As the formal portion of Mallory Pugh’s introductory news conference ended Tuesday, Washington Spirit Coach Jim Gabarra tried tempering the massive promise that has followed the rising U.S. national team star to Maryland SoccerPlex.
Pugh is, after all, a teenager with no pro-league experience, new to a team, new to the D.C. area and unfamiliar with all of her new teammates. She missed training camp and the first five matches of the National Women’s Soccer League season. She has got to learn the system, catch up to the speed of play, forge bonds off the field and partnerships on it.