This week, we examine the women' transfers and transfer fees from FIFA's recent report on Football transfers during the January 2024 window. We also review a recent international tournament in Colombia including NWSL reigning champions Gotham FC and Racing Louisville, during their NWSL pre-season training, competing against Colombian top club sides America and Deportivo, both of Cali.

The U.S. U-20 national team was also in Colombia for training and two friendlies against the FIFA 2024 U-20 WWC hosts later this year and we examine the results and the teams' rosters. We also have an update on the quarterfinal and semifinal knockout stages of the on-going CONCACAF W Gold Cup Tournament, in which the U.S. faced Colombia in the quarterfinals. Finally, another Zambian international has signed with an NWSL team, as Barbra Banda is leaving China for the Orlando Pride, which is a hugely impactful signing for Banda, the NWSL and African Soccer, and pips many European sides to her signature.

FIFA International Transfer Snapshot Report—January 2024—Women's Football Findings

FIFA has continued its excellent series of data-driven reports on the women's game with a strong component of its latest FIFA International Transfer Snapshot Report from January 2024 (for men and women), analyzing the most recent international transfer window at the end of 2023 and early in 2024 (generally knows as the January window).

The highlights on the women's football side include:

• There was a large increase in women's international player transfers with a fee (31.3%) of the total number of 357 transfers in January 2024—virtually the same number as in January 2023 (356), but with large increases over 2022 (262), 2021 (181) and 2020 (184).
• The spending in dollars was up over 165% in the last year, to US$2,100,000, up from $774,500 in 2023, itself a large increase over 2022 ($487,800), 2021 ($310,100) and 2020 ($193,600).
• The vast majority of transfers in January 2024 were out of contract (79.3%), which was a slight decline from 2023 (84%). The percentage of permanent transfers with a transfer agreement rose to 11.2%, the first time it exceeded 10% in a winter transfer window, with some of it driven by high profile signings of 2023 WWC stars, particularly in Liga MX Femenil and in the NWSL, with two expansion sides joining for the 2024 season in the San Francisco Bay Area and Salt Lake City. Loan agreements also increased in the last year (7.6% vs 3.9%) while 2% of the transfers involved returees to their parent clubs at the end of a loan period.
• The 24-29 age group accounted for 40.3% of transfers but 71.8% of the spending on transfer fees ($1.5 million). However, those between 18-23 accounted for more transfers (46.2%), which depicts the growing trend by many clubs around the world to sign younger players.
• Looking at the player moves across the six FIFA Confederations, UEFA accounted for the vast majority of player moves with 218 incoming transfers and 187 outgoing moves—both increasing from January 2023 by 2.3% and 8.7%, respectively. CONCACAF saw more transfers inbound in 2024 (43), which was an 80% increase over the year before, primarily driven by the NWSL and Liga MX Femenil—with some new arrivals having played in the 2023 WWC Finals. CONCACAF has 42 transfers to other Confederations, a decrease of 16% from 2023. Other Confederations moves included:

Transfers In Transfers Out

(% change from 2023) (% change from 2023)

• AFC 26 (+52.9%) 23 (+76.9%)
• CAF 53 (+20.5%) 62 (+8.8%)
• CONMEBOL 17 (-70.7%) 42 (-33.3%)
• OFC 0 na 1 (0.0%)

• On the national association side, England and Spain tied for first for transfers inbound with 29, a 3.3% and 14.7% decline over the past year, respectively. Other top five countries with transfers in were Germany 25, Morocco (22) and Mexico (21). For transfers leaving the country, Sweden and the U.S. were tied with 30, a 15.1 and 11.1% increase, respectively. England (17) and Spain (11) were third and fourth followed by Germany, Italy, Iceland and Norway all tied with 10 players moving away from the respective nations.

FIFA again has been marvelous with their statistical reports to help us benchmark a vital measure for the growth of the women's game. One suggestion would be to track individual league around the world as they did with Confederations and National Associations. It would be interesting to see the percentages of movements between leagues. For most countries, we could look at Division I, II and III leagues as well as the two Division I leagues that the U.S. will have later this year with the 12-year-old NWSL and the brand new USL Super League (see our column from two weeks ago: The Week in Women's Football: Chatting with stars of Gold Cup Finals; Tyrone Mears joins USL trailblazers - Tribal Football).

Colombia women's tournament includes two local Cali teams and two guests from the NWSL

Racing Louisville and NJ/NY Gotham FC traveled to Colombia in late February to take part in The Women's Cup Colombia tournament, with both teams being the first NWSL sides to play in South America. In the opening day on February 27, Gotham FC defeated Deportivo Cali 1-0 at the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero. Gotham dominated play but didn't score until very late in the match as Gotham FC non-rostered invitee McKenna Whitham found the back of the net on a play that began with Spanish international Maitane Lopez (28) and Delanie Sheehan (25)—ex-UCLA and Paris FC on loan—combining down the sideline. When Sheehan sent the ball across goal, it was deflected and Whitman scored from a close range shot. Incredibly Whitham is only 13-years-old.

Whitham is a U.S. under-15 international and was brought into camp with Gotham as a non-rostered invitee, having also trained previously with the Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit. This month, Whitham made headlines by signing a name, image and likeness (NIL—Name, Image and Likeness sponsorship) deal with Nike, becoming the youngest women's soccer player and youngest athlete in any sport to sign an NIL deal with the major sports apparel and equipment company that is based in Portland, Oregon.

Off-season goalkeeper acquisition Cassie Miller recorded the shutout. After the game, Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said: "It was definitely a very difficult game. I think the conditions, the opposition was fantastic. They knew the game plan to make it very difficult for us. But we knew we needed to stay calm and the longer the game goes, the more tired they were going to get. And the final minute goal from Mac [McKenna Whitham] was fantastic because obviously she is a special young player we decided to give a chance. We're very happy to see her score the game-winning goal."

He also talked about the value of coming to South America during pre-season: "I think for us to come to Colombia is an unbelievable experience. In the women's game in America, we are still missing that international factor of competing in other countries against other styles. For us coming here, being welcomed by the passion of the Colombian people and getting to know the football here and the amazing talent and to compete against it is an amazing experience for us."

In the second game of the evening, Jordan Baggett and Savannah DeMelo both scored, the later from the penalty spot, to help Racing Louisville top América de Cali, 2-0 to qualify for the final match in three Women's Cup appearances; Louisville won the inaugural tournament in 2021 at its home, Lynn Family Stadium. Baggett's goal was superb as she volleyed a clearance into the goal from the edge of the penalty box.

After the game, Racing Louisville head coach Bev Yanez said: "I'm very proud of this group. We talked about it coming into the game, being ready to compete and understand where we're at in preseason, giving us an opportunity to play a very good opponent. What are we doing well? Where can we continue to improve? For us, it's about starting on the right foot come the start of the season and how we continue to progress through the year. I'm proud of them controlling what they could control."

Just days prior to the game, from Colombia, Yanez talked to this reporter and two others from the States and TribalFootball.com asked her about what her team would gain by going to South America during their 2024 pre-season and she said: "We've had opportunities [in preseason] against Houston [Dash] and academy teams. These games will continue to bring different challenges and a bit different style of play…and a good opportunity to see where we are at."

Despite it being a preseason match, Yanez (who herself went to Japan to continue her career between the folding of WPS and the founding of the NWSL over a decade ago) did also emphasize that they were there to compete. For years, NWSL coaches would complain to me and other reports that they had to play pre-season matches against off-season college sides, local amateur teams, or occasionally other NWSL sides. Racing Louisville and Gotham have super-charged the idea of pre-season preparation with this trip to South America and I think it is very good for the NWSL and the Colombian Liga Femenina BetPlay DIMAYOR.

Deportivo Cali won Colombia's top-tier league in 2021 and finished second in 2022. Manuella Paví, a forward for the Colombian national team, was away at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup Finals in the U.S. (see below). Deportivo has two imports on their side this season:

• Goalkeeper Lilihoski Sarai (29) of Ecuador
• Defender Katherine Castillo (27) of Panama—who missed the tournament while on national team duty at the 2024 W Gold Cup Finals in the U.S.

América de Cali featured three members from Colombia's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Finals squad that made it to the quarterfinals last summer, falling to England 2-1, including defender Carolina Arias, defender Fabiana Yanten and goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo. The club won the league in 2019 and again in 2022 and has three top-three finishes in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores Femenina [Continental Club Championship] over the last four years. Their one import this season, which has just begun play in the 2024 Apertura (Opening Championship), is goalkeeper Nohelis Coronel (24), who played in the past for Venezuela's U-17 national team. She is in her second season with the club, moving from AC Deportivo Lara in Baraquisimeto, in the central-western region of the country.

Gotham had brought Spanish stars Esther Gonzalez (a 2023 WWC Winner) and Maitane Lopez, but was missing Midge Purce, Lynn Williams, Rose Lavelle, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Jenna Nighswonger and Emily Sonnett due to U.S. WNT call-ups for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

Racing Louisville's American-born Colombian international forward Elexa Bahr (25) is in her first season with Racing and played last season with America de Cali, scoring six goals in 17 matches; she made the 2023 WWC Finals squad but did not appear in any of Colombia's five games (see: The Week in Women's Football: NWSL preview as clubs go on mega spending spree - Tribal Football). She did not make the trip as she was called into her national side for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

On March 1, 2024, Gotham defeated Racing Louisville (3-1) to win the Women's Cup Colombia and start the year early with a trophy. Racing took an early lead with an eighth minute goal by forward Reilyn Turner, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft out of UCLA. Gotham FC found the equalizer just after the second half started. Midfielder Delanie Sheehan forced a turnover on the pass back of the kickoff. The ball took a deflection and fell to Esther, who drove down the middle of the pitch and scored from 20 yards away. Gotham FC continued their high press attack and scored again in the 62nd minute when Esther found Katie Stengel down the left flank, who held the ball and then played it back to Esther at the top of the box. The Spanish forward took a preparation touch and then drilled the ball at the near post into goal for her second goal. The third goal came in the 73rd minute after U.S. international defender Kelley O'Hara drove a shot off of a Racing Louisville defender for an own goal.

Reigning NWSL Champions started the 2024 season by winning the 2024 Women's Cup Colombia in Cali on March 1, 2024. Photo courtesy Gotham FC.

After the match, Racing Louisville head coach Bev Yanez, who was formerly an assistant at Gotham FC in 2021 and 2022, said: "We came to Colombia and got two quality games as a part of our preseason preparation. It's a great opportunity to assess where we are, what areas are going well and where we can be better. It's a process; things don't happen overnight. We keep pushing and continuing to grow in a positive direction. We want to peak at the right time and progress as a group in preparation for the start of the 2024 season."

America defeated city rival Deportivo 1-0 in the third place match. Ordinarily, on a trip like that, the visiting teams from abroad would not meet each other in order to face both of their international opponents, but hosting a championship game does increase the marketing value for these types of events. Well done for both teams for making the long trip to South America for this tournament and we hope to see more exchanges between American sides and international clubs, particularly as we all await finalization of plans for a FIFA Women's Club Championship in the not too distant future.

Six NWSL rookies in U-20 squad that won two internationals in Colombia

The U.S. women's U-20 national team also went to Colombia last month to play two friendly matches against the Colombian U-20 WNT, which will host the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup later this year. They trained in Bogota and played two matches, the first on February 25 at the 39,500-seat Estadio El Campín, home to Millonarios and Independiente Santa Fe, and the second on February 28 at 10,000-seat Estadio de Techo, where the match was closed to the public.

In the first game, the Americans won 1-0 over Colombia in front of 15,000 fans on a 92nd minute goal from substitute forward Pietra Tordin, who plays at Princeton, University in New Jersey and is from Florida. This was Tordin's first U-20 international match. On the goal, Tordin won the ball from a defender with a fair shoulder charge and then evaded two defenders on the dribble before scoring into the corner of the net from 12 yards out. The match also marked the U-20 debuts of midfielder Sam Courtright, defender Heather Gilchrist, goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress, who earned the shutout, former U-17 WYNT captain Riley Jackson and forward Giana Riley. The U.S. lineup featured four professional players in Jackson (North Carolina Courage), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Ally Lemos (Orlando Pride) and team captain Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals).

In the second game, the Americans won 1-0 on a 13th minute goal from forward Ally Sentnor. U.S. goalkeeper Teagan Wy saved a penalty kick in the 22nd minute to keep the Americans up 1-0. The match saw five yellow cards, two to the USA and three to Colombia. Four of those cautions came in the first half. The U.S. starting lineup featured four professional players in defender Savy King (Bay FC), midfielder Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Lemos (Orlando Pride) and Sentnor (Utah Royals), with the latter scoring her sixth international goal at the U-20 level in 12 matches.

The U.S. U-20 roster had six NWSL rookies, 12 college players and two youth club players:

U.S. Roster:
Goalkeepers (2): *Mackenzie Gress (Penn State), Teagan Wy (California)
Defenders (7): Tessa Dellarose (North Carolina), Elise Evans (Stanford), *Heather Gilchrist (Florida State), Savy King (Bay FC), *Reese Klein (Florida United SC), Leah Klenke (Notre Dame), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC)
Midfielders (5): *Sam Courtwright (Texas Tech), *Claire Hutton (KC Current), *Riley Jackson (NC Courage), Ally Lemos (Orlando Pride), Lauren Martinho (NC Courage Academy)
Forwards (6): Jordynn Dudley (Florida State), Kat Rader (Duke), Giana Riley (Gonzaga), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), *Taylor Suarez (Florida State), *Pietra Tordin (Princeton).
*Uncapped at under-20 level.

Colombia's roster was all home-based, as was the U.S. roster:

• Ana Mile Gonzalez Herrera – Millonarios F.C.
• Brenda Michell Cardona Mahecha – Llaneros F.C.
• Cristina Motta Chavarro – Independiente Santa Fe
• Gabriela Rodríguez Salazar – América De Cali
• Greicy Adriana Landazury Gonzalez – Independiente Medellín
• Karen Daniela Hernandez Bejarano – Independiente Santa Fe
• Karla Dayana Torres García – Independiente Santa Fe
• Laura Daniela Garavito Perdomo – Millonarios F.C.
• Liz Katerine Osorio Zuleta – Atlético Nacional
• Luisa Fernanda Agudelo Morelo – Deportivo Cali
• Maithe López Miranda – Real Santander
• María Fernanda Viáfara Bravo – Alianza F.C.
• María José Torres Cristancho – Millonarios F.C.
• Mary Jose Alvarez Espitaleta – Atlético Nacional
• Martina Duque Otero – Fortin Colombia (Bogota League)
• Mirna Rocío Olaya Obregón – Alianza Petrolera
• Natalia Hernández Sules – Deportivo Cali
• Orianna Quintero Lemmel – Deportivo Pereira
• Sintia Vanesa Cabezas Vanegas – América De Cali
• Stefania Perlaza Perlaza – Deportivo Cali
• Valeria Michelle Candanoza Yacomelo – Independiente Medellín
• Valerin Loboa Vásquez – Deportivo Cali
• Yesica Paola Muñoz Rojas – Llaneros F.C.
• Yunaira Jessely López Moreno – Atlético Nacional

2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup Quarterfinals and Semifinals Review

On March 2, at Los Angeles' BMO Field—home of Angel City FC of NWSL and L.A. FC of MLS—both higher-ranked teams advanced from the quarterfinals to the midweek semifinals (see: The Week in Women's Football: Mexico celebrate USA shock; Spain win Nations League - Tribal Football). Brazil defeated Argentina 5-1 but Canada—despite a heavy advantage of attacks and multiple narrow misses on goals in the penalty area—needed overtime to dispatch Costa Rica 1-0. It was the second match in a row between the two teams as they had played on the final day of the group stage, with Canada winning more easily (3-0).

The decisive moment came in the first half of extra time in the 103rd minute, beginning with Canada Captain and midfielder Jessie Fleming (who recently transferred from Chelsea of the WSL to the Portland Thorns) chipping the ball into the area from a free kick that Evelyne Viens (who moved from Kristianstads of Sweden this summer to join Roma in Serie A in Italy) reached and headed past Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera (who is now with Atlas in Mexico after time in Colombia, Finland and at home); she was outstanding for Las Ticas, making six saves in the game,

In the second match, Brazil knocked Argentina out of the tournament with a 5-1 win, with midfielder Bia Zaneratto (Kansas City Current) scoring two goals and providing one assist. Argentina scored the best goal of the match with about 10 minutes remaining when midfielder Celeste Dos Santos (Boca Juniors) controlled a long pass from midfielder and chipped the ball over Brazilian GK Luciana (Ferroviaria) and into the net to take the score 4-1.

On March 3, again at BMO Field, Mexico moved on to the semifinals with a 3-2 win over Paraguay with Lizbeth Ovalle (24) of UANL Tigres scoring twice. Ovalle scored her first goal in the 31st minute and Mexico doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Karen Luna (26) of Club America of Mexico City scored after a defensive clearance on a corner kick. A minute late Paraguay was awarded a penalty and hat-trick hero Jessica Martinez (24)—from Levante of Spain, who played for Santos of Brazil as a teenager—from their previous game (a 3-2 group stage win over El Salvador that sent them on to the quarterfinals), saw her penalty kick saved by GK Esthefanny Barreras (27)—who grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, played at Phoenix Community College and the University West Florida and is currently with Pachuca—as she stretched to her right to make the stop.

Paraguay kept pushing though, and they cut the Mexico lead to 2-1 in the 64' when defender Camila Barbosa (22, with Olimpia of Paraguay) had a free header in the box and buried it. Mexico however did not let up and they had an excellent breakaway in the 69th minute. Goalkeeper Alicia Bobadilla (29) of Racing of Argentina blocked Stephany Mayor (32) of UANL on the first attempt but Ovalle scored on the rebound for a 3-1 advantage. In the 72nd minute Rebeca Fernandez (32) of Universidad de Chile again pulled a goal back for Paraguay but Mexico's defense was up to the task and finished with a 3-2 win.

In the second game, the U.S easily handled Colombia 3-0 with first half goals by Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw. Colombia did not seriously threaten the U.S. even though the South Americans led in ball possession. A much tighter game was expected as Colombia made it a round further in last summer's WWC than did the Americans, who fell to Sweden in the Round of 16.. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher recorded the shutout and became only the third goalkeeper to earn 100 caps, behind Hope Solo and Brianna Scurry. The U.S. is the first country in history to have three female goalkeepers with 100+ caps.

The semifinals on March 6 in San Diego matched Canada and the U.S. and Mexico versus Brazil, the last of the four CONMEBOL teams who all advanced to the knockout stage, but Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia all failed to advance from the last eight. Brazil ended Mexico's strong run in the tournament, including only their second win over the U.S. in 40-plus matches, with a solid 3-0 win. Adriana Leon (27), who scored 6 goals in 19 games last season for Orlando after spending the previous five seasons with Corinthians of Sao Paulo, opened the scoring in the 21st minutes. Eleven minutes later, Adriana assisted Antonia Da Costa (29), who is in her second season at Levente in Spain. Just after the half-time break, Yasmin Assis Ribeiro (27), who is in her seventh season with Corinthians, scored Brazil's third tally with a nifty back-leg flick into the goal from a few yards out. Mexico was handicapped when American-raised Nicollette Hernandez (25) was given a red card just before the first goal in the 29th minute for fouling a Brazilian forward as decided by VAR.

In the second match, the North American derby saw Canada and the U.S. play on a water-logged field that at times resembled more of a swamp and resulted in teams trying to keep the ball off of the ground as much as they could. Early in the game, the Mexican referee Katia Garcia even seemed to recommend that it be postponed early in the match but tournament officials insisted that it continued. Canada scored a late goal to tie the match 1-1 and then on the death of overtime to take the game to penalties, which the U.S. moving onto the Final 3-1. Forward Jaedyn Shaw tallied her team-leading fourth goal of the tournament to open the scoring in the 20th minute, pouncing on an attempted Canadian back-pass to the goalkeeper that died in a puddle, with the 19-year-old becoming the first USWNT player ever to score in each of her first four starts. In the 82nd minute, Canada tied the match as defender Ashley Lawrence found forward Jordyn Huitema on a cross, who buried a header into the net. In overtime, in a sequence starting with Emily Sonnett's ball out of defense that was flicked on by Rose Lavelle near the top of the penalty area, substitute forward Sophia Smith ran free to scored her 16th career international goal in the 99th minute off a feed from Rose Lavelle.

It seemed the U.S. was home and dry—despite the horrid conditions on the pitch—but in the last minute (stoppage time), Jade Rose (21) of Harvard University sent a long ball out of the back for Vanessa Gilles (27) of Olympique Lyon, who headed the ball as Alyssa Naeher raced out of goal and crashed into her, while the ball went wide of goal. It did not look like a penalty offense from this reporter's viewpoint, but after VAR review, referee Katia Garcia awarded a penalty to Canada and gave Naeher a yellow card. Leon held her nerve and scored to Naeher's left side as the goalkeeper when to her right. The penalty call looked very questionable and was quite fortunate for Canada but simply delayed their defeat.

In the penalty shootout, Smith scored first for the U.S., then Naeher easily saved Leon's attempt, who went to Naeher's right this time. She then saved from Huitema, and scored the third kick after American defender Korbin Albert (20) of Paris Saint-Germain (who played at the University of Notre Dame and the WPSL's Cleveland Ambassadors in 2022) skied her kick after she took a much different straight forward run up for her kick. Fleming, as did her two teammates, went to Naeher's right but Naeher made her third save and the U.S. was onto the Final against Brazil. The Americans improved to a 54-7-4 (W-D-L) record against Canada all-time.

There is no third place game in this tournament and the U.S. will face Brazil on March 11 in the Final in San Diego.

Orlando Pride signs high-scoring Zambian international forward Barbra Banda from China's Shanghai Shengli for a huge transfer fee

Early in March, reports in the U.S. indicated that the Orlando Pride landed one of the most sought-after forwards in the women's game, and the club confirmed on March 7 that they had signed Zambian international forward Barbra Banda (23) from Chinese side Shanghai Shengli for a US$740,000 transfer fee.

She signed a four year contract which is worth $2.1 million—putting her among the highest paid women's footballers in the world. Uniquely in women's football, Shanghai retains a portion of any follow-up fee if Orlando moves Banda on in the future—this is not new on the men's side for top players, but is very rare indeed for women's footballers. Banda is the second Zambian to sign for record fees and terms after Racheal Kundananji recently signed with Bay FC from Madrid FC for a world record of US$789,000 plus possible add-ons of $75,000 in performance bonuses (see: The Week in Women's Football: NWSL preview as clubs go on mega spending spree - Tribal Football).

Banda became a global revelation at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by scoring consecutive hat tricks in Zambia's first two games (losing to the Netherlands 10-3 and tying China 4-4), which had never been done before. This is a tremendous signing for the NWSL as teams in Europe have been watching Banda since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (and a few even before that), with Real Madrid of Spain reportedly had been working on a transfer with Shanghai Shengli.

It's official—Zambian international forward Barbra Banda is a member of the Orlando Pride—Photo courtesy of Orlando Pride.

Orlando Pride owner and chairman Mark Wilf said about Barbra Banda's signing: "It has always been our vision to build the Orlando Pride into an NWSL Championship contender and we believe investment in the world's best players is a prerequisite for success. Barbra Banda brings a new level of technical skill, physicality and pace to our attack and she is an exciting and entertaining addition to our roster. We thank Shanghai Shengli FC and their leadership for partnering with us to bring Barbra to Orlando and to the National Women's Soccer League. Our fans have much to look forward to as we prepare to kick-off the regular season!"

Of course, Wilf sort of downgraded his current Brazilian All-star Marta, who for years has been seen by many as the best player in the world. Banda has the potential to step nicely into Marta's shoes when she does eventually retire, expected in the next year or two.

Banda herself said: "I am very excited to join Orlando Pride. It's a great club and I love what they're building. The National Women's Soccer League is one of the most competitive and strongest leagues in the world so it's very humbling to get a chance to play in it. Since my first meeting with the club and the General Manager [Haley Carter], I knew this was a club I wanted to join. I can't wait to meet my new teammates and start working with them. I hope to help the team in my small capacity to do great things and win a lot of trophies together."

Banda comes to Orlando having led Shanghai Shengli with 16 goals and five assists in 2023. She joined the club in 2020 and scored 18 goals in 13 matches, winning the CWSL Golden Boot with twice the number of goals than the second-placed player. In total, Banda scored 41 goals across 52 career games in Shanghai.

In the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup, Banda also helped then No. 79 ranked Zambia knock off No. 2 ranked Germany, scoring a brace including the stoppage-time game winner. She started playing with Zambia at the full level in 2016. During last year's World Cup, Banda scored the game-winning goal in Zambia's final game of the tournament, ending the group stage on a high with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica for the nation's first-ever World Cup win. Banda's goal also marked the 1000th goal scored in Women's World Cup history.

Banda and the Copper Queens will continue their quest for 2024 Paris Olympics qualification, facing Morocco in the Fourth Round of the 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament between April 1 and April 9. On February 28, Banda helped the Copper Queens advance to the fourth round with a 4-3 aggregate win over Ghana, scoring a crucial stoppage-time (96th minute) match equalizer in the second game at home (a 3-3 tie), after a 1-0 win away in Accra.

Banda actually was an amateur and professional boxer at home before switching her full-time focus to football. She has the potential to be one of the top five players in the world and now, after scoring 16 goals in 28 games with Logrono in Spain before going to China, is finally back in a top class league. Orlando achieved what many European teams wanted to do in signing Banda.

I have known her agent for over a decade and he has repeatedly talked about her class and talent; she now can show her talent consistently in a league with high visibility and parity. The onus is now on head coach Seb Hines and his coaching staff to develop and maximize her talent. We will follow her transition to the NWSL and attempt to schedule an interview with her over the next few months.

Tim Grainey is a contributor to Tribal Football. His latest book Beyond Bend it Like Beckham is on the global game of women's football. Get your copy today.

Follow Tim on Twitter: @TimGrainey