Tampa Bay Sun FC’s first three signings included Erika Tymrak, a University of Florida alum who came over from the NWSL’s Orlando Pride after a career that included caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Canadian national team player, and USF alum, Jordyn Listro also last played for Orlando’s NWSL side. Dominique “Domi” Richardson rounded out the initial Sun signing and arrives in Tampa after playing for NWSL’s Gotham FC.
In an appearance on CBS’ “Attacking Third” podcast, soccer journalist and columnist Sandra Herrera told hosts that the Sun signings were the best in the league so far. “They’ve been the team that has been taking the leadership role, they’re in the driver’s sheet showing the league how it’s done,” she added.
And players have come from around the world to play in the Super League and for Tampa Bay Sun FC Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown. At least seven come from Australia’s top pro league, including Western United star Hannah Keane.
Keane was skeptical about a new American league after Schilte-Brown’s initial call. She accepted the offer to be much closer to her parents who live on an island off the coast of Maine (1,600 miles from Florida, compared to the nearly 11,000 to Australia).
“I would much like them to be at some of my games and actually see me in person and not have to wake up at 3 a.m. to watch a game online,” Keane added.
Keane ruptured her patellar tendon last March in Australia ahead of signing with the Sun, but is working to come back by midseason. She’s been happy with the way her physios down under have communicated with Sun FC medical staff during rehab, and said that her new team reacted with positivity when they found out about the hiccup.
“I was like, ‘Hey, this is the reality—do you still want me?,’” Keane told CL. “They were like, ‘Hannah, we know you can do this. You can come back. We still want you here. Even if you’re not on the field every day, you can help us. We believe in you to come back.’"
Have a look at the roster for Tampa Bay Sun FC below.
(Not listed: Midfielder Jade Moore, Defender Jazmin Enrigue Abundis, Cecile Fløe Nielsen)
