For club and country, Tierna Davidson is the model of a complete defender whom two of the sport’s most decorated coaches, Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós and United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes, lean on.

After missing nearly a year due to her recovery from a torn ACL, Davidson is back in the fold with Gotham and the USWNT.

Both Amorós and Hayes are massive admirers of Davidson’s technical, mental and leadership qualities.

Gotham FC Head Coach Amorós Calls Davidson “One of the Most Technical”

“Tierna’s such a special player that when she’s on the pitch, she’s probably one of the most technical players that play in the backline, probably in the world,” Juan Carlos Amorós said earlier this season. “On top of that, she’s left-footed, which is also even more rare. She’s a great leader on and off the pitch. I think she’s so calm on the ball, but I think she’s just a different player for me.

“I would say – I don’t want to put pressure on her – but I think she’s probably the best left-footed center-back on the planet for the way I see the game.”

USWNT Head Coach Hayes Counts on Davidson’s Leadership

Hayes recently called Davidson into the USWNT’s 26-player training camp roster ahead of three upcoming international friendly matches against Japan. The first match of the series will take place at San Jose’s PayPal Park on Saturday, April 11.

“I really rate Tierna Davidson as a football player,” Hayes said on April 1. “I value those qualities, especially as a left-footed center-back. “What a long journey she’s been on. [She’s] shown once again not just her resilience but her determination to bring her back to a great level.”

Hayes spoke of the valuable input that Davidson provides as a two-way sounding board and highly-trusted member of the USWNT squad.

“I am super excited for lots of reasons,” Hayes stated. “She’s a great player, but she’s such a brilliant person. She’s a deep thinker and someone who challenges me, and I enjoy her company. I’m really, really looking forward to bringing her back in.”

The 27-year-old will see match action as Hayes put it, “a limited capacity” during the three international friendly matches occurring on April 11 in San Jose, April 14 in Seattle and April 17 in Commerce City, Colorado.

Davidson has already appeared in four matches for Gotham, totalling 118 minutes. She is edging closer to being available for the starting XI.

The sooner Davidson is fully back up to speed, the sooner that Gotham and the USWNT will benefit from her steady presence and composure in the heart of defense.

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