Women's football: Rachel Yankey backs American dream
Wednesday 21 January 2015 22:18, UK
Arsenal star Rachel Yankey has urged players to follow in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard and play in America.
Yankey had a spell at the New Jersey Wildcats, where she won the 2005 Womens Soccer League Championship.
The England international said she enjoyed her time in the US and would recommend players challenge themselves in the league.
Speaking on the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ, she said: “It was a brilliant experience, I was asked to go out on loan after the 2005 European Championships.
“I played a few games and ended up winning the championship. Women’s football at that time was seen as the more dominant sport, which was quite strange for an English person to see that.
“I enjoyed my experience, the way the train, the professionalism. I think it’s a great move. It’s a different football challenge and way of life.”
With Gerrard signing for La Galaxy, Major League Soccer has been tipped to grow in popularity but Yankey believes football will not overtake sports like baseball and basketball in the States.
“Since Beckham and other players, American coverage of football over here is massive so they know the players," she said.
“I don’t know about exploding, because their main sports are baseball, American football, basketball. They see soccer as lower ranked sport, and more of a female sport.
“But definitely making massive signings is proving points to people.”
