Portland Thorns star Deyna Castellanos ‘trapped’ in the US

Not all that glitters is gold in the NWSL, one of the most important leagues in women’s soccer as the political situation in the United States currently has complicated travel for some of the foreign players playing there during the current international window.

This is the case of Venezuelan Deyna Castellanos. The Portland Thorns player has not traveled with the Venezuela national side during this FIFA window for fear of not being able to re-enter the country where she resides.

“I don’t know when it will be safe to travel”

Castellanos

“I’m sad I couldn’t go with the national team, but I think staying was the right decision. I don’t know when it will be safe to travel. The political situation in Venezuela is very complex, and I have responsibilities here,” she explained via her X/Twitter account.

“I have a contract here and, of course, I can travel, but not knowing if I’ll be able to return is quite terrifying, not just for me, but for several players in the league,” she admitted. Currently, the former Atlético Madrid player is awaiting the new US immigration measures.

“I can travel, but not knowing if I’ll be able to return, and that’s pretty scary, not just for me.”

Castellanos

She’s not the only one affected by this situation. The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) commented on this situation stating: “Deyna Castellanos, Barbara Olivieri, Marianyela Jiménez, and Gabriela Angulo will miss the FIFA friendlies against Panama due to “immigration decisions related to immigration issues,” the statement said. All of them play in the NWSL.

Zambia also impacted

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) also said that four of its internationals who play in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) will not travel to China for upcoming matches.

FAZ said in a statement last week that Barbra Banda, Rachael Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda will miss the Yongchuan International Tournament due to “additional travel measures introduced by the new administration” in the United States.

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