The Washington Spirit plan for 2015 took a detour this week when the club learned Natasha Harding will not be coming to NWSL after her P-1 Visa application was denied. The 26-year-old who has scored three times for Wales was announced as an international signing by the Spirit in November.
“It is very sad news, but we will continue to keep Natasha in our plans to possibly join us at some point in the future,” head coach and general manager Mark Parsons said in a statement.
Parsons added that the club hopes to announce two international signings in the near future.
At the draft in January the Spirit traded last year’s leading scorer Jodie Taylor to the Thorns, after which Parsons cited the quality of Harding as one of the reasons he was okay parting with Taylor without receiving an established player back as compensation. The club later agreed to terms with Argentine forward Estefania Banini.
The club did not say why Harding was unable to secure her Visa to play in the United States this season.