Vlatko Andonovski doesn’t sound like a man who is close to giving Mia Fishel a U.S. women’s national team call-up.
The USWNT head coach was asked about the Tigres star after naming his 23-player roster for his team’s September friendlies against Nigeria.
Andonovski was blunt when he said he hadn’t been in contact with her, adding his belief that there are players in the NWSL who are performing better than the Liga MX Femenil striker.
“I have not had a conversation with Mia,” Andonovski told reporters on Monday. “We do follow her form and her performances. But I also have to say that there are a lot of players in NWSL that are performing as good or maybe better than Mia that we’re very happy to see.
“Ultimately, that’s what raises the level of play for everybody, for the whole [NWSL], and helps the players that are in our camp, that are in our environment perform or prepare even better.”
Fishel’s move to Mexico
Fishel made a surprising decision in January when she opted to join Tigres instead of the Orlando Pride, who had selected her fifth overall in the NWSL draft.
It was an unprecedented step for a player considered one of the top prospects in the U.S. system, and one who had been called into the senior national team while still a star at UCLA.
The 21-year-old has adapted quickly to life in Mexico, scoring eight goals in the regular season and four in playoffs in her first season.
This season Fishel has picked up right where she left off, tallying seven goals and three assists in eight appearances in the Apertura.
Though she has scored throughout her time in Mexico, Andonovski said he was still looking for more consistency from the forward.
“Going back to Mia, like I said, we have not been in contact and she does need to continue playing well and show consistency and for more than two or three games — a consistent 10-15 games, to prove that she belongs on the best team in the world,” the coach said.
“Other than that, no player who’s playing at a high level for their club, whether that’s in the NWSL or anywhere outside of the NWSL, is out of the picture for selection for camps or matches.”
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