Former Sunderland A.F.C. player Mollie Rouse has signed a deal with Spokane Zephyr FC for the inaugural season of the USA’s brand-new division one status USL Super League.
Mollie Rouse Pens Deal With Spokane Zephyr FC In New USL Super League
USL, Zephyr and Rouse
Central midfielder Mollie Rouse has signed a new contract with Washington’s Spokane Zephyr FC ahead of their inaugural season in the USL Super League.
The USA’s brand new women’s football league makes its debut this summer with US Soccer’s First Division status.
Seven other teams make up the new league in its first-ever season.
Clubs Brooklyn, Carolina Ascent, Dallas Trinity, Fort Lauderdale United, Lexington, Tampa Bay Sun, and DC Power are all also building their teams for this historical kickoff.
Zephyr began signing players in mid-May 2024.
The club’s first deal – was given to Marley Canales, formerly of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Seattle Reign.
Rouse is the 11th player to sign with this brand-new Washington side.
Rouse’s Club Career
UK-born Rouse grew up in Stratford-Upon-Avon, first playing senior-level football with Aston Villa’s U17 squad.
The team won the 2014/15 Centre of Excellence League, coming through undefeated.
Rouse’s adult career began when she signed with Lewes in 2021.
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The 25-year-old then went on to play for the London City Lionesses in their 2021/22 season.
The 2022/2023 season saw Rouse move to Germany to sign for FFC Turbine Potsdam, where she played in 20 matches.
A return to England in 2023 led the midfielder to help Sunderland A.F.C to reach third place in the most recent Women’s Championship.
Playing for England
Rouse was called up to England’s U17 squad in 2013, where she made her international debut.
England reached fourth place in the U17 European Championship that year, with Rouse scoring two goals.
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Rouse was selected to play at the 2018 U20 World Cup, where the team went on to win bronze.
The 25-year-old has earned 24 international caps up to U21 level for England so far.
USA College Career
Rouse has previously played football in the US as a student at the University of Louisville and later in Florida.
She played for the Louisville Cardinals from 2017 to 2018, where she appeared in 20 matches across her two seasons with the team, scoring four goals and two assists.
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Her return to the US came after her World Cup campaign with the England U20s when she played on the team at theUniversity of Central Florida.
Rouse ended her collegiate career with another 19 goals in the bag during her year playing for the UCF Knights.
Kick Off With Spokane Zephyr
Rouse said of her new contract: “I can’t put into words how excited I am to play in a brand-new women’s football league. Not only does it bring more exposure and opportunities for women in sport, it also highlights the continued growth and interest that surrounds it!”
The USL Super League will kick off in August 2024 for the league’s inaugural season, with eight more expansion sides set to join from 2025.
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President of USL Spokane Katie Harnetiaux said: “We think Mollie is just the right fit for Zephyr. She has a tenacity and drive that will help us as we launch this historic season.”
Zephyr will play its first-ever match in the USL Super League at ONE Spokane Stadium in Spokane, Washington, on August 17 against Fort Lauderdale United.
