Kristie Mewis leaves for Australia

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http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/canberraunited/

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Talented US starlet Mewis signs for United
Tuesday, 1 January 2013 11:35 AM
Talented US starlet Mewis signs for United

Canberra United is pleased to announce its intention to sign USA under-23 international Kristen Mewis as a replacement player for injured midfielder Sally Shipard for the remainder of the 2012/13 Westfield W-League season. Mewis, an attacking midfielder or forward, comes to the club highly recommended and is certain to add more fire-power to the champions as they aim for a place in the finals in defence of the title won in dramatic style last season.

The 21-year-old was a stand-out through the United States age-grade teams captaining her national side in the 2008 FIFA Women’s under-17 World Cup in New Zealand where she was awarded the Bronze Ball as the third best player at the tournament, scoring twice as the USA ended as runner’s-up. These goals were two of nine she notched in sixteen appearances at that level. Naturally Mewis’ progression continued through the under-20 squad where she made 26 appearances and scored six goals.

At Club level Mewis started with Whitman-Hanson Regional High School before being drafted to Boston College Eagles where she has enjoyed a stellar Collegiate career highlighted by an outstanding 2012 campaign that culminated in sixteen goals and twelve assists, becoming only the second Boston player to score sixteen times in a season in the process.

Named Unites States Soccer Federation Young Female Athlete of the Year in 2008, Mewis has electric pace and holds the 300m and 600m indoor track records at her High School completing the 300m in just 42.2 seconds.

“We are delighted to be negotiating with Kristen to join Canberra United and are looking forward to seeing her in action,” Canberra United CEO Heather Reid commented. “She comes to us highly recommended and follows in the footsteps of Taryn Hemmings and Nikki Washington as quick, talented, forward thinking players that are game changers. With Nikki going back to the USA for family reasons and the unfortunate knee injury that has ended Sally Shipard’s season, we had a place available on the roster and are sure Kristen will make a big impression.”

Mewis arrived in Canberra on 1 January 2013 and should be available for United’s home match against Western Sydney Wanderers at McKellar Park on 5th January.

STATISTICS

Name: Kristen Mewis
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Date of Birth: 25 February 1991
Place of Birth: Hanson, Massachusetts
Previous Clubs: SC Scorpions, Whitman-Hanson Regional HS, Boston College Eagle
Representative Honours: USA under-17, USA under-20, USA (National Training Camp)
Notes: Bronze Ball Winner (2008 FIFA under-17 World Cup, New Zealand), CONCACAF Women’s Champions (2010, Guatemala)

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Good luck to her. Does raise a question about the educational part of her experience at BC. Leaving school mid-way through your 4th year is usually an indication that graduation wasn't in the cards. You have to assume that she will be a high pick in the upcoming college draft for the new womens P-League and hopefully she will be back in the US to continue a domestic pro career. However, there is a good chance that top players will be able to make more money over-seas and Mewis' departure may be a forecast of things to come?.

[Unregistered]

Good luck to her. Does raise a question about the educational part of her experience at BC. Leaving school mid-way through your 4th year is usually an indication that graduation wasn't in the cards. You have to assume that she will be a high pick in the upcoming college draft for the new womens P-League and hopefully she will be back in the US to continue a domestic pro career. However, there is a good chance that top players will be able to make more money over-seas and Mewis' departure may be a forecast of things to come?.

Not true - many players leave for the spring of the senior year and then come back the following fall to graduate in December. She won't be playing in the new US league if she has signed though - I don't think.

[Unregistered]

Not true - many players leave for the spring of the senior year and then come back the following fall to graduate in December. She won't be playing in the new US league if she has signed though - I don't think.

The seasons don't overlap. Canberra only has 2 games left in the regular season. Not sure what their playoff set up is, but it is an 8-team league, so probably the top 4 teams and Canberra is currently 5th.

[Unregistered]

The seasons don't overlap. Canberra only has 2 games left in the regular season. Not sure what their playoff set up is, but it is an 8-team league, so probably the top 4 teams and Canberra is currently 5th.

Oh so this is a two game tryout then? It says they are negotiating to sign her which I think might preclude her, no?

[Unregistered]

Oh so this is a two game tryout then? It says they are negotiating to sign her which I think might preclude her, no?

I suppose it depends on the contract, but I would guess she would want to be free to play in the NWSL. I don't think it would be unheard of for players to move between leagues if the league seasons don't cross paths.

[Unregistered]

It looks like she is treating this as training for her NWSL tryout according to this article. This article also seems to indicate she graduated (although I doubt that given her YNT schedule) -

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/spor...101-2c3t0.html

Good luck to her!

[Unregistered]

She hasn't graduated, and probably won't. No big deal really, she is one of a select few female college players capable of making a living from soccer. Not that she will be rich from it, but she can obviously play here, or overseas, for the conceivable future.

[Unregistered]

Not sure of her major. My kid is the same age and only has a semester long internship to complete. May be easy to finish in the off season.

[Unregistered]

Not sure of her major. My kid is the same age and only has a semester long internship to complete. May be easy to finish in the off season.

Maybe BC will give her "credit" for time down under ;) But honestly, school isn't the issue here, as a prior poster pointed out, soccer is where her future rests and hopefully this will be the start of her develloping from a good YNT player into a top international adult star!

[Unregistered]

She hasn't graduated, and probably won't. No big deal really, she is one of a select few female college players capable of making a living from soccer. Not that she will be rich from it, but she can obviously play here, or overseas, for the conceivable future.

She graduated early

[Unregistered]

She graduated early

A $150 game check and free room and board is a pretty good payback on a $230,000 college education investment and the $140,000 her parents dropped on club soccer. Not a bad gig for a few years and then she can come back to the US and be a club coach for $3,000 a season. Free warm up suit and gatorade too!!

[Unregistered]

A $150 game check and free room and board is a pretty good payback on a $230,000 college education investment and the $140,000 her parents dropped on club soccer. Not a bad gig for a few years and then she can come back to the US and be a club coach for $3,000 a season. Free warm up suit and gatorade too!!

When the game is your passion, then I would say she hit the jackpot. She apparently has a degree in the bag and now she can follow her dream. Stop being jealous.

[Unregistered]

A $150 game check and free room and board is a pretty good payback on a $230,000 college education investment and the $140,000 her parents dropped on club soccer. Not a bad gig for a few years and then she can come back to the US and be a club coach for $3,000 a season. Free warm up suit and gatorade too!!

Life isn't all about money. If you had any you'd understand that.

[Unregistered]

She graduated early

No way. She is an education major and that requires a semester of student teaching to go along with the regular course work. Her NT experience/ commitments and BC team travel has her at least a semester behind. Again, no big deal as I don't think the degree was ever the biggest thing for her. Give her credit, since her Jr. year in HS she has faced a level of soccer pressure that is almost unique and she has done a great job working through it.