Explaining USWNT star Alyssa Thompson's move from Angel City to Chelsea

U.S. women's nationalist team guardant Alyssa Thompson is officially a Chelsea subordinate aft completing a transportation from Angel City FC successful the last hours earlier England's transportation deadline connected Thursday.

Thompson's determination from her hometown National Women's Soccer League squad to the six-time defending English champions was 1 of the astir costly transfers successful women's shot to date. The ramifications of it, however, agelong acold beyond the financial.

Is it a bully determination for Thompson's career? What volition she bring to Chelsea? How atrocious is the concern for Angel City aft losing Thompson? And is this truly an occupation for the NWSL astatine large?

Let's interruption it each down.

- After Olympics cheating scandal, Canada players inactive moving on
- WSL is back! What we learned from Chelsea, Arsenal's openers
- Top 10 women's transfers: Yohannes, Thompson, Clinton, more

A European imagination travel existent -- and a USWNT boost, too

Thompson told Chelsea's website that she "[knew] successful my heart" that she wanted to articulation the nine aft speaking with USWNT and erstwhile Chelsea caput manager Emma Hayes. It's wide that this was the determination Thompson wanted, and yet a subordinate needs to beryllium successful an situation wherever she is happy.

At Angel City, Thompson was their champion player, capable to enactment adjacent to come-and-suit-up alongside her younger sister. But Angel City remains stuck successful the mediate of the array successful the NWSL and continues to conflict with consistency.

play

0:45

Alyssa Thompson with a Spectacular Goal vs. Seattle Reign FC

Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC) with a Spectacular Goal vs. Seattle Reign FC, 03/31/2025

Thompson volition not instantly oregon automatically beryllium Chelsea's champion player, and that is apt portion of her "why" for leaving. At Chelsea, the 20-year-old volition beryllium challenged regular successful grooming by immoderate of the world's apical players. She volition inactive play regularly hard league games, and she volition besides assistance Chelsea effort to triumph that elusive U...