Di Guglielmo Dazzles on NWSL Debut: Italian Star Shakes Up Washington Spirit
Lucia Di Guglielmo has made a flying start at Washington Spirit after switching from AS Roma, impressing on her NWSL debut against Portland Thorns despite the narrow defeat. The 28-year-old Italian international, scouted for her technical defending and physicality, joins compatriots like Sofia Cantore in boosting the league's Italian contingent. Teammates including Trinity Rodman and Hal Hershfelt hailed her as a game-saver, with more to come as she settles in D.C..
Di Guglielmo Dazzles on NWSL Debut: Italian Star Shakes Up Washington Spirit
Picture this: a battle-hardened Italian right-back, fresh off years grafting at AS Roma, hops across the Atlantic for a fresh challenge. That's Lucia Di Guglielmo for you, lads. At 28, she's swapped the Eternal City for the nation's capital, signing with the Washington Spirit to test her mettle in the NWSL.
She'd been comfy at Roma for half a decade, but reckoned it was time to ditch the zona di comforto. "I needed to push boundaries," she says, eyes lighting up like she's just nailed a screamer. The Spirit's interest? No brainer. First chats with the coaches had her hooked – shared values, mutual respect, the lot.
Scouting Smarts and Italian Invasion
Spirit sporting director James Hocken knew he'd struck gold. Di Guglielmo's a proper baller: technical from the back, physical enough for the NWSL's intensity. Her Italy caps, including last summer's UEFA Women's Euros, sealed the deal. Hocken mixed old-school eyeballs with data wizardry to spot her.
She's not the lone Italian pioneer. Sofia Cantore blazed the trail in 2025, the first Azzurra in the NWSL. Then Lisa Boattin rocked up at Houston Dash, and now Di Guglielmo joins the party. From facing Cantore's Juventus in Serie A Women, they're now squadmates. "We've both battled injuries, but graft pays off," Di Guglielmo grins. Cantore even nudged the door wider for her compatriots.
The Spirit had been tracking both during club and international duty. Euros performances? Chef's kiss. "These girls can slot right in and boss it," Hocken beams.
Debut Fireworks at Rowdy Audi
No jet lag excuses here. Di Guglielmo debuted in the home opener versus Portland Thorns, earning a start and bossing it despite a 1-0 L. Fans at the brilliantly-named "Rowdy Audi" had her in their hearts from minute one – stellar tackles, silky ball progression.
Post-match, she was buzzing: "Everything's quicker, tougher, but I love it. Give me time, I'll hit top gear." Stats back it: 8/11 duels won, key in build-up and shutting shop. Teammates couldn't shut up about her.
Trinity Rodman was gobsmacked: "Halftime, I told her that's the maddest defending I've seen. Saved our bacon loads." Hal Hershfelt chipped in: "That last-ditch toe-poke in the box? She crushed it, four times at least."
Never been to D.C. before – just a New York family jaunt – but she's all in. Loves diverse squads, like Roma's global mix. "It's travel without the passport," she laughs. Expects to soak up the culture, bond with the lads (er, lasses), and thrive.
Hocken's punt looks spot on. Di Guglielmo's just the tonic for a Spirit side eyeing silverware. With her Euros nous and debut swagger, expect more headlines. NWSL, meet your newest Italian import – she's here to stay.
(As reported by SI Soccer)