What will Sam Coffey bring to Manchester City?
The U.S. women's national team midfielder is heading to the WSL after four years with the Portland Thorns
In the absence of the USA’s true leader, Naomi Girma, whose injury issues since her blockbuster move to Chelsea in January 2025 have limited her influence, there has been another skipper brewing in the heart of the American midfield.
That captain, that consistent voice and performer, is Sam Coffey.
On Wednesday, Manchester City confirmed the signing of the Portland Thorns midfielder in a deal worth around £600,000. Her contract will run until the end of the 2028-29 WSL season.
Coffey is the latest elite American import into Europe. With the USA’s other top stars — Girma, Alyssa Thompson, Cat Macario, Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Lily Yohannes — already all playing for Champions League clubs.
Outside of the NWSL-based ‘Triple Espresso’, the USA’s all-star frontline of Mal Swanson, Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman, it is fair to say that the best American players are opting to leave the states once in their early-to-mid twenties.
So, let’s take a look at what Coffey brings to Manchester City.
