Report: Samantha Mewis moves to Manchester City, possibly joined by Rose Lavelle

The United States Women’s National Team could see two of its biggest stars head to England. The Athletic’s Meg Linehan reports that Manchester City has signed USWNT midfielder Samantha Mewis, while an offer is also on the table for Rose Lavelle to join her WNT teammate.

The contract offer for both of them is a one year deal, which makes sense with both their NWSL seasons over. With the North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit having been eliminated from the NWSL Challenge Cup, both players would be able to join the Citizens immediately. It’s clear to see why a club like Manchester City is after them, as both players are stars in their own right. Also, with the fate of the rest of the 2020 NWSL season in doubt after the completion of the NWSL Challenge Cup, Mewis (and Lavelle, if she opts to join Man City) will be able to keep sharp by playing a full season of matches.

The FA Women’s Super League is on the rise and the desire to play in the Champions League is on the rise as well. The women’s game is growing significantly in Europe, and the leagues there are vying for some of the world’s best women’s soccer stars. That would mean that USWNT players will always be coveted. Over 19,000 fans were in attendance for the Women’s Champions League final last season.

Samantha Mewis has been capped 67 times for the USWNT, with Rose Lavelle earning 45 caps, and both players are going to be a part of the national team for the foreseeable future. With the possibility of the NWSL not returning until next spring, they may find this move necessary.

Samantha Mewis joins Carli Lloyd, who joined Manchester City on loan in 2017, and Janine Beckie as the only other fellow North Americans to play for the club. Rose Lavelle could be another name on that list soon.