Fearless Rachel Daly: The Lioness Ready to Conquer the Women's World Cup

Rachel Daly has had an eventful year. In July, she showcased her skills as left-back in all six games and contributed to England's victory in Euro 2022. Afterward, in August, she decided to depart from Houston Dash in the NWSL and became a member of Aston Villa. Additionally, in May, she achieved the remarkable feat of winning the WSL Golden Boot by scoring an impressive 22 goals, which equaled a longstanding record.

This month, she will compete head-to-head with Alessia Russo for the central striking position in Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses team for the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Her response to whether she believes she can take charge of the offense for her country due to her exceptional performance throughout the season is already well-known - she firmly states that she will play in any position required of her.

Her versatility is her unique selling point, after all.

But how did it come to be that the 31-year-old became adept at playing at both ends of the pitch?

Daly the Leeds, Lincoln left-back

The Journey of Rachel Daly: From Leeds to Lincoln, New York to Houston and Back to the UK

In February 2010, she was listed on the bench for the Premier League Cup victory against Everton. This notable achievement marked Leeds' first and only major trophy to date. Interestingly, this triumph occurred just a month after the club had announced their decision to withdraw their pursuit of joining the ranks of the Women's Super League (WSL) as one of its founding members.

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Daly joined Lincoln from Leeds in 2011

Leeds Beckett University, previously known as Leeds Metropolitan University, expressed their inability to meet the proposed significant budget increase. Nevertheless, Lincoln City Ladies had already secured their place in the remarkable campaign that commenced in March 2011. Subsequently, they successfully recruited various players from Leeds, such as Jess Clarke and Sophie Bradley.

"We brought Rachel on board from York College," recollects Glen Harris, who assumed the role of Lady Imps manager in October 2011.

"Among her tutors was Gordon Staniforth, father of Aston Villa's Lucy Staniforth, whom I was already acquainted with in the football world. After discussing his coaching approach and team structure, we made the decision to secure her signature."

At the time, she was aged between 18 and 19, and what a remarkable personality she had! She predominantly played as a left-back and her self-criticism for making errors often affected her confidence, making it susceptible to fluctuations.

Harris gladly acknowledges that he did not anticipate such significant progress.

"Rachel was an aggressive full-back who constantly aimed to advance, but I cannot claim that she always had the mindset of a center-forward. We were simply content that she could proficiently play as a left or right back and effectively contribute to both defense and offense."

We didn't want to lose her, and there were some who believed she would return after only six months. However, once she began scoring goals at the college level, I started to wonder if she could replicate that success on an international scale - and she has shown that she can. Based on what I have witnessed, her time in America was pivotal in her development.

Having watched footage of her performances in the States, as well as in the WSL, I have been particularly impressed by her exceptional movements. While she has undoubtedly been coached to execute those movements, they now appear to come effortlessly to her.

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Sue Smith, who played alongside Daly at Leeds and Lincoln, recalls that when she joined their training sessions at Leeds, she displayed remarkable composure. Despite being one of the younger players, she demonstrated a consistent level of performance, as if she had always played at that standard.

In hindsight, the potential was evident, although I didn't actively consider such factors during my time on the field.

Our bond developed strongly as she consistently positioned herself behind me on the left, in the instances when I wasn't playing as a central player. Her remarkable adaptability and versatility allowed her to seamlessly transition into the midfield when needed.

Transformation in the States

It was evident that she possessed the traits of an aggressive full-back, constantly seeking to push forward, requiring me to exert my authority and instruct her to remain in a defensive position!

In a June interview with englandfootball.com, she expressed her determination to take a leap of faith, stating: "I realized it was a pivotal moment - a time where I had to make a defining decision. Either I had to pursue my dreams and carve a path for myself, or remain stuck in the same routine."

With a desire to pursue both education and football while seeking a fresh experience, she made the bold choice to depart from Lincoln and enroll in college in America.

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She joined St John's Red Storm team, under the coaching of Ian Stone, after enrolling in a sports management program at St John's University in Queens, New York. A notable alumnus of the university, rapper J. Cole, had graduated from the same institution five years prior.

In a 2020 article, ESPN reported that Stone, an Englishman who was part of Bristol Rovers' youth team in his teens and has been employed at St John's since 1996, reminisced about how he quickly gained confidence in Daly's abilities during one practice session, believing she may be the greatest player to ever represent St. John's University. However, Daly's previous participation in the WSL in 2012 prevented her from competing in college sports during her first year as a freshman, as mandated by regulations.

Upon her return in 2013, she underwent a remarkable transformation from a full-back with attacking aspirations to a striker who appeared to have experience playing up front for years. She showcased her talent by starting in all 21 games that season and surpassing the St John's record with an impressive tally of 23 goals.

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Daly earned her first call-up to Mark Sampson's England squad in December 2013, although she did not make her debut. She continued to be a vital part of the team for the following two years and successfully graduated in 2015. Additionally, she holds the impressive record of being the highest goalscorer in the university's history, having scored 50 goals in only 60 games, along with 11 assists.

During his appearance on the Athleticademix podcast in 2020, Stone discussed his experience working with Rachel Daly, noting that he initially recruited her as a full-back but discovered that she excelled as a centre-forward. Since then, Daly has gone on to represent England in 35 matches and participate in the 2019 World Cup held in France.

'A true pro from day one' - making a name in Houston

Importance of Avoiding Early Position or Style Limitations

"It gave the false impression of my genius! However, this anecdote serves as a valuable lesson on the significance of refraining from confining a player to a specific position or style too soon in their career."

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Randy Waldrum, the head coach of Houston Dash, was in charge when Daly got drafted from St John's.

In January 2016, Houston Dash selected Daly in the NWSL College Draft. The then head coach, Randy Waldrum, placed utmost importance on this decision.

"Observing Rachel's development, we witnessed her remarkable ability to score goals and create opportunities out of thin air," shares the 66-year-old, currently serving as the head coach for women's soccer at the University of Pittsburgh.

Recognizing her potential, I approached our general manager and advocated for allocating an international roster spot to Rachel, convinced of her exceptional skills. True to my belief, she proved to be invaluable to our team, performing remarkably well.

Her work ethic epitomized that of a professional right from the start. She demonstrated genuine humility and a strong emphasis on family values. Diligently devoted to her craft, she tirelessly invests extra efforts and diligently maintains her physical well-being and fitness regime.

Daly's conversion to center-forward had been fully accomplished even before her arrival at the Dash – Stone had ensured that.

However, as she increasingly established herself in the England team under Phil Neville's leadership, the abundance of attacking talent - comprising Ellen White, Nikita Parris, and Jodie Taylor - often meant that her participation in matches originated from a defensive role.

Waldrum, an immensely experienced coach who will also lead Nigeria in the Women's World Cup this summer, comprehended the rationale behind playing her in the full-back position during the early stages. As a coach, he recognized the intention of fielding the strongest 11 players and taking advantage of England's formidable attack. This arrangement provided her with a valuable chance to gain international experience, which was highly beneficial.

"She could be a world-class full-back, if that's where she played all the time. She would excel at that. But she's got more to her game than that.

She has acquired the ability to showcase her creativity while dribbling, manipulate her body to outmaneuver opponents in the penalty area, and uncover subtle methods to gain an advantage for taking a shot. She has evolved far beyond simply being a talented player with speed who can sprint towards the opposition.

Considering her role as a full-back, she would be facing off against wingers and therefore had to acquire the skills of analyzing, predicting, and effectively defending against them. Thus, I firmly believe that her proficiency in this area can be transferred. From a coaching standpoint, it undoubtedly makes her a more desirable choice for inclusion in the starting lineup.

Grief and glory - two bittersweet years

As a player and as a person, I have deep admiration for her. Despite her busy schedule, I make it a point to send her messages and maintain our connection. We share the bond of being instrumental in her breakthrough in the league. However, it is important to acknowledge that she paved her own path and deserves all the credit.

In July 2020, football made a comeback behind closed doors following the initial Covid lockdown. Although the regular season of the 2020 NWSL was cancelled, the Challenge Cup marked a fresh start. Demonstrating her prowess, Daly scored three goals in seven games, leading the Dash to victory and earning herself the prestigious Golden Boot and MVP honors.

By then, she had made 89 appearances for the Dash and found the back of the net 27 times across all competitions within four seasons.

Just over a month later, she embarked on a loan spell with West Ham. Former Hammers manager, Matt Beard, expressed his excitement about acquiring the services of an established England international on a short-term basis, stating, "The chance to have a player of her caliber in our team was too good to resist."

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Daly spent time on loan at West Ham during the 2020/21 season

Daly hit the ground running; in 12 appearances in all competitions, she scored five goals and provided four assists.

The loan concluded in January, and she remained in east London to undergo training with the club before heading back to the US for pre-season training in February. During the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, she participated in all four matches for Great Britain, as Hege Riise's team made it to the quarter-finals.

In terms of results, the 2021 campaign for the Dash lacked a consistent rhythm. However, for Daly, everything changed drastically when her father Martyn unexpectedly passed away in September 2021.

Daly credited his father as the inspiration behind his lifelong love for football, tracing it back to his very birth. "I was born with a natural inclination to kick a ball," he shared, moments after scoring a crucial goal in England's resounding 10-0 victory over Luxembourg, merely nine days following his father's demise. "If it were not for him, I doubt I would have developed such a profound passion for the sport."

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After scoring two goals in a 3-2 victory against the Portland Thorns, she expressed her emotions to the Houston Chronicle the next month, stating, "I couldn't hold back my tears after the match because I know I'll never receive another text from him, saying things like 'Great job' or 'I'm proud of you'."

"It's a difficult reality to face, as I've always cherished his supportive messages after every game. Regardless of the time, he was always there watching."

Daly could have understandably dropped off due to the immense pain caused by the loss of a parent. However, that was not the case.

Instead, she made a remarkable comeback, finishing the 2021 season with four goals in five games. She then went on to start two of England's three games at the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup in February 2022. Continuing her impressive performance, she began the 2022 season with four goals in six NWSL games, which led to her inclusion in the England squad for Euro 2022.

At the home tournament, Wiegman selected her to start at left-back, over Alex Greenwood and Demi Stokes, in each of England's six matches on the way to glory.

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She started every game for Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses during the triumphant Euro 2022 campaign

Smith recalls the extensive deliberation surrounding the matter. "Those who had observed her performance in the United States affirmed her exceptional performance in the forward position. Her agility and speed allowed her to excel and penetrate the defense line, she easily adapts to different play styles, and she demonstrates commendable work ethic. Consequently, it seemed evident that she should be positioned as a number nine."

She excelled in the full-back position. It seemed that Sarina had already determined Ellen White as her starting No 9 and Alessia Russo as the substitute No 9 to secure the game. With intense competition for those positions, Rach effortlessly adapted as a full-back and performed admirably. The priority was to have her on the team, regardless of which position she would be playing in.

A record-equalling return to the WSL

On August 9, 2022, immediately following their victory in the Euro tournament, Aston Villa made the exciting announcement that they had secured Daly's services for a three-year contract. This marked her return to the Women's Super League, a decade after her departure from Lincoln to pursue her American soccer odyssey.

Taking to Twitter, Daly shared an heartfelt letter with the Dash fans, expressing her deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent both the team and the city. She also touched upon the challenges she and her family had faced over the past year, making her journey all the more meaningful.

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Manager Carla Ward expressed her excitement about the move, stating that Rachel is a skilled forward with a successful track record in scoring goals. After impressively performing as a full-back over the summer, she demonstrated that she is an indispensable asset to any team.

"But for us, she is a forward and we can't wait to see her scoring goals."

The Villa fans didn't have to wait too long as she quickly made an impact. On her debut against Manchester City, she scored two goals and continued her impressive performance with a total of 10 goals in all competitions by Christmas, which even included a remarkable hat-trick against Reading in November.

Daly concluded her maiden season in England with an impressive tally of 30 goals in 30 matches across various competitions. Her exceptional performance of scoring 22 goals in the WSL secured her the prestigious Golden Boot and equaled Vivianne Miedema's record from the 2018/19 season. Undoubtedly, Daly proved herself to be the most deserving recipient of the Player of the Season award.

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Smith says the heartbreak of Daly losing her dad will have spurred her on to perform in his honour.

She had a deep connection with her father, which was evident during their time in Leeds. His loss must have been extremely difficult for her. It's clear that in all of her moments of joy, she consistently looks up to the sky.

When she steps onto the field, it's apparent that she possesses an added determination to succeed for the sake of her father. I'm not suggesting that this is her sole motivation, but it undeniably provides her with an additional source of inspiration.

However, her performance has surpassed everyone's expectations upon her return home. Her extraordinary skills and remarkable goal-scoring abilities have left everyone in awe. When asked about her achievements, she humbly credits her team-mates for their brilliance in creating opportunities, but ultimately acknowledges her own prowess in converting those chances into goals.

It is crucial to enter a tournament with a strong goal-scoring record, utmost confidence, and being at the peak of one's abilities – all of which she possesses effortlessly.

The only question now is whether she has done enough to convince Wiegman to allow her to spearhead the Lionesses' attack at the World Cup later this month.

In the Arnold Clark Cup win against Italy earlier this year, Daly showcased her skills by scoring two goals while playing in the middle. She also contributed in the final warm-up match against Portugal, playing the first half of the 0-0 draw. Unfortunately, it appears that there are currently no options to modify the arrangement in order for Daly and Russo to play together.

"After the Italy win, Wiegman mentioned that although we have trained with two centre-forwards, we currently don't have plans to start with two of them based on our playing style," she stated.

With triumphs achieved in three tournaments - the Euros, the Finalissima, and the Arnold Clark Cup on two occasions - in the past 18 months, who dares to doubt the credentials of England's most accomplished manager?

Granting Daly the prestigious No 9 jersey for the competition might imply that her decision regarding the extensively debated conflict has already been firmly reached.

Smith emphasizes the significant impact of receiving the shirt number. "It will serve as a great motivation for her to continue working hard and delivering exceptional performances. I recall my experience in the Euros when I was given the No 11 shirt, which made me aware that I was a guaranteed starter.

Sarina may not see it from that perspective; she will choose the most suitable player for each game. However, this will undoubtedly boost Rach's confidence. If Daly does take the lead in the Lionesses' World Cup opener against Haiti on July 22, it is obvious that she will have deserved the opportunity.

When and where is the 2023 Women's World Cup?

The upcoming Women's World Cup will be the first to be co-hosted, with Australia and New Zealand as the host countries.

Mark your calendars for July 20, as that's when the tournament kicks off. The final match will be held on August 20 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.

The USA are the defending champions and are looking to become the first team in the competition's history to win the tournament three times in a row.