Tierna Davidson declared for the National Women’s Soccer League college draft at the last possible minute. She decided to forgo her last year of eligibility at Stanford University to turn pro. She was drafted #1 overall by the Chicago Red Stars. Other players like Lindsey Horan and Mal Pugh also gave up their NCAA eligibility to play professionally.
Davidson also has 12 caps with the Senior Women’s National League. She has provided Jill Ellis’ team with defensive depth and has a very real chance of making the FIFA World Cup roster this summer. With the World Cup taking place this summer and 10 pre-World Cup friendlies, she may not be able to make an enormous impact for the Red Stars this year.
Since she has made such a large impact on the national team, the team may pay her salary. If she is deemed an ‘allocated USWNT player’ then U.S. Soccer will pay her salary, meaning she will make more money than if the Red Stars paid her salary themselves. Since she gave up her last year of eligibility, she will also be able to earn bonuses from the World Cup this summer. She will be able to get money from sponsors, which she could not receive if she was still at Stanford.
The Red Stars finished the 2018 season in fourth place with 9 wins, 6 losses, and 10 draws. They gave up 30 goals and had nine clean sheets. Davidson will look to jump in to a back-line with fellow USWNT teammates, Casey Short, Julie Ertz, and goalkeeper Alyssa Neaher.
Davidson is currently away in Portugal at the USWNT’s first training camp of the year and will play in their first friendly against France on Jan. 19, 2019.
