[ColoradoTree]

Very sad for us.  But I presume she is graduating, unlike Sophia Smith.  Will Madison Haley be coming back--she too is a senior?  I think the team might be very different next time we actually see it on the field.

A few points: 

1. Just wanted to confirm that yes, she is scheduled to graduate at the end of Winter Quarter (she majored in Communications with a minor in Psychology). Not clear exactly how much she has left in terms of credits, but if school is remote anyway, she can take a class or two from France.

2. The timing of this move makes a lot of sense for her in particular. She is outstanding, and as long as she's in form, I think she makes the Olympic roster. She's just too good. But she needs to play in order for that to happen, and she's not going to be playing if she stays put. The decision to play in France vs. the NWSL is a different question, but it's not even a choice right now. The Olympics are in July, the French season is going on right now and runs until June, and the NWSL regular season doesn't start until May. And she makes more money for Lyon than she'd make here. Declaring for the NWSL draft would have done her no favors in showing her level before the Olympic roster is picked. 

3. Did I mention how good she is? If she were eligible at the time, she would've been on the 2019 World Cup Roster. She's in a tier of athlete where whatever amount of time we get from her is a blessing and we should just say thank you.

[ColoradoTree]

Very sad for us.  But I presume she is graduating, unlike Sophia Smith.  Will Madison Haley be coming back--she too is a senior?  I think the team might be very different next time we actually see it on the field.

A few points: 

1. Just wanted to confirm that yes, she is scheduled to graduate at the end of Winter Quarter (she majored in Communications with a minor in Psychology). Not clear exactly how much she has left in terms of credits, but if school is remote anyway, she can take a class or two from France.

2. The timing of this move makes a lot of sense for her in particular. She is outstanding, and as long as she's in form, I think she makes the Olympic roster. She's just too good. But she needs to play in order for that to happen, and she's not going to be playing if she stays put. The decision to play in France vs. the NWSL is a different question, but it's not even a choice right now. The Olympics are in July, the French season is going on right now and runs until June, and the NWSL regular season doesn't start until May. And she makes more money for Lyon than she'd make here. Declaring for the NWSL draft would have done her no favors in showing her level before the Olympic roster is picked. 

3. Did I mention how good she is? If she were eligible at the time, she would've been on the 2019 World Cup Roster. She's in a tier of athlete where whatever amount of time we get from her is a blessing and we should just say thank you.