The Calgary Wild FC will have a familiar face on the pitch through 2028, as captain Meggie Dougherty Howard signed a three-year contract with the club on Aug. 20.

The Florida native, who traded the heat of Tampa Bay for the bitterly cold weather of Calgary last February, said it was the warmth of the team that convinced her to continue for the long term.

“Even prior to coming here and starting discussions with Calgary Wild, there was a lot that was exciting for me about joining this organization, and joining this journey with a new organization and a brand new league. I always felt like there’s such an opportunity here to leave a mark and help impact what’s going to happen here for players way after me,” she said.

Dougherty Howard said that one thing the Wild FC was doing right was making a safe and encouraging environment to grow athletes in the sport.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of clubs and organizations where they’ve gotten it right at times, and they’ve also not gotten it right at times, and being able to experience that firsthand and knowing how that can really affect a player’s journey in the sport is something I feel really passionate about,” she said.

“Trying to make a positive impact in making sure that players have safe environments to play in where they can be the best version of themselves on and off the field—I think Calgary Wild is doing all the things right to ensure that happens. Being able to be here and be a part of that is something I feel really strongly about, was a big factor in my decision to continue here for the three years.”

She said that signing a three-year contract was due to her belief in the Northern Super League (NSL), especially after her time playing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S.

“Having been in the NWSL, I played with or against many of the women who started this league, and I saw their determination on the field, and I have so much confidence in the vision that they have for this league going forward,” said Dougherty Howard.

“I think there’s so much talent in Canada. It’s always been one of the top nations competing in women’s football, and I think it’s amazing that there’s now opportunities for these players in their own country to be able to play, and I think there’s so much talent from other places as well that are going to want to come and be a part of this league.”

Wild FC Head Coach Lydia Bedford said that signing her squad captain for another three years was a massive statement to players and to the other NSL teams.

“When you talk about players committing and staying at a club, I think it just shows everything about the culture and the environment. When your captain chooses to do that, I think it makes your life much easier as a head coach, because Meggie’s commitment will hopefully draw more and more players to this club, and that’s something that makes my life much easier,” she said.

“I already think she’s an amazing player, and I almost want to be able to fast forward three years now and actually see how this journey really goes and how much more we can get out of her as a player on the pitch.”

Rampant speculation about Dougherty Howard returning to the US is untrue

Coach Bedford said the media speculation over the past 24 hours about Dougherty Howard’s future with the Wild FC and why the team was holding a press conference made her chuckle.

“I think many people thought maybe [Dougherty Howard] would leave and go back to the NWSL,” said Bedford.

She said that if competing teams have been doing as much diligence on the Wild, as the Wild have been doing on them, then they would understand the significance of the three-year contract extension.

“They’ll know how big this impact is on the pitch, and for every team in this league to know that we’re keeping our best players and going to keep, continue to grow our depth of our squad, just, I think, shows the statement of intent that we have,” said Bedford.

“This has been a really important building season for us, and we still want to achieve even more this season, like we haven’t stopped yet. As I said to you last week, our eyes are firmly on getting to that championship final in November. But beyond that, we also want to be really sustainable in terms of our performances and how we grow as a team.”

Calgary Wild FC CEO Lara Murphy said that the signing was only going to enhance the team’s strong foundation.

“I think it does send a really strong message that she’s committed not only to the club, the league, but the team and the city as a whole. Being able to show that, not just for Calgary, but all the teams in the league that players of Meggie’s quality are ready to step up and make that commitment speaks volumes to what’s been done thus far,” she said.

“It’s our first year as a league, as a team, but it just really solidifies where we’re making our mark and what this means for the future of the sport, the league, and those young players that will be watching Meggie on the pitch here.”

Murphy said that from a business perspective, it’s a signal to potential partners and fans that the Wild is here to stay.

“Whether it’s from a corporate perspective or young soccer clubs coming out to watch play, it really does give that confidence. I know it made me smile just watching the signing today, knowing that there are other people that will watch and see that this is a huge commitment, and that there’s a lot of wonderful players, but also a bright future for the team here in Calgary,” she said.