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HomeNewsBreaking down USL Super League’s biggest winter moves 
Carolina Ascent FC Dallas Trinity FC Features Fort Lauderdale Lexington SC Spokane Zephyr FC

As the spring season kicks off, which new arrivals could make a big impact for their club? 

Since the conclusion of the USL Super League’s fall campaign, more than 20 players have made moves between clubs or landed in the league for the first time, providing a roster shake-up that each team is hoping can boost their prospects this spring.  

All eight teams saw player movement that will impact their lineups going into the second half of the season. Here are the five biggest signings we saw over the break: 

Riley Parker to Carolina Ascent FC 

In just the second interleague transfer, striker Riley Parker moved from the Tampa Bay Sun to Carolina Ascent. After Parker’s impressive career at the University of Alabama and her pro experience with Racing Louisville FC and Tigres, it seemed she would be a crucial part of the Sun’s attack. However, she did not see many minutes on the field in the fall, especially after the Sun brought in the international talent of Cecile Nielsen and Natasha Flint. Parker made six starts in 10 appearances for Tampa Bay and recorded nine shots and four shots on target, but didn’t find the back of the net. 

The transfer will be a huge boost for both Parker and Carolina. Despite the team’s memorable unbeaten run and third-place position in the standings before the break, Ascent scored the third-fewest goals (14) thus far and netted just one goal in the run of play in its last five matches. Integrating Parker into the attack – and reuniting her with her Alabama teammate Ashlynn Serepca – can bring back her confidence and jumpstart Carolina’s offense to start the spring. 

Lexi Missimo to Dallas Trinity FC 

One of the biggest signings from the 2024 collegiate graduating class was midfielder Lexi Missimo with Dallas Trinity. The Southlake, Texas, native is staying in her home state following a standout career at the University of Texas. Missimo logged 89 appearances and finished as the program’s career leader in points (176), goals (56) and assists (64). Missimo also represented the U.S. Youth National Team 32 times from U-14 through the U-23 level and was most recently selected to the 2025 USWNT Futures Camp. 

Dallas knew how critical it was to bring in a high-caliber midfielder for the spring since Sam Meza completed her loan in December and returned to Seattle Reign FC. Missimo is a clinical finisher who can shoot from outside the box but can also take on defenders 1v1. She’s great on and off the ball and will be an incredible asset to Dallas’ offense alongside Chioma Ubogagu and Allie Thornton. 

Yunaira Lopez, Sintia Cabezas to Lexington SC 

While the Girls in Green were one of the more impressive teams in the league last fall when it came to scoring and offensive production, Lexington struggled defensively and went into the break with a –10 goal differential. The club brought in talent over the last month for nearly every position, but the two most notable additions are to its backline with Yunaira Lopez and Sintia Cabezas.  

Lopez is joining the club from Atletico Nacional in Colombia, and Cabezas is on loan from San Diego Wave FC, but the duo are Colombian Youth National Team teammates. Lopez and Cabezas anchored the defense in the 2024 U-20 World Cup held in their home country and kept clean sheets in the first four matches of the tournament. Having two players with chemistry and reps together can bring cohesion to the rest of the defensive unit for Lexington in the spring. 

Julia Grosso to Fort Lauderdale United FC 

Fort Lauderdale signed defender Julia Grosso after two years with Melbourne City FC and a stint with the Utah Royals at the end of 2024. Grosso recorded two goals and three assists in her 37 appearances at MCFC and earned 2022-23 A-League Player of the Year honors as a rookie along with a 2023-24 Premiers title. The defender also played five seasons at the University of Kentucky, tallying 84 appearances, 5,754 minutes played, four goals and two assists.  

Grosso’s speed and composure on defense combined with her ability to get up the field and produce on offense fits perfectly with FTL UTD’s style of play. Different players have rotated in and out of the outside back position for the team but bringing Grosso into that role will be beneficial for the group on both sides of the ball. 

Ally Cook to Spokane Zephyr FC 

Forward Ally Cook is the latest player to join Spokane Zephyr after spending the 2024 season with the Chicago Stars. Prior to Cook’s professional career, she put herself in the record books at the University of Oregon, with 17 career goals, 39 career points and 146 career shots, and at UCLA, where she helped the team win its second national championship. 

Throughout the fall, Spokane struggled to convert in front of goal and left multiple points on the table in scoreless draws and 1-0 losses. Bringing in a known goal-scorer with strength and aerial prowess could fill in that missing piece and contribute to success for Zephyr in the spring.