Trinity Rodman and NWSL Stars Don’t Need Million-Dollar Moves to Europe According to Olympic Gold Medalist

Let’s be honest—Europe is no less than a mecca for all soccer players. With some of the most iconic clubs to unprecedented competitions, there’s something in its air that compels everyone to play at least once in their career. But Emily Fox thinks otherwise, insisting it’s not a ‘must-have move’ to make while citing the example of her fellow USWNT star teammates who are donning the NWSL.

This is coming from a player who herself didn’t let the opportunity slip away from her hands. After playing for her college team, North Carolina Tar Heels, the defender got drafted into the NWSL by Racing Louisville as a first-overall pick in 2021. Two years at Kentucky saw her make a return to North Carolina, only to play for a year with Courage. It was just last year, she decided to make things international by signing for Arsenal.

And by decided, we mean finally making her dream come true, not something she did to enhance her resume. “I feel like everyone’s position and choice is different,” began Fox during an exclusive interview with ESPN FC. “For me, I always wanted to do it. It was always on my mind, something that I never really didn’t think I wasn’t going to do.”

Emily believes it’s not a hard and fast rule for others to do the same. Specifically addressing the recent wave of NWSL stars moving to European counterparts, the 26-year-old mentioned her fellow national teammates who are doing more than well within America. “But I do think you talk about Soph [Smith] and Trin [Rodman] killing and have been killing it in the NWSL. So I don’t think it’s a must-have move to get to the next level,” said Fox.

Yet, one can’t deny the benefits of playing in a foreign land, especially a place like England. Even though it has been around a year since Emily joined the Gunners, she is already noticing a change in her game. “For me, I’ve been pushed in so many ways. And I do think going abroad, playing in WSL, and playing for Arsenal did that,” concluded Fox.

Not surprising. Evidently, a move to England giants has surely proved favorable for the right-back. And it looks like for the time being, she is set in North London for the foreseeable future. The same, however, cannot be said for her own nation’s veteran, who is rather desperate to call it quits in Europe.

USWNT veteran is ‘Itching’ to make a comeback to NWSL

Sofia Huerta is also one of the players who is enjoying her stint in Europe. The right-back has been on loan at Lyon from the Seattle Reign since 2024. But the defender isn’t planning to extend her stay with the French giants. Instead, she is eager to return to the States. “I’ll be back in the summer. I’ve been in the NWSL for so long and I’ve loved that I have seen the evolution and the growth of the NWSL,” she said on The Women’s Game podcast while speaking with Sam Mewis.

Notably, even if Huerta returns in June, she won’t be able to play for the Reign until the transfer window opens in August. However, when she does, she has vowed to “up the level” of her team and strive to win as much as possible. Sofia also emphasized that she will bring valuable experience and lessons from her time in Europe. “I’ll take a lot from being here. I’m definitely happy that I came here. But I am itching to come back to Seattle,” added Sofia.

One is keen to excel in Europe while the other is keen to make a return to NWSL. But we would like to know what would be your preference.