Boston Legacy FC Player Watch: Traoré Stars in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations
Boston Legacy’s signings have a busy few months ahead of them before joining the team for preseason next year, as they will all be on loan to different clubs.
Boston Legacy’s signings have a busy few months ahead of them before joining the team for preseason next year, as they will all be on loan to different clubs. Though Laurel Ansbrow (Fort Lauderdale United FC) and Emerson Elgin (Tampa Bay Sun FC) have less than a month before the USL Super League kicks off on August 23, Aïssata Traoré (FC Fleury 91/Mali WNT) and Annie Karich (Club América) have already started their summer with some minutes.
Aïssata Traoré
Traoré was called up for the Mali senior team to compete at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which kicked off July 2 in Morocco. Mali was grouped with South Africa (reigning champions), Ghana, and Tanzania. The Eagle Ladies ended the group stage with a 1-1-1 record before ultimately falling to Morocco in the quarterfinals.
Traoré started all four games and played as a No. 9 in the three group stage matches.
Mali started the tournament with a 1-0 win against Tanzania. The forward took one shot in the box and won several free kicks but was ultimately unable to find the back of the net.
The forward was the star of the show against Ghana. The Black Queens scored within six minutes, and Traoré responded by converting a through ball early in the second half. The equalizer and resulting point put Mali second in the group.
The match against the defending champions proved a battle for the Malians. South Africa won 4-0 after thrashing the Eagle Ladies in the last group stage game. Though the defeat knocked Mali down to third, the team was still sent through to quarterfinals.
Mali was unable to subdue the host’s offense in the quarterfinal, falling 3-1 to the Moroccans. Traoré created a few chances, but the team’s efforts were futile until the end of the game. Mali was awarded a penalty in stoppage time due to a handball in the box. Traoré took the penalty, slotting the ball into the bottom right corner with her right foot. This was the second time in team history that Mali made it to the quarterfinals.
Now that the tournament is over, Traoré plans on preparing for the next step in her career and setting her sights on Boston.
“It’s not just a change of club—it’s a change of continent, culture, and rhythm,” she said in a CAF profile. “But I’m ready. After this tournament, I’ll take the time to fully process everything.”
Annie Karich
Karich made her Liga MX Femenil debut against Cruz Azul on July 13, nearly two weeks after Club América announced her arrival.
The defensive midfielder joined a depleted roster marred by injuries (eight are currently injured) and player departures, leading Coach Ángel Villacampa to play her out of position as a center back. Karich played the full 90 for both games.
Karich has much experience playing in the back line; she mainly started as a defender in her first season with SC Freiburg, and she was named her conference’s defensive player of the year in her last year at Santa Clara University.
América beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in its first game of the season, but the opposing team gave her a warm welcome to the league. In addition to knocking her down twice at the start of the first half, Aerial Chavarin, Cruz Azul’s all-time leading goal scorer, tested Karich’s speed and defensive skills throughout the game. The two took turns stealing and recovering the ball until the end of the match. Chavarin ultimately got the final say, beating Karich to the ball and heading it in at the 94th minute.
The Eagles faced Club Tijuana for its second game, winning 2-0. The Xolas did not present a challenge to América’s defense apart from a first-half penalty kick that goalkeeper Sandra Paños saved. The three points put América at the top of the standings with 15 games to go in the regular season.
The team got its third consecutive win this past Sunday against Club León, serving a 3-0 defeat. Aside from putting up a solid performance on the back line, Karich nearly scored in the second half, but it was disallowed for kicking the ball out of the goalie’s hands as she rushed the net.
Karich may be able to play in her natural defensive midfield position soon now that defender Jordan Brewster has joined the team on loan from Bay FC.