7 American Players’ Inspiring Journeys to Play Abroad
Every soccer player knows that soccer is the world’s favorite game. And while we love the USWNT and the NWSL, there’s a world of other leagues to tune into. Take a look at which American players are currently playing abroad.
If your interested in following international soccer leagues, check out Forza Football. Forza allows you to track different teams and leagues with news, match info, live scores, and more.
Lindsey Horan
Though normally a dominant power for the Thorns, Horan is currently on loan in France. This season she will be a member of Olympique Lyonnais, one of the most dominant teams in the French women’s league.
This is not her first time playing abroad, or even in France. In fact, Horan chose to play for Paris St-Germain over going to college at the University of North Carolina.
It should surprise no one that Horan has been a boon for Olympique this season. She’s an asset everywhere she goes. Horan will remain in France through next summer. We’re sure the Thorns miss her as much as we do!
Catarina Macario
Olympique has another player on this list with all-around offensive player Catarina Macario. Macario is having a big year, having just this past year been brought up to the main squad of the USWNT and starting her first year with Olympique.
Even though Macario suffered an ACL tear at the end of the Champions League season, she is only 22 and already has quite the career behind her, with much, much more to come. Born in Brazil and a graduate of Stanford, Macario has been hailed by TopDrawer, ESPN, and is the recipient of the MAC Hermann Trophy.
Heather O’Reilly
Now retired from the USWNT, where she made a huge name and legacy for herself, Heather O’Reilly is now playing in Ireland. In 2019 it seemed like O’Reilly was ready for retirement and stepped away from NC Courage to become an analyst for Fox Sports. But the draw for the world’s favorite game was too strong, and O’Reilly is now a winger for Shelbourne of the Women’s National League.
This move fulfills a career-long dream for O’Reilly of playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. And icing on the cake, O’Reilly scored a match-winner for her team last month.
Katelin Talbert
Katelin Talbert’s journey to playing abroad has been long, winding, and inspiring. Originally from Sacramento and a former keeper for Humboldt State University, Talbert attended NWSL training camps rather than initially signing with an international team.
When the pandemic hit and her dreams seemed out of reach, Talbert fell into a hard mental space, but she didn’t give up. Despite the state of the world and mental health struggles, Talbert put herself back in the game, got back to training and took care of her mind and body. In the end, it all paid off.
In 2021 Talbert signed with an Icelandic team in the second-division Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðarn. Her time there opened several doors for her, in addition to playing professionally and internationally. Talbert trained for a time with West Ham United, but when she was unable to sign in England, Portugal came calling. Talbert is now keeping for the Campeonato Nacional Feminino championship team Benfica and is stronger than ever.
Kaylan Marckese
Kaylan Marckese is another American keeper who has had soccer whisk her all over the world. Marckese began her professional career at Gotham FC in the NWSL, but when she was there, it was called Blue Sky FC.
She then went to Iceland to spend a year with Selfoss, which led her to HB Koge in Denmark. Marckese had a wonderful two seasons in Denmark, and then Arsenal entered the chat. Arsenal has yet to kick off their 2022-23 season, but these upcoming games are sure to put Marckese to the test in the net.
Celeste Anais Boureille
Another American player who is no stranger to international play, Celeste Anais Boureille, is from San Francisco but played most of her professional career abroad.
Starting in 2014, the midfielder began in Iceland as a member of Selfoss. After a season there, she returned stateside for five years with the Portland Thorns before finding herself on a season-long loan to Canberra United and three seasons to Brisbane Roar, both of the Australian W-League.
After a third loan season with Fleury in France, she returned to Portland for one last season. She is now a member of Montpellier in Division 1 Feminine.
Shea Connors
Originally from Connecticut, Shea Connors’ career has followed a similar trajectory to others on this list. After finishing her collegiate career with St. John’s University, she signed with the Icelandic team KR. From there, the forward spent some time in Australia and in several different leagues.
In the last two years, Connors has gone from Logan Lightning in 2019, to Brisbane Roar and then back to Logan Lightning in 2020, and then Lions FC in 2021, before landing back on Brisbane Roar, where she remains for this coming season. Quite the journey from this East Coast woman!
Featured image via Getty Images
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