Before Alyssa Thompson started banging in goals for Chelsea, she was banging her car into curbs. The 21-year-old American had no problem adjusting to English football, but London's narrow streets? That was a different story.
"I was hitting the curbs on the left side, because I couldn't really tell how far it was," Thompson admits with a laugh. The California native loves driving so much that getting a car was her first priority after joining Chelsea from Angel City FC last September. She picked out a Volvo XC40, the same model she drove back in LA.
Now she's mastered the roads and has a regular routine: grab sushi in Notting Hill after training and cruise around town. When she's not driving, she's enjoying views of the River Thames from her apartment.
On the pitch, Thompson hasn't put a foot wrong. She's been Chelsea's standout player during what's been a rough season for the Women's Super League champions. With eight goals in all competitions, she's the team's top scorer and has missed just two matches since her reported $1.45 million transfer.
That's pretty impressive when you consider the chaos swirling around the club. Chelsea lost consecutive league matches for the first time in 11 years back in February, effectively ending their title hopes. Then longtime head of women's football Paul Green suddenly departed after helping win 19 trophies over 13 years.
Bringing Positive Energy During Tough Times
Thompson says being new to the club actually helped her support teammates during the slump. "This is a club that is used to winning, is used to having trophies, winning the league," she explains. "I feel like I have a different perspective because I'm coming in new."
The move to London meant leaving behind her comfort zone in LA, where she played close to home and alongside her sister Gisele, who also plays for Angel City and the USWNT. "I miss the weather in LA and just having banter with Gisele," Thompson says.
But the independence has been good for her growth. She's had to figure things out alone, from setting up wi-fi to putting air in her tires. "When I'm uncomfortable, I know that I'm growing," she says. That mindset is paying off on the field too.
Thompson came to Chelsea chasing trophies, something that eluded her at Angel City, where the team never finished higher than sixth. She just won her first piece of silverware as MVP of the SheBelieves Cup with the USWNT last weekend, scoring the winner against Colombia.
League Cup Final: First Chance at Club Glory
Now she's got her sights set on Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester United. It's her first opportunity to win a major club trophy, and she's locked in. "It would mean a lot to me," Thompson says. "I want to win trophies, and being able to do this with this team at this level is super-exciting."
With Manchester City running away with the WSL title, sitting nine points clear with six games left, Chelsea's six-year reign looks over. But three trophies remain in play: the League Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League. The League Cup may not be the most prestigious, but for Thompson, it represents her first chance at club silverware.
Chelsea face a tough Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal later this month, making the League Cup final an important momentum builder. A win against United, who sit just one point ahead of Chelsea in second place, could shift the dynamic for both teams' remaining season objectives.
Thompson's form makes her a key player for Chelsea's trophy chances. Her ability to thrive under pressure, honed with the USWNT where winning is always expected, has prepared her perfectly for this moment. For bettors watching Sunday's final, Thompson's current hot streak and hunger for her first club trophy make her worth watching in the goal-scorer markets.
