Kaylin Williams’ Unorthodox Journey To Champions League Goalkeeper

When Kaylin Williams left Kansas City for Shkodër, Albania, she was at a crossroad in her career. Stay in the United States and put the dream of professional soccer on the back burner, or accept an offer on the table to play professional soccer in Albania… what’s a 15 hour flight, anyway?

Williams was in contact with KFF Vllaznia through an agent that helped the club find international talent. Vllaznia was in need of a Goalkeeper for the upcoming Champions League campaign, and the agent knew that Kaylin could be a viable option. Williams was fresh off of winning the UWS Central Conference Goalkeeper of the year after only allowing 4 goals in 7 games and was looking to take the next step in her career. She forged a reputation for herself in the UWS and was itching to to find a way into professional soccer.

The problem is… there is a missing step.

Kaylin’s story is echoed by many budding professional women’s soccer players, not everyone can play in the NWSL and there are just not enough opportunities to continue in the sport domestically. The UWS is still a pro-am league, and while it is a vital part of the US Soccer pyramid for college players, post collegiates, and future pros, it has a clear set of limitations. Hopefully, that is remedied through projects like the upcoming USL Women’s Super League but for now, players will have to take a leap and leave their home behind if they want to continue in the sport professionally.