The Washington Spirit, a women’s pro soccer team in need of a jolt after a tumultuous winter and slow start this season, has acquired the U.S. national team’s rising star, 19-year-old attacker Mallory Pugh.
The 2016 Olympian, who left UCLA last month without ever appearing in a college match, chose to play in the National Women’s Soccer League instead of pursuing European opportunities.
With the top pick in the league’s distribution ranking order, the Spirit claimed Pugh on Friday. Her acquisition was formally announced by the team and league Saturday. She will join the Spirit in the coming days and likely make her pro debut next Saturday against FC Kansas City at Maryland SoccerPlex.