American influence is raising the bar at Redditch United Ladies - The Redditch Standard

American influence is raising the bar at Redditch United Ladies

Redditch Editorial 18th Jan, 2017 Updated: 19th Jan, 2017   0

REDDITCH United Ladies have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround this season as they chase a league and cup double and their fortunes have been helped in no small part by the arrival of several American college players.

Standard sports editor Liam Moakes met the latest arrival from across the pond – University of Washington (Seattle) psychology graduate Mckenzie Karas – and Reds Ladies boss Gary Barrell to discuss the mutual benefits the link-up with the Outbound Soccer initiative can provide both the club and the American stars.

Mckenzie, the fourth American to play for Reds Ladies this season after Alex Balcer, Mari Karina Pastor and Val Margerum, made a goalscoring debut in this month’s 1-1 draw against West Midlands Division One South title rivals Worcester United and is determined to play a big part for the Reds both on and off the pitch as she sees out the season at the Valley Stadium.

The Las Vegas-born 22-year-old, who played for the US Youth National Team from 2009 to 2012 and attended an under 23 US women’s national team camp in May, said: “I have just finished at the University of Washington so to have the chance to come to England straight after that is a great experience for me.




“I spoke to Val (Margerum) when she was playing for Redditch and she had good things to say about the club, so I’ve been eager to get started here for some time. I first spoke to Gary in January last year and it was the summer when I committed to coming over.

“I then had a spell playing for FC Kansas City before training with Seattle Reign for three months and now this time in England will hopefully help me develop as a player and give me good life experience as well.


“I am keeping my options open as to what the future may bring, but I would love to continue playing football.”

Gary believes Mckenzie has every chance of playing professional football, whether it be in England’s Women’s Super League, Europe or back in the USA, and also realises what she can bring to the Reds during her time in England.

“Mckenzie can become a pro, whether it’s in the WSL or elsewhere. She definitely has the potential having played for and trained with National Women’s Soccer League teams in the States,” said Gary.

“We have stuck with quality rather than quantity in terms of the American players we have recruited. We would rather have one elite player come across and make a real difference, including having a positive impact on the younger players.

“We have broken new ground by welcoming the American players to Redditch and the club has become the premier destination for women’s football in Worcestershire now. Having someone like Mckenzie here with her pedigree is a real statement of intent and something which inspires the other players.

“The investment in women’s football in the US is massive. They have an unbelievable structure because what is invested in male sport has to be invested in female sport too, so women’s football over there is really benefiting.

“People laughed when I spoke about our five-year plan to become a WSL club, signing American players and training twice a week, but we are making great progress.”

Mckenzie starred as a central defender for the University of Washington’s Huskies team and was rewarded with selection to the All-Pac-12 first team (collegiate athletic conference in the Western US), but she is set for a midfield role with the Reds.

“I really enjoyed my first game and it was a great feeling to score,” said Mckenzie, who began playing football aged nine.

“It’s a different feeling to play in midfield and it will hopefully add more assets to my game, so I’m happy to play there. Gary wants me to drop off and try and pull the strings for the team and it’s a good challenge to have.”

With a League Cup semi-final also on the horizon, Mckenzie and her new team-mates have plenty to play for on the pitch, but she has plenty to offer away from a match day too.

“I’ve always loved helping coach younger players. I did this at college and it’s great to reach out to juniors,” said Mckenzie.

“I am doing the same at Redditch. I coach the under 12s on Fridays and have helped with the county team. I will also be coaching the county under 18 team on a trip to New York in April. It’s really important to give something back and help create a legacy.”

Off the field, Mckenzie has been living with the grandparents of Aston Villa Ladies player Zoe Clarke and she is grateful for their generosity and hospitality.

“Jenny and Phil have been fantastic to me, welcoming me into their home and making me feel at ease. I had my first curry this week too. It was amazing, so I feel like a local now!

“I’ve also had some great days out in the Cotswolds, Stratford and Birmingham, so it’s been great so far, meeting new people and enjoying different experiences. Next month we have our trip to Paris to play a friendly and the team and myself are really looking forward to that.”

Gary hopes the visit to France will be the first of many the Reds Ladies make to Europe.

“We hope to gain a partner club in France and then perhaps Germany, Spain and elsewhere too,” he said.

“It’s important to keep growing the club and this is just one way we can do that.”

Mckenzie has no doubt women’s football will continue its rapid rise to prominence in the UK, although we may have some way to go to match our American friends.

“I was recruited for college football at junior year in the US but now it’s not uncommon for freshman year of high school,” she said.

“The younger the players start, the more developed they become. Grassroots teams in the US train four or five times a week. Parents invest a lot of time and money into the Olympic Development Program (equivalent to county development football) and also the Elite Clubs National League, which is fantastic to see.”

THE REDS Ladies continue their title challenge on Sunday (2pm) when they visit Coventry Development Ladies. Last weekend’s scheduled visit to Marston Green was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

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