The Sam Mewis Effect: USWNT Star Is Thriving For Manchester City

When news of Sam Mewis signing with Manchester City broke back in August, it sent NWSL fans everywhere into a frenzy. In only three seasons with the North Carolina Courage, Mewis had proven herself a highly valuable asset, clocking a grand total of 5,121 minutes of playing time, scoring 14 goals and assisting 11 since 2017.

Still skeptical about her lethality in the midfield? Mewis has the hardware to back it – in her first season with the Courage, she was named to the NWSL Best XI and was a finalist for the NWSL Most Valuable Player Award. Since Mewis’ arrival with the team, the Courage have won three consecutive NWSL Shields in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and most recently were the victors of back-to-back NWSL championships in 2018 and 2019.

Cheers @TheNCCourage fans! We love you! Thanks for the celebration, @budweiserusa. ???? pic.twitter.com/u1leOaiuo4

— Samantha Mewis (@sammymewy) November 2, 2019

Mewis’ stats with the Courage are certainly impressive, and her time with the USWNT has been likewise dominant. In 67 appearances for her country, Mewis has 18 goals, two of which were in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, and 6 assists. Most importantly, she was hoisting the World Cup trophy with her teammates a little over a year ago, sealing her status as a world champion in her fifth season as a professional player… and at only 27 years old.

Sam Mewis and Abby Dahlkemper have only been professional for 5 seasons. In that time they’ve played in 4 NWSL Championship Finals, won three NWSL titles and a won a World Cup.
Both have gone onto become, in my mind, world class in their respective positions too.
Not bad! pic.twitter.com/yc4sah4rtr

— Kieran Theivam (Tayvam) ???????? (@KiersTheivam) October 27, 2019

In terms of Mewis’ move to the Women’s Super League, there had been speculation back in July that Mewis and fellow USWNT teammate Rose Lavelle were headed to Manchester City following the NWSL Challenge Cup. On July 23rd, Meg Linehan, a staff writer at The Athletic, reported that Sam Mewis had already signed with Man. City while Lavelle was still weighing an offer from the club. The headline gained traction immediately and was met with a mixture of shock, excitement, and disbelief, particularly from fans of the North Carolina Courage and the Washington Spirit.

Sources: #USWNT/#NWSL's Sam Mewis signed, Rose Lavelle weighing an offer from Manchester City Women.

New at @TheAthleticSCCR https://t.co/YWvxliHYfH

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) July 23, 2020

A few weeks later, on August 10th, Mewis’ signing was confirmed by multiple sources, Mewis herself included. In a statement to the North Carolina Courage team, staff, and fans, she wrote, “I have grown so much with this team thanks to the constant challenges from the staff, the love and dedication from my teammates, and the unwavering support from our fans. I’m forever indebted to this club for showing me what it takes to win consistently, and I hope that I’ve demonstrated my gratitude over the years,” Mewis continued, “North Carolina will always have a piece of my heart, and I’m hoping there will be an opportunity to return whenever my time in Manchester concludes.”

To @TheNCCourage - my teammates, the staff, our incredible fans - thank you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0O2L3N5C2K

— Samantha Mewis (@sammymewy) August 10, 2020

GET READY! Welcome to City, @sammymewy! ????

???? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/YTpVzXOTFm

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 10, 2020

As you might guess, Mewis’ arrival in the UK was met with monstrous expectations. Would her talents transfer over to her new team? How long would it take for her to find her “groove” in the Man. City lineup? Would she become an integral part of their midfield? Thus far, the answer has been a resounding “yes.” Beginning as early as a pre-season friendly against Everton, in which Mewis scored a goal and recorded two assists in only 45 minutes of play, the American has left quite an early impression.

Watch the full highlights of @sammymewy's debut with -- and first goal for -- Man City here! ????

Mewis featured for 45 minutes in a 4-1 friendly win vs. Everton and also notched two assists ????#ManCity #USWNT pic.twitter.com/Plwi49R1hS

— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) August 23, 2020

With the regular season now well underway, Mewis has continued to exceed the hype, notching two goals for her new club in only five appearances. One of those goals? A game-winner against Arsenal to send Man. City into the Women’s FA Cup Final, of course.

#USWNT's Sam Mewis is on the board for Man City Women! A go-ahead goal in the Women's FA Cup semifinals vs. Arsenal, no less

(via @VitalityWFACup) pic.twitter.com/s3BKKhSz38

— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) October 1, 2020

The question is no longer whether Mewis can be an impact player in the FA Women’s Super League. Already, she’s proven to have not missed a step in her transition across the pond. What remains to be seen is if she can carry her new club when it counts the most and add to the the Blues’ already extensive trophy case. Mewis will get her first chance this weekend: tune in this Sunday as Manchester City takes on Everton in the FA Cup Final at 9:30am EST.

Sunday marks a HUGE day as @ManCityWomen contend for another @VitalityFWA Cup ????????

Here's how we got here! ????

Tune in at 9:30 am ET / 6:30 am PT on Sunday, Nov. 1

????????: ESPN+
????????: @BarclaysFAWSL player#ManCity pic.twitter.com/Wm4sLr8DXW

— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) October 29, 2020

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE FA WSL:

November 7th:

Manchester City vs. Bristol City @ 10:00 a.m. EST

November 8th:

Chelsea vs. Everton @ 7:00 a.m. EST

Manchester United vs. Arsenal @ 7:00 a.m. EST

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Aston Villa @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Birmingham City vs. West Ham United @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Tottenham vs. Reading FC @ 9:00 a.m. EST