Mallory Pugh, a 17-year-old high school senior, has decided to skip college and will go directly to the National Women’s Soccer League. By doing so, Pugh permanently gives up her amateur status and college eligibility.
It has been reported that Pugh, who was not part of the NWSL College Draft, will sign a contract with US Soccer and be allocated to the Portland Thorns.
Pugh, a high school senior, had committed to play collegiate soccer at UCLA. She is currently in training camp with the U.S. senior national team in California.
Pugh is a top candidate for the U.S. 2016 U-20 World Cup team. She scored seven goals and four assists in five games at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in December, leading the USA to the regional championship. Pugh is the 2014-15 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
Lindsay Horan, who is also at the senior WNT camp, turned professional out of high school several years ago, signing a contract to play in France with Paris St. Germain. She had committed to play at UNC Chapel Hill.