Former Metea Valley soccer star Nicki Hernandez has never been afraid of adventure.
The Naperville native took a big leap four years ago when she moved to Mexico City to begin her professional soccer career with Club América of Liga MX Femenil even though she spoke little Spanish.
Now Hernandez is joining NWSL expansion team Boston Legacy, which signed her to a two-year contract on Monday.
“I had offers from other teams in the NWSL that were kind of already established who are doing really well,” she said. “But I knew that it would just really help by having everyone kind of on the same page as teammates.”
Hernandez didn’t get any NWSL offers after a four-year college career at Michigan, where she scored 29 goals in 93 games. But her stellar performance in Mexico, where she switched positions from forward to defender and became a regular on the Mexican national team, finally opened eyes.
Hernandez, 26, said she was comfortable in Mexico, which was a big reason why she felt it was time for another challenge. Then Legacy coach Filipa Patão convinced her.
“It’s not like I chose an easy route because I know it’s going to be just as hard to start on this team,” Hernandez said. “But the top reason I came here was because of the coach, Filipa. When I called her on Zoom, she just had an amazing positive energy.
“She cut into me with amazing positive criticism. She showed me things that I needed to improve and things that I’m amazing at. She was showing me videos of my mistakes. That’s exactly what I needed, and that’s something that’s going to help me improve because my goal is to be in the World Cup.”
Qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil has already begun. Hernandez has made 27 appearances for Mexico, helping the team win the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games and starting in Mexico’s historic 2-0 upset of the United States at the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup.
“I need to go to a team that’s going to prepare me for that,” she said. “I don’t want it to be last minute and not feel prepared.”
The NWSL is still regarded as the best league in the world.
“That’s why I moved because I needed somewhere to push me to become better, and it’s my third year of being a defender,” Hernandez said. “It’s kind of a new thing for me, and with the tactics, over the years you have muscle memory, but I don’t.
“So it’s something where I’m trying to learn, and that’s what I’m going to do here. I’m going to play against amazing teams and amazing girls, like Trinity Rodman, who are on other national teams. That will prepare me for the World Cup.”
Hernandez, in turn, will help the Legacy compete in its inaugural season, which begins in March.
“We’re really excited to welcome a player of Nicki’s quality to Boston,” Legacy general manager Domènec Guasch said in a statement. “She’s had a strong college career, has been a consistent presence in a very competitive Club América side, and is a regular with the Mexican national team, including at major tournaments.
“Nicki is a dynamic, hardworking defender who plays with real intensity and brings qualities our fans will enjoy watching. She’s already performing at a high level, but she also has the ambition and drive to keep improving, which aligns well with what we’re building at Boston Legacy.”
Hernandez leaves Thursday for Boston. The Legacy will have three weeks of preseason training in Florida, followed by another week in Spain. World Cup qualifying matches will be interspersed throughout the year.
Hernandez recently spent some time at home in Naperville with her parents and younger sister Olivia, who helped Metea Valley win the 2022 Class 3A state title and recently completed her freshman season at Marquette. They’ll have chances to see Hernandez play over the next two years.
“They’re so excited,” Hernandez said. “My mom was like, ‘You need a two-bedroom apartment because me and your grandma are going to come visit all the time.’”
Metea Valley girls soccer coach Chris Whaley plans to buy tickets when the Legacy play the Chicago Stars in Evanston. Hernandez will be the first Metea Valley graduate to play in the NWSL.
“That’s pretty wild, when you really think about it,” Whaley said. “I’m super excited for her. Just watching her journey over the last few years, you can see she’s just really enjoying herself and getting better and better as a player, which is awesome.
“I’m just so happy that she’s able to keep playing and have a career like this. It couldn’t happen to a better kid.”
Hernandez appreciates the support.
“Especially when I go to Chicago, I already have so many people saying, ‘Yeah, we’re going to come,’” Hernandez said. “It’s really nice.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
