History for Argie-

Before the developments of recent weeks, there were only four New Zealanders plying their trade in the Major League Soccer (MLS) system – Jake Gleeson (Portland Timbers), Kip Colvey (San Jose Earthquakes) and the Vancouver Whitecaps pair of Deklan Wynne and Francis de Vries. But that figure has now doubled in a short space of time with Myer Bevan and Stefan Marinovic adding to the Kiwi takeover at Vancouver, Michael Boxall linking up with Minnesota United and Bill Tuiloma strongly rumoured to be joining Gleeson at the Timbers.

The New Zealand influence is nearly as strong in the women’s game with four current or former Ferns starring in the NWSL – Rosie White (Boston Breakers), Katie Bowen (FC Kansas City), Rebekah Stott (Seattle Reign) and Abby Erceg (North Carolina Courage). Away from those high-profile leagues, there are a couple of others on the books of professional outfits with Craig Henderson featuring for Indy Eleven in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and Chris James recently returning from injury for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the United Soccer League (USL). There are also a myriad of Kiwis in the college system, including Football Ferns Daisy Cleverley (Berkeley University), Martine Puketapu (Colorado University) and Stephanie Skilton (Syracuse University).