Former UWS Players Earn Contracts In Europe
As players look to settle for 2017, the reach is far from home as former UWS players take their talents abroad to continue chasing the game. The players with ties to UWS clubs are on their way to Europe as they were provided contracts for the remainder of the 2017 season.
Related Article: UWS Raises the Bar in Amateur Women’s Soccer
UWS Soccer News: Players are on the move, as post-collegiate and professional women soccer players look for clubs to provide their talents for the 2017 season.
Three players with former ties to United Women’s Soccer (UWS) clubs have found new teams as former New Jersey Copa F.C. forward Krystyna Freda, former Lancaster Inferno midfielder Sydney Blomquist and Real Salt Lake Women alum midfielder Stephanie Verdoia have signed on for professional teams in Europe.
Freda — the 2016 United Women’s Soccer Player of the Year, who recorded 15 goals and tallied three assists in 11 matches for the East Conference champions — has been offered a three-month trial with Apollon Ladies F.C. in Cyprus. ALFC won the Cypriot First Division on four consecutive occasions between 2009-2012 and competes in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” said Freda. “I have been looking to take that next step in my career, and when this came up I couldn’t refuse. Cyprus is beautiful and the team is excellent, so I think that it will help me immensely in my soccer career. I am going to look to improve my soccer skills and fitness while over there and become the best player I can be, as well as expand my cultural knowledge.”
For more information, click here for Freda’s full interview on the NJCFC website.
Blomquist suited up for Lancaster in 2014 and 2016, and was presented with an opportunity to play in Prague for SK Slavia (UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier). She had a successful trial but ultimately chose to join Swedish club Vasteras BK30 and helped them win promotion to the Elitettan. She has now signed on to play for Åland United of the Finnish Naisten Liiga for the 2017 campaign.
“Playing in Europe has been an amazing experience so far,” said Blomquist. “It has provided me with the opportunity to continue growing not only as a player, but also a person. I’m very grateful be to living out my dream as a professional footballer and seeing the world in the process.”
For more information, click here for Blomquist’s full Q&A on the Inferno website.
Verdoia is a Real Salt Lake Women alum who was drafted by the Boston Breakers of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the 4th Round of the 2015 NWSL Draft. She concluded Seattle University career as leader in goals (51) and points (132). Verdoia was recently waived by Boston after making 18 appearances over two seasons with the Breakers. The midfielder would find a new home quickly as she signed with Vifademene of Norway’s Toppserien.
For more information on Verdoia’s days with the Real Women, click here for a Q&A on the RSL website.
