Swaby Intersecting Club and National Soccer Glory

International soccer is by far one of the most competitive outlets in the sporting universe. The game's worldwide flavor provides a constant influx of elite talent, and its two-pronged approach contrasts clubs of mixed nationalities against the very identity of a country. It provides very unique sets of challenges to an athlete who grew up dreaming of glory in both a Champions League and the World Cup.

Former Boston College women's soccer captain Allyson Swaby finds herself right in the middle of that competition. As a professional athlete in Iceland, she finds herself competing for the right to promote into the country's first division. As a member of Jamaica's national team, she's also competing for a chance to appear on the game's grandest stage in the World Cup.

"I knew I wanted to play internationally and get an experience where I am able to travel and see new places while playing soccer," Swaby said. "The process was stressful at times, but there was an opportunity to play in Iceland that came through my agent. I flew here four days after graduation (from BC) and one week after getting home from a Jamaican training camp and competition for two weeks."

Swaby is now a member of Fjaroab/Hottur/Leiknir, a women's team in the Icelandic soccer pyramid's second division. It's a joint venture from three men's teams located in Egilsstaoir, a town of just over 2,300 residents located on Iceland's eastern side. It's currently one of eight teams in the 2. Deild kvenna, where the top two sides receive promotion to the 1. Deild kvenna, which in turn promotes teams to the top-tier Urvalsdeild kvenna.

"There is definitely a different style of play (in Iceland)," Swaby said. "Players in the United States rely on athleticism more than (they do) in Iceland; it's a more tactical style of play (internationally) that involves longer build-ups. Playing here has challenged me to change my style of play to be more mindful and less reliant on athleticism. I think that will be very beneficial for my overall game play. I've learned how to play with a set of players that have different attributes and playing style. I think that's making me more versatile."

It's a welcome challenge for a former Eagle who developed a reputation as one of the nation's toughest defenders. Swaby played over 1,800 minutes for BC last fall, starting every game. She played every minute in all except for three of the Eagles' 20 matches, playing over 90 minutes three different times, including 120 minutes against Virginia Tech.

Swaby completed a career built on her defending capability and dependability. Recruited out of West Hartford, Conn. and William Hall High School, Swaby made an immediate impact in her freshman season. She started and played all 19 games, earning 2014 All-ACC Freshman honors. She sustained an injury during 2015's sophomore campaign that kept her out of three games, but she still started 14 of BC's 17 matches and scored the game-winning goal in an early-season matchup against Columbia.

She didn't miss any time after that. Swaby played in over 3,300 minutes over the next two seasons, starting and appearing in all 37 games as a junior and senior to finish her career with over 6,300 minutes played. She scored an assist in 2018's season opener against James Madison, her last point for the Maroon and Gold.

"The people around you really make it worth it (to play at BC),and it always reminds me why I started playing the game, even when things might seem too difficult" Swaby said. "I've taken away a great network of people that will support me and help me to the best abilities in any future endeavor whether they involve soccer or not.

"I remember the recruiting process is about trying to find the perfect balance of academics, soccer, proximity to home," she continued. "For someone considering Boston College as a school, I would tell them the center of BC's programs are (its) great people. Players look for a system that is there to support them as people - not just soccer players - and I think that's central to BC."

But Swaby's story isn't that cut and dry. It would be fine and good if it were just a story about a player signing a professional contract, especially one of her caliber. Remember, though, that international soccer is about two different worlds. Playing for a pro club is one thing, but it's also about playing for national pride.

That's where her story starts to both veer apart and intertwine together. Swaby's parents are Jamaican natives, which in turn classifies her as eligible for the country in international competition. It's a unique opportunity, one she nearly accomplished in 2015 when she was invited to play for Jamaica during Olympic qualifying. But she didn't feature into the lineup, and Trinidad and Tobago eliminated Jamaica during the Final Round in the Caribbean Zone.

That's changed in 2018. Swaby is now a featured back for Jamaica, a country vying for its first-ever qualification to the World Cup. The Reggae Girlz recently won Group B in Haiti to advance to the Final Round, which it will host at the National Stadium in Kingston. If Jamaica can finish in the top three, it will advance to the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship in the United States. The top three teams from there then earn qualification to the World Cup, while fourth place heads to the Confederation Playoffs.

"We played in front of a sold-out crowd in Haiti of nearly 12,000 people," Swaby said. "That's the largest platform I've ever played on. It was very unique and an indescribable experience. There is a sort of passion that people evoke when they cheer on their country, and I felt incredibly proud to represent something so important to my family and other Jamaicans."

It's a long way from Chestnut Hill, and the jersey colors changed from the familiar maroon and gold. But in many ways, Swaby remains an Eagle at heart, playing with a spirit fostered through four years at Newton Campus' stadium.

"My friends and family are obviously very excited for me," Swaby said. "They were always encouraging even when I doubted myself, and I think they wanted to see me take soccer as far as possible. Leaving the United States has been a huge change of speed, but the season is short so I've been able to see this as a small step along a longer journey."

The 2. Deild kvenna season is underway in Iceland and will run for 15 matches. Jamaica, meanwhile, will kick off the Final Round in August when it plays Antigua and Barbuda. The group also includes Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Bermuda.

Swaby Intersecting Club and National Soccer Glory

Players Mentioned

Allyson Swaby

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