Allen assisted the Canadian under-17 group get approved for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup last October in India, where she began all 3 video games and scored an objective.
Canada coach Bev Priestman says the teen advises her of a young Janine Beckie.
“She had a really good run for the under-17s,” Priestman said recently in revealing her lineup for the April worldwide window. “Again you talk about the future Janine-type player, I think Amanda Allen has an engine and a similar profile. It’s just how soon will she be able and ready, but the door again is open there.”
Haley Carter, Orlando’s vice-president of soccer operations and GM, sees Allen as a good fit in a franchise seeking to look after the future while intending to master today.
“She is a young talent but it’s clear to us, it’s clear to Bev, everyone in the Canadian program, that her ceiling is tremendously high,” said Carter.
“Yes it’s pro sports so we need to drive and get results right away,” Carter included. “But Seb (coach Seb Hines) and I and the rest of the staff really prioritize the development of players. That’s something that historically the league has struggled with.”
Orlando isn’t the only NWSL group seeking to get young skill. The San Diego Wave and Washington Spirit each signed 15-year-olds in March in forward Melanie Barcenas and midfielder Chloe Ricketts, respectively.
Angel City FC made 18-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson the youngest draft choice in NWSL history, taking her very first total in the January draft. Thompson chosen to turn professional instantly instead of go to Stanford.
Portland signed 15-year-old midfielder Olivia Moultrie in June 2021.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that we’re moving in that direction,” Carter said of signing such teenagers. “I think it’s a reflection of the direction that professional women’s sports in general, not just soccer, is heading.”
And while “age is just a number,” Carter says groups have a responsibility to support such young skill off the field in addition to on it.
Carter, a previous gamer, coach and U.S. Marine, says she anticipates dealing with Canada Soccer “to ensure that we’re all on the same page and aligned with her development and what’s best for her long-term.”
“Canada is going to have an exceptional talent moving forward,” included Hines.
Allen made her senior worldwide launching in November, coming off the bench in the 71st minute in a 2-1 win over Brazil in Santos.
She signs up with fellow Canadian Jordyn Listro, a midfielder, on the Orlando lineup. Former Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod, now with a group in Iceland, was with the Pride from 2022 to 2022.
Allen says she selected Orlando after fulfilling the staff and gamers.
“it just felt like the right environment and the right time,” she said.
Allen, who won the League1 Ontario title in 2015 with Canada Soccer’s NDC Ontario developmental group, took a look at participating in Syracuse University prior to choosing to go directly to the professional ranks.
Allen explains herself as an attack-minded gamer who enjoys to handle protectors.
“Even at such a young age, she has the ability to dribble and drive past defenders. And the confidence as well,” said Hines. “She’s showed already in our environment that she plays with no fear.”
Allen matured a Manchester United fan with Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford as preferred gamers to enjoy.
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This report by The Canadian Press was very first released April 3, 2023
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
