Morgan Proffitt is back in the National Women’s Soccer League.
After spending the second half of last season playing in the Czech Republic, the former Columbus North and Marquette standout returned to Columbus. She recently signed with Reign FC, based in Tacoma, Washington, and flew out earlier this week to begin training with the team.
"I knew coming back home I didn’t want to go back overseas," Proffitt said. "It was a really cool experience, but the way things were organized wasn’t really ideal. I learned a lot about myself, but I’m excited to be back in an English-speaking country and playing alongside the best players in the world."
Proffitt was drafted in the 12th round by the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars in 2017. She played the first half of that season with them before being picked up by the Washington (D.C.) Spirit.
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After playing the second half of the 2017 season and the first half of the 2018 season with the Spirit, she asked for her release and signed with Slavia Praha, a Champions League team based in Prague, Czech Republic.
While in Europe, Proffitt received a text message from the owner of Reign FC. But she didn’t get the message until she returned to Columbus in November and switched her SIM card.
The Reign made an offer about a month ago, and Proffitt signed with the team.
"I was viewing all my options and wanted to make sure I made the right decision," Proffitt said. "Of all the teams in the NWSL, Seattle is always one that has been on my list. The coaches out here are great, and West Coast soccer is great. The West Coast is always known as being soccer-oriented, and it’s really pretty out here. I saw a whale today — not something you see in Indiana."
Reign FC formerly was known as the Seattle Reign, which won NWSL championships in 2014 and 2015. The team moved about 45 minutes south to Tacoma and was renamed Reign FC.
"They hooked us up with super nice apartments on the water where a lot of us will be staying," Proffitt said. "It’s very professional here, and I’m excited for the season to start."
Reign FC’s first preseason game is March 16 at UCLA. The team opens the regular season April 14 at the Houston Dash.
“I’m looking forward to working with Morgan this season,” Reign FC coach Vlatko Andonovski told reignfc.com. “She’s a talented player with a lot of potential and I know she’ll be a valuable addition to our midfield.”
Reign FC features U.S. Women’s National Team players in forward Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Allie Long.
"I think going in, I’m obviously going to earn my time," Proffitt said. "I’m excited to do that. Preseason is a time for everybody to mesh and prove myself."
