Cardiff City Women’s Cerys Pinchard secures scholarship in the United States

Cardiff City utility player Cerys Pinchard has earned a scholarship that will see her move to the United States.

The 20-year-old, who joined in 2019 from Caldicot Town, will move on from the Bluebirds after two seasons to play her football with Central Methodist Eagles in Missouri.

Her new university boasts a number of notable sporting alumni including former UFC fighter Michael Johnson and footballer Murun Altankhuyag who is a Mongolian international. 

Commenting on her move to the States, Pinchard said:  “I want to play college soccer as it would provide me with an opportunity that I wouldn’t have in the United Kingdom.

“I want to compete and train in a professional and competitive environment.

“I want to be able to platform my footballing ability by competing with the best And to be seen by higher teams, I want to get my name out there and create a career for myself.”

In her two seasons with the Bluebirds, she made a total of 33 appearances and was part of the team that reached the Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup final this season.

Prior to playing for Cardiff City, Pinchard played for Caldicot and was an SWFA Cup winner with the Monmouthshire-based side. Her performances saw her named Player of the Season by both her manager and her peers.

Newport-born Pinchard is part of a family that is engrained in Welsh football. Cerys alongside Matthew runs Pinchard Soccer School, providing coaching opportunities at a number of age-grade levels.

Through her experience with the Soccer School, Cerys is a UEFA B Candidate coach and has been involved since she was 16-years-old. 

She is not the only WPWL player to recently make the move to the States. Earlier this year, Cardiff Met WFC’s Nealy Martin made the move across the pond to join NWSL outfit Racing Louisville. 

(Featured Image: Football Association of Wales)