2023-07-28 21:32:23
The stars are from all over the world, but there is a common place in their formation.
According to data from The Associated Press and the NCAA, of the 736 players competing in the Women’s World Cup, 137 have roots in American college soccer.
And no, contrary to what might be assumed, the United States is not at the top of the list. That post is for Canada.
In the maple leaf team, 22 of the 23 members played or play in American university teams, including Christine Sinclair, holder of the record for goals with her national team (record for men and women) and who played at the University of Portland.
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The United States ranks second with 20 players with NCAA roots. Megan Rapinoe, one of the flags of the Stars and Stripes team -and of women’s soccer in the world- also played in Portland.
Other American figures, such as Alyssa Thompson, Trinity Rodman and Lindsey Horan, turned professional without playing a single game at the college level.
The work of the universities of the United States is reflected in the maximum event
More than 70 US universities are represented at the World Cup, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand.
Florida State leads with eight players in the competition; Stanford and North Carolina each have six, and Penn State has five.
Other schools, which are not among the most successful programs in American sports, have welcomed figures from other countries who also compete in the World Cup.
Such are the cases of Hilary Jaen, from Panama, who plays for Jones County Community College in Mississippi; Carleigh Frilles of the Philippines is a midfielder at Coastal Carolina, and Argentine forward Chiara Singarella plays for South Alabama.
Jamaica’s Jody Brown was named CONCACAF’s best young player at 16 and now plays for Florida State.
“The coaches helped us,” Brown told the AP. “I feel like college prepared me for this moment as well, and I’m so grateful for that and the work I’ve put in to get to this point, because it was all worth it.”
European giants trust the American method for their players
Women’s soccer powerhouses such as Germany and Sweden have begun sending their young players to the United States, despite having their own development programs. In 2021, for example, there were 114 players from Sweden and 128 from Germany in American schools.
In that same year, in addition, the NCAA universities had 38 players from New Zealand, 35 from the Netherlands, 16 from Japan and five from South Africa.
The United States seeks the three-time world championship in Australia and New Zealand. Its success has undoubtedly permeated worldwide and many other countries are interested in learning the system.
Sending your future stars to American soil is the first step.
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