.
However, not all transitions to Europe yield success. Jenna Nighswonger departed NJ/NY Gotham FC for Arsenal post-Olympic gold medal win but has faced challenges securing first-team minutes. Similarly, USWNT veteran Crystal Dunn has struggled to establish herself in Paris Saint-Germain’s starting lineup.
Can the NWSL Retain Its American Talent?
Individual player aspirations and preferences are steadfast and cannot be dictated. The allure of cities like Paris and London will always remain—offering both an appealing lifestyle and exciting professional prospects.
There’s a consensus that exposure to varying playing styles benefits players, especially as World Cups approach. Heaps, while acknowledging the distinct circumstances of each player, believes that experiencing diverse cultures during their careers is advantageous. Hayes also frequently discusses the merits of the UEFA Champions League, recently acknowledging Portugal for its victory over the USWNT.
Nonetheless, the recent departures of Thompson and Girma to Chelsea have rekindled discussions surrounding the NWSL’s salary cap, which will persist until at least 2030, as stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement signed last year. The cap will increase from a base of $3.3 million this year ($3.5 million with revenue sharing) to $5.1 million by 2030.
One NWSL general manager expressed concern to ESPN that “more dominoes could fall” in the next transfer window. Thompson, both a top player and a rising star off the field, represented a significant loss for the league. Trinity Rodman, arguably the NWSL and USWNT’s most prominent star, will also be out of contract at the end of the year.
League executives are increasingly worried that the salary cap won’t grow proportionally with the global market, which could hinder NWSL teams’ competitiveness. The phasing out of allocation money—a previously used mechanism to exceed the cap—is also a concern.
While some have discussed the possibility of implementing a designated player rule to compensate premier players outside the cap, no clear plans have materialized thus far.
The salary cap poses a particular frustration for the most ambitious NWSL franchises, many of which feel their aspirations of becoming the top club in the world are unattainable within a capped system—a concept foreign to their European counterparts. If the NWSL struggles to lure top global talent, maintaining its reputation as the world’s best league will be a challenge.
In a media roundtable following September’s board meeting, Berman reassured ESPN that “NWSL clubs can still be the best in the world within a salary cap framework.”
“I truly believe we can be both: the best league in the world and host the best club because we possess the right infrastructure, investment, and operational model where our teams and owners collaborate as business partners,” she declared.
Yet the rapidly changing global economy continues to test this assertion. Transfer fees have spiked dramatically, with the record doubling in about 18 months, and experts—including team executives and agents—expect this trend of increasing expenditure to persist. This presents a unique challenge for the NWSL, which has a defined salary cap for the next five years, aside from revenue-sharing adjustments.
This, however, is a challenge for the NWSL to confront. Although the league and federation maintain their partnership, the concerns of the NWSL are no longer directly tied to those of the USWNT. What Hayes and her expanding pool of talent require are clubs that will help nurture their growth, irrespective of location.
“The great thing about the women’s game today is the abundance of opportunities available for players,” Hayes emphasized. “Our goal is for the USWNT to excel as the best team in the world and strive for playing in the best environments. Ideally, that would include the NWSL, but ultimately, the choice lies with the players.”
Each player must navigate her path, and today, the options available are more diverse than ever.