Houston Dash’s Nina Burger: From Austria With Goals

UEFA Women´s Champions League 2013/14. 1/8 Finalspiel am 10.11.2013 in Izmir zwischen Konak – NÖSV Neulengbach 0:3. Courtesy of SV Neulengbach

Given the lack of a fully professional domestic league, Burger has had an interest for a number of years in moving abroad to a professional league. In the past she has had offers from Spain and Germany but at lower league levels. The interest from an NWSL side, however, was too compelling for her to pass up:

"It’s a massive challenge, and for me, personally, I’m really pleased to finally be able to play in a top league."

In spite of her success in Austria, the name “Nina Burger” is not a household name among the women’s soccer community in the United States. Burger came to the attention of the Dash by way of scouts in Sweden who are friends of Dash Head Coach Randy Waldrum. The scouts watched Burger play against SV Neulengbach’s opponents in the round prior to facing Tyresö and again against the Swedish club then raised her as a player of interest.

The Dash obtained and reviewed video on the player to convince themselves she was a good fit. Burger shares the same agent as Osinachi Ohale, which helped in the process of getting a transfer completed prior to the usual European summer window.

In the end, her natural ability in front of goal stood out on tape according to Coach Waldrum;

"What I noticed the most about her was just her quality around the goal mouth, just her finishing ability. She seemed to always be balanced, when the ball is coming in she always seemed to be able to get herself in a balanced position."

Waldrum went on to compare Burger to the forwards that the Dash currently have on roster;

"So many young players, every time they get a shot they kill the ball. She’s got that refined, you know it’s power or it’s placement or it’s the outside of the foot or it’s I’m rolling it right underneath the keeper. She’s just got a little bit more refined finishing ability and that’s what really caught my eye. That’s something we lack. We have a lot of players who can get us around that area but they’re not refined enough to really finish. We need a pure finisher."

The key question is how well Burger’s goal scoring prowess will translate to the NWSL, which is a faster and far more physical league than the ÖFB Frauen Bundesliga, as well as how she will adapt to living and playing in a new country and a different climate.  Waldrum noted that there will be an adjustment period;

"I think it is going to take her just a little bit of time just to get used to the players around her and also how we’re trying to play. I think the heat is going to take a little bit for her to get used to I’m sure."

Waldrum went on to highlight the difference in play between the two leagues;

"I think the one big adjustment is going to be the physical part of  the league. In Europe and especially in Austria, more teams sit back a little bit more and it’s not as aggressive and physical. That is always the key with the foreign players, is can they make that adjustment to this game here because it is a physical game. It’s based more on athleticism in our league."

The upside if Burger can make the adjustment is clear;

"I’m hoping she can make that adjustment to this league, because if she can then she is going to be a big asset to us."

For her part, Burger is confident in her ability to adjust and contribute;

"It is a very strong league with great players. It is a different environment than Austria but I’ll get used to it. Even though we lost 4-0 on Saturday, I think the team can grow and I think we can do better in the future. I’d like to help the team further and of course I’m looking forward to the first goal. I’m really looking forward to helping the team improve and if I don’t score, I’ll still be happy if the others score and help the others to victory."

The transfer to the Dash has been in the works for quite a while. Part of the delay in Burger arriving in Houston was tied to getting the approval of the Vienna Police and ensuring that she still had a job with them when she returns. Once agreements were in place, immigration paperwork and league paperwork held things up further. Burger finally arrived in Houston on Friday May 2nd and was able to attend Saturday’s loss to FC Kansas City.

Burger has practiced with the team since Monday. Her first day was a little rough and it was clear that she was not entirely in sync with her teammates. She is far more comfortable now, however, and looked confident on the ball and in front of the net in practice on Friday ahead of the weekend trip to Chicago to face the Red Stars. Her touch and movement was particularly impressive. Coach Waldrum was upbeat following practice Friday morning;

"Now that I’ve had Nina here a full week, she’s looked good. I really like what she brings to us. There’s a sophistication about her that a lot of our American players don’t have. She knows how to get on the weak side shoulder of the defender and get those little runs that dart in behind when they can’t see her and the ball. She has that kind of cleverness to her movements. Then she has been good around, just what we thought, around the goal."

Chicago serves as a good first test for Burger given the physical style of play they typically feature, something confirmed by Coach Waldrum;

"Chicago is probably if not the most, one of the most physical teams in the league. So that is going to be a really good test for her (Burger) to see how she copes with that part of it. If she can get a handle on that piece of it then I think she has a chance to be really good for us."

Dash fans will have their first chance to catch a glimpse of Burger on Sunday at 5pm at Chicago on the NWSL YouTube live stream. Next Wednesday they can see her in person at BBVA Compass Stadium at 7pm against Portland Thorns FC, a rematch of the opening match of the season. That will not only present a good opportunity to see Burger first hand, but also get another look at the defending champions and see how the newly formed midfield pairing of Becky Edwards and Kaylyn Kyle performs.

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