Written by: Ken Garner, Southeast Soccer Report
The two-time Women’s Professional Soccer League national champions played in other leagues the past four seasons. On Sunday, the pro-am organization held tryouts for its senior and academy teams.
Developing professionals
Both played for Pensacola FC, which has been one of the South’s most successful women’s pro-am teams since 2011 (see brief profiles of Kanu and Sams below).
On Sunday, more than 50 players gathered on a windy but otherwise perfect spring-like day to audition for a spot on the Pelicans’ women’s teams, many hoping one day to join Kanu, Sams and other PFC alumnae who’ve gone on to professional careers.
“This isn’t high school; this isn’t college,” PFC men’s senior team coach Dean Logan told the girls. “This is to prepare you to play at the highest levels.”
Logan was an assistant coach for the 2019 women’s team that won the Pelicans’ second national championship. Of the 28 women on that team, Logan said, 15 played professionally and 11 (including Kanu) still are being paid to play.
