Americans abroad: Core USWNT players leave NWSL to head overseas

The NWSL's former allocation system for US, Mexican, and Canadian national team players, the opportunity to be seen/evaluated with more frequency by certain USWNT coaches, and the growing strength of a league full of promise and big names, have meant that the majority of USWNT players have historically stayed in the US to play their club soccer.

Meanwhile, the WSL is batting its eyelashes at the USWNT stars with its soft salary cap, which essentially translates to no salary cap for teams with powerhouse men's sides (Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, etc.). Yeah, if I were Naomi Girma, I too would trade pancakes for bangers and mash.

A world record-breaking 1.1 million dollar transfer fee saw Girma suiting up in Chelsea blue where she joins her friend and college/USWNT teammates Catarina Macario so they can wreak absolute havoc on opponents down the middle of the field.

Naomi Girma headlines a sizeable list of USWNT players dipping their toes in European waters including fellow recent transfers Crystal Dunn (PSG) and Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal).

Money is only half of what lures UWSNT players abroad

Money aside, these teams are elite. From their domestic leagues to the Champions League, these clubs win...a lot.

Current USWNT head coach and Chelsea's winningest coach, Emma Hayes, has also given her blessing to players choosing to go abroad.

If that's not enough, England has fun red telephone boxes, bank holidays, and David Attenborough, and France has an abundance of cheese and baguettes (though your professional soccer career might be cut short if your diet choices end there. But it's an option. Choice is yours). What's not to love about all that?

For the time being, Chelsea is feeling about as on top of the world as Ilona Maher post-Olympics, while the NWSL has "self-reflection" penciled into their agenda as they try to figure out how to remain competitive in a landscape where money is king.