USWNT F Mallory Pugh over the weekend signed with the NWSL Washington Spirit "instead of pursuing European opportunities," and Pugh’s importance to the fifth-year league was so heightened, USSF President Sunil Gulati "became involved in the negotiations," according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. Pugh is "widely considered the most talented young player to emerge from the prestigious U.S. women's program in years." She said, "Trying to promote and grow women's soccer in the U.S. was super important to me." The Spirit were in need of a "jolt after a tumultuous winter and slow start this season." The USSF "underwrites the NWSL by covering the salaries of about two-dozen" USWNT regulars. Meanwhile, Nike has "reached a long-term sponsorship deal" with Pugh (WASHINGTON POST, 5/14). FOXSPORTS.com's Ryan Rosenblatt wrote Pugh signing with the Spirit is a "coup for the league, which made signing the 19-year-old starlet a priority as soon as she announced she was foregoing college soccer to turn pro." No young American "has more hype than Pugh, who drew interest not just from NWSL, but also teams abroad" (FOXSPORTS.com, 5/13). SB NATION's Kevin McCauley wrote Pugh is "much more than just another talented young player." She is the "new face of a franchise and the emerging face of NWSL" (SBNATION.com, 5/13).
