The United States Women’s National Team, idled since the end of the SheBelieves Cup in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, has seen the ability of many of its players to play dwindled due to the postponement of the 2020 NWSL season. When the league decided to reboot by having a one-off tournament, the NWSL Challenge Cup, a few of the players decided to opt out of the tournament, sitting out due to concerns about the health and safety of the players at the tournament or due to nagging injuries that needed rest.
However, with the Olympics now pushed back to next summer and the NWSL unsure on a resumption of the regular season this fall, a few players have decided to head abroad in search of consistent matches to keep their fitness and sharpness.