Etwnt transmission classes: Record-infringing Girmal leads the way

The winter transfer window was another blockbuster drama for the US women national team players.

The etc. defender Naomi Girmala was the headline as the first women's football player who broke the transmission barrier of 1 million US dollars with her change from San Diego Wave FC to Chelsea.

But Girmal was not the only big step among US international players. Rising talents and well -known names changed the teams in this window, which is still open to the NWSL until March 24th.

Which US players did the best transfers? And which movements have brought more questions than answers? Let us immerse yourself.

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Naomi Girma (San Diego Welle an Chelsea)

Class: A+

Girmal Change to Chelsea was a significant victory for the best center back on the planet and the player, the US head coach Emma Hayes as “the best defender I have ever seen”.

Girmal had asked for a transfer of San Diego in the first half of 2024, the sources confirmed before. The wave had a catastrophic year on and off the field. After all the sales – output – they start from scratch from scratch from scratch.

This reconstruction could be a long, frustrating process and may not be the ideal place for an all-world center-back back that developed from her second World Cup in 2027.

Instead, Girma landed a long -term deal with the several years of English Champions Chelsea, which apparently set another run in their roster to conquer a European crown. Girmala will expose themselves to various players and tactics after spending her first three years as a professional in the NWSL what will help her and the etc. Her salary in Chelsea remains a mystery, but according to all reports, the move was also financially worthwhile.

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Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego to NC MUT)

Class: A–

Shaw is another extremely talented, young American international who requested a trade from San Diego in early 2024 and granted her wish this winter through one of the largest Intra League transfer fees of all time (a total of $ 450,000 with future conditions). She expressly wanted to go to the courage in North Carolina – and for good reasons.

North Carolina once again led the NWSL in several pass and possession metrics last year, and Shaw fits perfectly with this style. She is a versatile playmaker who is best as No. 10 who can turn around and play around a precise endball.

Shaw also has a better shot when playing for a candidate, at least at short notice. The courage was fifth last year and only a proven goal scorer was missing, while the wave limp to a 10th place.

The main concern that lacks a better word is exactly where and how Shaw will fit into the system of North Carolina. The simple answer is that it should be her No. 10 – apart from Ashley Sanchez, this role is already taking on and gave it in last season.

Does this mean that Shaw will play nine that connects to Sanchez? Such a setup may not necessarily be ideal, but as Hayes recently said, Shaw will “influence our program for a long time”, and people should not “pigeon” to a kind of player at the age of 20.

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Lynn Biyendolo (Gotham FC to Seattle Reign)

Class: B+

San Diego may have had an overhaul, but in this off-season there was a small exodus of NJ/NY Gotham FC, especially in view of all steps that were carried out only one year before the assembly of the external external process. Let's take a look at Biyendolo's step first.

Biyendolo is the leading goal scorer of the NWSL and a player who defined the value of the league for the etc. It took years for her domestic success to be translated to the international stage, but now she is regularly for the etc. and an Olympic gold medalist. Hayes has often praised Biyendolo for her willingness to take on every role, including her reserve.

This step is specifically one that she brought back to the west coast near the family because her career is approaching, and from Gotham, a place where he ultimately is in the end. “[wasn’t] A good fit. “

Biyendolo was a regular guest on which Gotham was dependent, but last year she only started 10 games in the regular season for a team that, despite his star power, relied on his depth.

In Seattle she will focus on the top, an experienced director – and a series win with four NWSL titles – for a young team that has rebuilt most of the last year. This may not be the step that will soon bring another championship, but these regular minutes should be good for you personally because she wants to consolidate her place in Hayes' plans.

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Class: B-

Dunn's departure from Gotham is most difficult to evaluate. In her farewell position, she said that after only one year she was “incredibly sad” to continue from Gotham. As with others who went, there were only a few details, but the situation was clearly unsustainable for players and club. She missed the last two months of the 2024 season due to an apologized absence before the parties agreed to terminate their contract in January.

Leaving the contract through mutual termination was a positive development for Dunn, as this made their flexibility in the search for a new team possible without the obstacle for a transfer fee and an existing contract that has proven to be costly for many clubs.

There were potential NWSL applicants, including Seattle Reign, but Paris Saint-Germain started the race late and secured Dunn. PSG is the multi -year No. 2 team in France and always offers a chance of European competition, which is positive. France's top flight is not nearly as deep as the NWSL over a week to week.

With this step, Dunn also brought important geographical and personal victims. She comes from the New York U -Bahn region and has a family there that makes Gotham a team of hometown. It could have been a place where she ended her career. Instead, she and her family of three are now over the Atlantic.

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Class: B

Nighswonger's step to Arsenal is perhaps the most surprising of the developments of Gotham, but it could pay off for the 24-year-old because she is fighting for a place as one of Hayes' trustworthy full-backs.

Nighswongers started almost every game for Gotham last season, mainly as a full -back. Was she too comfortable there and needed more challenges? Isn't the style suitable for her? Or was that just a good opportunity to lean?

Arsenal will be exposed to new challenges and play styles, which is good for almost desert. How will they fit into the long -term plans of the Gunners? The American full-back Emily Fox and the national players of the Republic of Ireland, Katie McCabe, are founded starter.

Nighswonger is versatile-the general defense agency is relatively new for her anyway after playing higher in college-and she was able to find her way to the Renée Slegers team on the field. Woning minutes is important in the long run.

Nighswong looked like she had included a role in the etc. in early 2024, but she played a reserve role at the Olympic Games and there is increasing competition in this position. She needs to need the first minute of teams before the 2027 World Cup.

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Yazmea Ryan (Gotham FC to Houston Dash)

Class: B-

Ryan is a bright, aspiring striker for the etc. that has so far impressed in limited international protocols. She made a big bet for her move to Houston Dash – and maybe a risky.

The dashboard was miserable last year and her Mia coaching saga was one of the most embarrassing and bizarre fiascos in the history of the league. There is a new trainer and president (now fills the old GM role) – Fabrice Gautrat and Angela Hucles Mangano – and the sales talk in Houston is that they start from a clean table. Gautrat has been the seventh trainer since April 2022.

This board comprises several new acquisitions, which are led by Ryan, and the allocation money paid for them in the amount of $ 400,000, one of the largest Intra League transfers in NWSL history.

Without a doubt, Ryan is a coup from the perspective of dash. Houston will rely on Ryan will bear the goal charge that should give her enough opportunities to impress Hayes. However, there is objective risks to commit long-term obligations in Houston-especially for a player who is just beginning to get more looks with the national team.

The good news is that Ryan is both talented and adaptable. It was quietly an important part of the 2022 championship team of Portland Thorn 2022 and then played a key role in Gotham's title winner the following year. She didn't miss a beat with this trade and she will hope to do the same at the beginning of 2025.