The USL Super League’s spring season has begun with a bang for many of the league’s new signings, each of which is already making a name for themselves and impacting their team’s fortunes.
Here are the top four players that we’ll have our eyes on for the rest of the season:
Lexi Missimo – Dallas Trinity FC
The University of Texas alum wasted no time showing Dallas fans why she was one of the most anticipated new additions to watch for the second half of the season. Just four minutes into Trinity’s spring opener at the Cotton Bowl last week, she found the back of the net for her first professional goal.
“You could not have wrote that script any better, could you?” said Dallas Trinity Head Coach Pauline MacDonald. “I think that Lexi just has a lot of composure. She’s a young player, she’s been a top player in the college game, but her composure in the goal is second to none. I think she is gonna bring something really different.”
Missimo finished the match with an 83% passing accuracy, two duels won, two clearances and one tackle.
Parker Goins – Tampa Bay Sun FC
Goins was one of the most experienced signings that Tampa Bay added to its roster over the break. The Arkansas Razorback spent the last three seasons with the NWSL’s Racing Louisville FC where she made 31 appearances and recorded four goals.
Her skills in front of goal have translated immediately since joining the Sun. After subbing in at halftime in the match against Dallas, she netted her first goal in her debut with her new club in the 50th minute to earn the side a valuable road point.
Laurel Ansbrow – Fort Lauderdale United FC
The North Carolina native made her way down to the Sunshine State last month after signing with Fort Lauderdale United. Ansbrow was coming off an NCAA College Cup appearance with Wake Forest, where she led the backline to a historic season conceding the fewest number of goals in program history (11).
The center back made her professional debut and played every minute of the Florida Derby early this month. Ansbrow provided the assist on Jasmine Hamid’s opening goal while also maintaining a 95% passing accuracy rate and recording five clearances.
Jenna Butler – Carolina Ascent FC
Entering the spring as one of the best defenses in the league, Carolina Ascent boosted its backline further with the addition of NC State alum Jenna Butler. The defender reunited with her fellow Wolf Taylor Porter and other teammates from Carolina Ascent’s USL W League team from last summer.
Butler also played all 90 minutes in the Ascent’s victory against Lexington, contributing to the team’s first win since November 3. She also recorded 10 clearances on Saturday, tied for fourth-most made by a defender in a single match this season.