The Changing Landscape of Women’s Soccer: From College to Pro

Based on Wayne Coffey’s article in The New York Times Athletic from March 13, 2025

The landscape of women’s soccer in America is undergoing a profound transformation. Elite young players are increasingly bypassing college soccer—or leaving early—to pursue professional careers in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

This shift represents a significant departure from the traditional pathway that once defined the sport’s development pipeline in the United States.

Riley Jackson’s Story

Riley Jackson exemplifies this trend. A standout midfielder from Georgia and Gatorade national high school player of the year, Jackson initially committed to Duke University.

However, after training with the North Carolina Courage, she made what she called “the hardest decision of my life” and signed a professional contract at age 17, forgoing her college career.

“Every time I stepped on the field (with the Courage), it was an amazing experience,” Jackson told The Athletic. “I got better. I got pushed. I had fun.”

Her decision reflects a growing recognition among elite players that professional opportunities need not wait for a college degree.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The statistics are striking:

• 13 youth players have jumped directly from club soccer to the NWSL since 2024
• 12 additional players turned pro after leaving college early in the same period
• Mckenna Whitham signed with Gotham FC at 14, becoming the youngest player to appear in an NWSL match

This trend began with Mallory Swanson (formerly Pugh) in 2017, but has accelerated dramatically in recent years.

What’s Driving the Change?

The Evolution of the NWSL

The NWSL has transformed from a fledgling league focused merely on survival to a thriving professional environment:

• Team valuations have skyrocketed (Washington Spirit sold for $35 million in 2022; Angel City FC sold for $250 million in 2023)
• Denver recently joined as the 16th team with a $110 million expansion fee
• Transfer fees have reached new heights (Naomi Girma’s $1.1 million move to Chelsea)
• Player salaries have increased dramatically (minimum salary now $48,000, up from $6,000 in 2013)
• Training facilities and professional environments have improved substantially

The End of the Draft

The new collective bargaining agreement abolished the draft system, giving rookies free agency and greater control over their destinations—another factor making early professional moves more attractive.

The College Coaching Perspective

College coaches have mixed feelings about this transformation. While acknowledging the benefits for truly elite players, many worry about those who may leave too soon:

“There is this appetite to jump and leave,” said Lori Walker-Hock, Ohio State’s coach for 28 years. “The challenge we have is social media. Everybody wants to throw up (a post) and say, ‘Hey, my daughter is a pro!'”

Florida State’s Brian Pensky noted that staying in college worked well for former players like Emily Sams and Jenna Nighswonger, who are now on the U.S. Women’s National Team.

The Pro Club Perspective

Professional teams recognize the responsibility that comes with signing young players:

“The onus is on clubs to make sure if you see a player on a professional trajectory, you are bringing them in at the right time,” said Gotham GM Yael Averbuch West.

Orlando Pride GM Haley Carter emphasized the importance of playing time: “If you can’t get those match minutes, there’s not a lot of opportunity to get better.”

Looking Ahead

The women’s soccer landscape faces additional challenges and opportunities:

• The NCAA’s $2.78 billion antitrust settlement could further blur the lines between amateur and professional status
• NIL deals have already moved college athletics toward professionalization
• The transfer portal has increased player movement between schools

As Santa Clara coach Jerry Smith observed: “It’s absolutely impossible to predict what women’s college soccer will look like in five years.”

My 2 Cents

The quick shift in women’s soccer represents both exciting progress and potential pitfalls. The professionalization of the NWSL has created more career opportunities that simply didn’t exist a decade ago—this is great!

However, there are concerns about long-term development. For every Riley Jackson or Trinity Rodman who successfully makes the leap, others may benefit more from the college experience—not just for athletic development, but for personal growth, education, and the opportunity to play significant minutes.

The ideal system would provide multiple viable pathways rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Players should be able to choose what’s best for their individual circumstances without pressure to follow the latest trend. Some will thrive going straight to the pros, while others may benefit from the structure, education, and developmental opportunities of college soccer.

What’s most encouraging is that young women now have choices that previous generations lacked.

Whether pursuing education while developing their game or jumping straight to professional careers, female soccer players have more viable paths than ever before.

With a stronger youth system being established, it’s going to be fun to see how this affects NWSL. I think it will undoubtedly have a positive impact.

As NWSL continues to grow and college programs adapt, the future of women’s soccer in America looks brighter than ever, with more opportunities for players at all levels to pursue their dreams!