Just over a week since Boston’s first signing was announced, the club has signed it’s second player and the NWSL’s first ever Mali international in Aïssata Traoré. The striker spent last season at FC Fleury 91, in France’s Première Ligue. Traoré helped the team finish fifth, as she tied for the team lead in goals with 9 and was tied for second in assists with 4.
The 27-year old is signed on a three-year deal and will remain with Fleury until the 2026 NWSL pre-season.
Luckily, we’ll be able to see Aïssata Traoré play slightly earlier than we will Annie Karich (Traoré plays tomorrow, July 11 for Mali. We have to wait until Sunday, July 13 for Karich’s debut with Club America).
Signing a first-team international with a decent goal scoring history in a top league is always going to get a good grade from me. She seems like an easy choice to start at striker and depending on her performance for Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations, this may end up being an even bigger deal.
Her defensive metrics look great (which is perfect for how this Boston team is expecting to play). Traoré ranked in the 99th percentile in tackles, 96th in interceptions, and 94th in blocks. If Boston looks to score off the counter, then Traoré’s style of play is perfect.
She scored a brace twice last season on route to 9 total goals. Here is the first brace:
59:45 for the first goal. Great header from a cross, although Stade de Reims was down a player after a red card.
1:12:10 for the second goal of the half. Traoré capitalizes off a poor clearance from the keeper and a great run gets her in position for an easy goal.
Here is the second brace of the season:
1:30:10 for her first goal. This was a great move after receiving the ball off a deflection (pass?) from her teammate. The touch to create space was major.
1:37:38 for her second goal, a penalty kick. Traoré actually draws this penalty and then rolls it past the keeper. Even if the keeper had guessed correctly, it may have been out of reach.
Legacy Weekly 