A new chapter in North America for Wang Frost
Since stepping into South Korea's Sports TOTO club in 2013 and then joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, Wang Frost's path to stay in the world has been like a rippling river, and now she has begun her third leg of the journey - North America. She joined Louisville Athletic of the NWSL, wearing the No. 77 gown, vowing to rejuvenate herself in a foreign land. Talking about her third stay, Wang Frost has a twinkle of anticipation in her eyes, "I aspire to be stronger when I return!"
In joining Louisville Athletic, Wang Frost joined as a free agent. Her former owners, Wuhan Chegu Jiangda, ended their contract with her unconditionally to fully support her in pursuing her dream. Chang Weiwei, the club's general manager and head coach, said, "We unconditionally support Wang Frost's pursuit of her desire to play abroad, and we hope that she will improve herself in a high-level club and give back to her country in the future with better form." Wang Frost also said fondly, "Wuhan Chegu Jiangda Women's Football Club will always be my home, no matter what the future holds, when I return to China, my first choice will definitely be Wuhan Women's Football Club, because this is my root."
Louisville Athletic Women's Soccer, located in Kentucky, is a newcomer to the NWSL and is currently ranked 9th in the league.Although the overall level of the European Women's Soccer League is slightly better, Wang chose the Americas in order to experience a different team style. She described, "I've stayed in Asia and Europe, and I chose the Americas this time because I wanted to see a different team style."
Wang Frost joins Louisville Athletics for another reason: head coach Cam Bjorkgren, who coached the Beijing Beijng Phoenix in 2018-2019, was impressed with Wang Frost. He said, "We are very happy and excited to have Wang Frost join us. This is our second year of playing in the NWSL and we look forward to Wang Frost bringing more goals and assists to help the team achieve better results."
This time around, Wang Frost is eager to challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone. 27-year-old said, "The world is so big, I want to see it. I'd love to see where my ceiling is. I love soccer and I'm willing to work hard for what I love. I have 20 years of playing but I'm also only 27 and still want to progress further. I know my goal is to be able to play in my prime and still have the opportunity to go out and study overseas and be able to 'come back' better, and hopefully come back a little stronger!"
Shui Qingxia, the head coach of Chinese women's soccer team, said that a new environment will bring new challenges and hoped that Wang Frost can adapt. At the same time, she reminded Wang Frost to pay attention to her body and improve her English as soon as possible. Wang Frost revealed: "Director Shui, including the CFA, is very supportive of me and wants me to go out and see more. Director Shui gave me some daily instructions to take good care of myself, and also gave me some technical and tactical matters that I need to pay attention to."
Compared with the first two times she stayed in the ocean, 27-year-old Wang Frost is more mature and more calm. She believes that staying abroad is to have a better self, and to broaden her horizons and vision through staying abroad. Currently Wang Frost has arrived at the Louisville Athletic Women's Soccer Club and met with her new teammates and coach. Before joining, she started learning English online two months in advance.
Since the NWSL doesn't have too strict a cap on jersey numbers, Wang Frost chose number 77. She said, "I am No. 7 in the national team, No. 7 is a lucky number for me, and it has always been No. 7 with me in the national team, and I still want to wear numbers with 7 in training and matches."
Wang Frost's third stay in the world is a search for a stronger version of herself, and serves as a good lead for the Chinese women's soccer players' program to stay in the world. She will continue to challenge herself in the technical and tactical play of the Americas women's soccer team and work hard to realize her dream.
