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HomeNewsSpring steals: Which winter break additions are shining with their new teams? 
Dallas Trinity FC DC Power FC Features Fort Lauderdale FC

Over the winter break, every USL Super League club signed and brought in new players on loan. While there were a few big names that we knew would make an immediate impact, others have shown themselves to be huge steals just two months into the Spring Schedule. 

Here are our top three spring steals this far: 

Gianna Gourley – DC Power FC

DC Power had the poorest offensive performance during the Fall Schedule. It had a league-worst conversion rate at 4.5% and recorded a league-fewest seven goals through the 14 matches – two of which were penalties, and another was gifted on an own goal. 

The team has already matched that total of seven goals in just four matches this spring, and all-but-one came in the run of play. DC is now averaging 1.75 goals per game this spring, behind only Dallas (2.5) and Carolina (2).  

A large part of this offensive burst is due to Gianna Gourley. We saw a glimpse of the striker’s talent while she was with Fort Lauderdale, but since her loan to the Capitol, she has provided a spark to the team’s floundering front line. Gourley has been ever-present, logging 360 minutes, and now leads DC with three goals, along with one assist and 10 shots, four of which have been on target. 

DC Interim Head Coach Phil Nana has frequently credited Gourley for her effort and skill over the last four matches. Although the team has still struggled to earn the results it would like, it has a lot to look forward to with Gourley now on its side. 

Laurel Ansbrow – Fort Lauderdale United FC

Laurel Ansbrow was fresh off an NCAA College Cup Final appearance with Wake Forest in December before joining FTL UTD this spring. While we saw her make history with the Demon Deacons last season, her short time in the Super League has been just as impressive. 

The center back is averaging a league-high 91% passing accuracy and ranks third among defenders in passes (310) and fourth in clearances (32) this spring. On top of that, she recorded an assist in her first match with Fort Lauderdale and has played all 540 minutes since joining the squad. 

With her center back partner Laveni Vaka out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, the 21-year-old will be the key piece to the team’s backline as it closes in on a playoff spot. 

Camryn Lancaster – Dallas Trinity FC

During the fall, Allie Thornton and Sam Meza were the two stars getting all the attention on Dallas’ offense. Once Meza completed her loan and returned to Seattle Reign, the focus shifted to the arrival of Texas Longhorn and USYNT midfielder Lexi Missimo. That overshadowed the addition of Camryn Lancaster a little, especially with the club announcing her only two days before its first match back. 

Lancaster played 23 minutes in her professional debut against Spokane, but it wasn’t until Dallas’ blowout win over Brooklyn that we saw what the TCU alum was made of. In her first start, she scored in first-half stoppage time and provided the run that led to Thornton’s first goal of the night. Lancaster later doubled her goal count in the following match. 

As another 2024 grad, Lancaster is young but has so much poise and skill in front of goal. All three of her shots have been on target, but she has also created three chances because she recognizes when the better option is to lay it off to her teammates. That high IQ paired with her speed and high press is a nightmare for defenders. 

It took Dallas a few matches to get things going, but it looks like the pieces are starting to click. Whether Lancaster is in the starting lineup or coming in off the bench, she will be an asset to Trinity going forward as it also makes a run for the postseason.