A life in professional soccer
ZERBONI’S TRAVELS
McCall Zerboni’s career has been a microcosm of the struggle for professional women’s soccer to gain a toehold in the American market:
Los Angeles Sol — Zerboni was drafted 47th out of UCLA in 2009 by the Sol, the only women’s pro team to be based in the Southland, in the first year of Women’s Professional Soccer, or WPS. She played in half of the team’s 20 games and had one assist. The Sol won the regular-season championship and hosted and lost the title game at Home Depot Center, after which AEG immediately returned ownership to the league.
Atlanta Beat — Atlanta selected Zerboni in the 2009 expansion draft, and she played 20 games for the last-place Beat in 2010.
Western New York Flash — Signed as a free agent, McCall earned a starting spot in the midfield on a star-studded team that included Alex Morgan, Christine Sinclair and Marta. The Flash won the WPS 2011 regular-season and playoff championships. When the league folded, Zerboni and the Flash spent a year in the semipro WPSL Elite before the team gained admittance to the new National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. The Flash won the inaugural NWSL regular-season title but finished seventh the following year.
Portland Thorns — Zerboni went to the Thorns in a trade for the 2015 season. She was veteran insurance for Portland against players departing with the national team for the World Cup in Canada. She scored two goals in 18 games.
Boston Breakers — Acquired by trade during the offseason, Zerboni played only eight games for Boston in 2016 before being traded again to the Western New York Flash, with whom she picked up a league championship.
North Carolina Courage — With the Flash sold, moved and rebranded as the Courage, Zerboni began to come into her own as she reached her 30s. She was a starter in 2017 and 2018 as the Courage won the regular-season NWSL titles both years, and she was named to the league’s Best XI in 2018 and was a finalist for MVP. The Courage won the 2018 title.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM
The stars of the U.S. women’s national team who played to millions of fans on TV this summer will still be in action with their NWSL teams, along with 35 members of other countries’ national teams. ESPN has contracted with the league to broadcast 14 regular-season and playoff games in the coming months. Here’s where members of the U.S. national team will play in the NWSL:
Chicago Red Stars — Morgan Brian, Tierna Davidson, Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher North Carolina Courage — Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Jessica McDonald, Samantha Mewis Orlando Pride — Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan Portland Thorns — Adrianna Franch, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Emily Sonnett Seattle Reign FC — Allie Long, Megan Rapinoe Sky Blue FC (New Jersey) — Carli Lloyd Utah Royals — Kelley O’Hara, Christen Press, Becky Sauerbrunn Washington Spirit — Rose Lavelle, Mallory Pugh Note: A ninth team, the Houston Dash, features no national team members.