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USWNT stars Christen Press, Tobin Heath sign with Manchester United

The United States women’s national team presence in England’s Women’s Super League continues to grow.

On Wednesday, Manchester United confirmed the signings of USWNT attackers Christen Press and Tobin Heath.

Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer broke the initial news of the impending transfers last week.

Press, 31, has spent the past two seasons with the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League, while Heath, 32, has played for the NWSL’s Portland Thorns since 2013. Both players won the 2015 and 2019 World Cups with the USWNT.

Both are joining United on one-year deals, too. They have a direct path to return to play for their NWSL clubs next year, since the American and European club seasons traditionally don’t overlap much.

The NWSL has resumed play with a series of fall friendlies after this summer’s Challenge Cup. Neither Press nor Heath played in the summer tournament, exercising their right to opt out.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage in the United States, USWNT stars continue to make their way to Europe. Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle both joined Manchester City last month, and the WSL is fast becoming one of the most talented women’s soccer leagues in the world.

City finished as runner-up in the WSL last season, finishing with more points than champion Chelsea but also playing one more game. Once England’s Football Association decided against resuming play and simply to end the season, Chelsea was awarded the title on a higher points-per-game basis.

The United women finished fourth, and are clearly looking to climb into the ranks of Europe’s elite.

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