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beth lindop
MANCHESTER — For most professional footballers, the summer break offers the opportunity to travel to luxurious locations such as Fiji or Dubai to relax and rejuvenate before the new season. but for Manchester United goalkeeper Fallon Tullis-Joyce29, however, this year’s offseason was all about expanding his horizons.
“I spent some time with an amazing researcher named Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza,” Tullis-Joyce told ESPN. “She studies stingless bees, and combines indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge, so I had the chance to shadow her in the Amazon rainforest which was incredible. It was a blast, but I was definitely ready to reunite with my peers and get back to work.”
It is this constant hunger to improve himself – coupled with impressive technical ability – that has made the goalkeeper a genuine fan favorite at United. joined the club from nwsl Side seattle reign Tullis-Joyce transitions to 2023 mary earpsThe undisputed No.1’s deputy looks comfortable, with his performances at club level earning him regular call-ups United States of America Women’s national team.
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Last season, Tullis-Joyce started every Women’s Super League game for United and won the Golden Glove award (jointly with Chelsea). hannah hamptonMark Skinner’s team finished third. Having deservedly earned her place in the 2025 PFA Team of the Year, Tullis-Joyce helped United achieve their first-ever qualification to the main draw for the UEFA Women’s Champions League league stage under its new format and is part of United’s best defense in the WSL this season.
It’s an impressive list of accolades, although Tullis-Joyce has had to be patient to step into the spotlight. She admits there were times early in her career when she had to look for groceries, while she had to wait an entire season to make her WSL debut after securing her move to United.
“It was definitely explained to me when I came in because apparently the Mary Earps were here,” she says. “It was good to work with him and really understand what it takes to be a Manchester United goalkeeper, with all the pressure and standards that we have. It was a moment where I really had to just grind without the spotlight on me so that I could be ready to be the starting goalkeeper again.”
Following in the footsteps of arguably the most high-profile goalkeeper in the women’s game will be a difficult task for many. But, when the Earps left as a free agent to join United Paris Saint Germain In the summer of 2024, Tullis-Joyce was ready to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“I’ve always had great people around me in terms of staff and my teammates and so it’s always been about trying to get in the best position to handle that pressure. I remember the first game for United, Maya [Le Tissier] There was the captain and she turned to me and said: ‘Enjoy this.’ It’s just a testament to the people we have on this team and the confidence we have in each other. It’s a special environment to be a part of.”
Tullis-Joyce kept 13 clean sheets in the WSL last season, conceding just 16 goals throughout the campaign as United thrashed local rivals. Manchester City In third place. It was this excellent form that led the club to offer the goalkeeper a new long-term contract, which he signed earlier this year.
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Tullis-Joyce’s super save protects Man United’s lead
Fallon Tullis-Joyce makes a brilliant save for Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid in the Women’s Champions League.
Skinner said of the club’s decision to extend Tullis-Joyce’s stay until 2028, “I’m confident that with his goals, we’ll win things.” I look forward to building strong teams with them.”
It was a ringing endorsement from the United boss, and Tullis-Joyce is now one of the first names on the team sheet for his club as it looks to win its first WSL title. Skinner’s team are currently third in the table – two points behind the leaders chelsea – But, with the team yet to lose a game this season, Tullis-Joyce believes United have every chance of progressing in the title race.
“I’m really proud of what we did last season,” she says. “That moment when we achieved Champions League football was a real accumulation of all the work and effort we put in to finish in the top three. Now, I’m really grateful that we have the opportunity to build on that.
“This league is crazy – I love it! Every league I’ve played in has its own strengths and characteristics, but playing in the WSL, there are some incredible players, incredible teams and the strategies involved are amazing. It demands you to be the best version of yourself.”
It’s not just at club level where Tullis-Joyce is making her mark. Made debut for USWNT in 2-0 win brazil In April, the goalkeeper has begun to establish herself as an important part of USWNT coach Emma Hayes’ plans and is expected to be involved when the USWNT competes. portugal This week in Pennsylvania.
“I think Fallon and his experiences in England have really taken his game up a notch,” Hayes said before the game. “I really see her as a player who has gone through different levels. There were some things she had to work on after Seattle, I think she’s gone to England and started adding to that. I’ve said it many times: If you think about when Alyssa Naeher Became the number 1 goalkeeper of the US women’s national team [back in 2017]It takes a while.”
For Tullis-Joyce, the journey to becoming her country’s No. 1 has been a long but worthwhile one. And, with both United and the USWNT striving to win major titles in the coming years, the goalkeeper believes she still has plenty of chapters to write.
“I’ve been very fortunate in my journey,” she says. “I’ve put myself in a position to be fortunate, but the staff members I’ve worked with have put a lot of trust in me and I’m very grateful for that.
“Emma has a wealth of knowledge, but also emotional intelligence. She likes to know her players as people. She knows me from the beginning. But she’s also a coach, so she’s not afraid to tell you what she expects from you, which makes me even more excited and ambitious. I just want to be my best for her, for Mark and the club, and for my country.”
