Friday, September 6th was not a slow news day in the NWSL.
Leading the notables are the addition of two new league front office hires, retired New Zealand international Sarah Gregorius for the role of “Senior Director, Sporting” and Karla Thompson as the new “Director of Youth Development”.
The top player-related headline is the departure of French midfielder Amandine Henry from the Utah Royals.
Here are the rest of the notables:
- Kansas City Current: Debinha extends through 2026, with option for 2027
- Houston Dash: Center back Natalie Jacobs extends through 2028
- Houston Dash: Austrian midfielder Sarah Puntigam signs on for two more years
- Orlando Pride: Back-up goalkeeper McKinley Crone extends through 2026
- Utah Royals: Nigerian forward Ifeoma Onumonu Released
NWSL Expands Sporting functions with addition of Sarah Gregorius and Karla Thompson
From the press release:
Reporting to Chief Sporting Director Tatjana Haenni, the pair will play pivotal roles in enhancing the league’s competitive framework and elevating sporting standards across key areas including athlete performance and wellbeing, youth development and player pathways and club operations.
The league press release includes biographical summaries for Gregorius and Thompson (who was profiled in a 2020 U.S. Soccer feature).
Of the two new league front office hires — retired New Zealand international Sarah Gregorius in the role of “Senior Director, Sporting” and Karla Thompson as the new “Director of Youth Development” — the more interesting one is the creation of a youth development point person as that area has not been a focus for either the league or its clubs.
Regarding youth development, it is worth mentioning that the new collective bargaining agreement does appear to allow “limited amateur player agreements” (NWSL press release on the new CBA), but no official details regarding the scope and nature of such amateur contracts are available. For comparison, the USL Super League has amateur “academy” contracts which allow players to maintain their NCAA eligibility. The U.S. U-17 WYNT has one player, Molly Vapensky, who has an academy contract with the Carolina Ascent, but is expected to play for Duke University in 2025.
One area where clubs in the NWSL differ significantly from most professional clubs elsewhere in the world is the lack of training academies and well-integrated youth teams. This is partially due to how women’s soccer developed in the United States with college soccer being the keystone. Another significant factor has been the lack of profitability for the NWSL and prior women’s professional leagues. However, that seems to be changing, so between valuable media deals plus the increase in club investment, along with an increased focus on being the top women’s league, the addition of formal youth teams is probably a case of “when” and not “if”.
In the short-term, Thompson will likely be focused on the U-18 players in the league, but developing formal integrations between NWSL teams and youth clubs could be part of her (eventual) duties. Initially, this would not have to be youth teams operated by NWSL clubs. Partnerships with a local youth club could be a first step. NWSL clubs could even subsidize specific amateur players by paying their youth club fees, et cetera.
Utah Royals: French midfielder Amandine Henry released
Henry and the Royal agreed to a “mutual termination of contract”. Henry, who turns 35 at the end of September, was acquired in late April by the Royals from Angel City. (September 6th press release) Prior to the Olympics, Henry started every match that she appeared in for the Royals.
Henry will likely look for a playing opportunity in Europe.
The French international was a member of France’s squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She has not announced a retirement from international soccer, so she is likely looking to make France’s roster for the 2025 Women’s Euro.
Kansas City Current: Debinha extends through 2026, with option for 2027
On Friday, the Current announced that the club and Brazilian forward Debinha “have agreed on a new contract through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027.” (September 6th press release)
Debinha has 14 regular season appearances this year, netting only 1 goal plus 2 assists. She also appeared in all 4 of the Current’s Summer Cup matches, scoring 4 goals, including one against her old team, the North Carolina Courage. (NWSL stats)
Houston Dash: Center back Natalie Jacobs extends through 2028
On Friday, the Dash announced that Jacobs has signed a new four-year contract, which should keep the 27-year-old center back in Houston through the 2028 NWSL season. (September 6th press release)
Jacobs is a regular starter for the Dash, appearing in 14 league matches and all 3 of the Dash’s Summer Cup matches this year.
She first joined the Dash in 2022 as a National Team Replacement player following a stint in Spain with Real Betis Féminas. Jacobs was originally drafted by the Washington Spirit in 2020. At the end of 2022, she signed a two-year contract with the Dash (2022 press release)
Houston Dash: Austrian midfielder Sarah Puntigam signs on for two more years
Puntigam, who is Austria’s most capped player, joined the Dash during the 2023 season. The new contract would keep Puntigam with Houston through the 2026 NWSL season. (September 6th press release)
Puntigam, who turns 32 in October (Wikipedia bio), has an American spouse, Genessee Puntigam, who is an assistant coach for Rice University’s women’s soccer team. (RiceOwls.com bio)
Orlando Pride: Back-up goalkeeper McKinley Crone extends through 2026
Crone, who was born and raised in the Orlando area, appeared in match for the Pride, a Summer Cup match where she only allowed 1 goal and stopped 2 attempts during the penalty shootout.
Crone first joined the Pride in 2023 as a temporary National Team Replacement player. During the 2024 preseason, she was a non-roster invitee and later signed a one-season contract. (September 6th press release)
Utah Royals: Nigerian forward Ifeoma Onumonu Released
On Friday, the Royals also announced “the mutual parting of ways with” Onumonu. She was originally acquired via a trade with Gotham FC. (September 6th press release)
The 30-year-old Onumonu only featured in 5 regular season matches for the Royals this year, all as a substitute. (NWSL stats) Per the press release, “A nagging ankle injury and multiple Nigerian Women’s National Team call ups limited Onumonu’s” availability this year.
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