“This is a kid that’s on the rise,” remarked USWNT icon Julie Foudy while reacting to Ally Sentnor’s first-half performance in the SheBelieves Cup against Colombia. Mind you, this praise came from Foudy even before the youngster struck a wonder goal around the hour mark, marking her debut in spectacular fashion. Months later, the admiration hasn’t faded. This time, the Utah Royals star has drawn comparisons to none other than Lionel Messi—courtesy of another veteran, Tobin Heath.
“I think she’s phenomenal,” Heath said of the U.S. women’s national team and Utah Royals attacker.
“Ally Sentnor is a must-watch. Her rookie season, she was doing things that I haven’t seen anyone do in this league, period. We’ve seen glimpses of it with the U.S. women’s national team as well.
“I’m going to say something very strong right now. I have not seen a woman’s player that has demonstrated Messi-like qualities. The way that I will describe it is the way that she moves, and especially in the pocket, and her ability to have equal amounts of goals and assists, to me, is a trait that I haven’t seen in the women’s game.”
Ally Sentnor is up next!
Tobin Heath gives Sentnor high praise for her Messi like qualities. pic.twitter.com/PB1ggvArDp
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 8, 2025
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