From backyards in the U.S. to the European stage, Francesca Frericks’ football journey has been anything but ordinary. After stints in Romania, Albania, and Cyprus — including appearances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Apollon Ladies — the American midfielder now brings her grit and experience to MFA Žalgiris, aiming to shake up Lithuania’s Women’s A Lyga.
We caught up with Francesca to talk about her journey, her ambitions with MFA Žalgiris, and the advice she has for the next generation dreaming of life as a pro.
“I started playing football at six years old,” Francesca says with nostalgia. “My dad played competitively when he was younger, and that really influenced me. Some of my earliest memories are playing in the backyard with my dad and my younger brother — rain, snow, whatever the weather. We would battle it out for hours.“
It wasn’t long before Francesca’s love for competition pushed her into a boys’ league — a move that would shape her fearless approach to the game. Though football was always her passion, the decision to go pro crystallized later.
“It really hit me after my final college season at the University of Illinois Chicago,” she recalls. “Even though I had two degrees and had just finished graduate school, I realized my heart wasn’t ready to step away from football. My coach during that final season helped reignite my love for the game.”
After that last match, I felt lost — I knew I had to keep playing.
“I’ve always been a Messi and Kevin De Bruyne fan,” Francesca says when asked about her role models. “KDB especially — his intelligence, his technique, it’s just incredible. Even though I’m more of a defensive midfielder, I love studying great midfielders. You learn so much just by watching their decision-making.”
Francesca’s latest chapter in the Baltics began after a recommendation from a close friend, former MFA Žalgiris player Jullien Ramirez.
“She told me about the amazing culture, the people, the club — and she wasn’t wrong!” Francesca smiles. “She connected me with the coaches, and everything just fell into place. I knew MFA Žalgiris was a strong team and I wanted to be part of that journey — to help them close the gap with Gintra and push for the top.”
So far, she hasn’t been disappointed: “The league is competitive, every game is a real battle. That keeps me sharp and hungry.“
When it comes to Lithuanian women’s football, Francesca is optimistic but honest.
“I love that every team here poses a different challenge — it keeps you on your toes. But I think the league could benefit from expanding, adding more teams to raise the level even higher. Still, you can’t underestimate anyone here. I’ve been in leagues before where the same team wins 10-0 every week — you don’t grow in that environment. Here, you have to earn every point.”
For years, FK Gintra has dominated the Women’s A Lyga. But Francesca believes competition is catching up.
Gintra is a fantastic club, no doubt. But honestly, every team in this league can beat anyone on the right day. There’s real quality here, and that’s what makes it exciting. I think the league is getting stronger, and that’s good for everyone.
Frericks will debut with MFA Žalgiris in the Baltic Women’s League this season — a pan-Baltic league that pits two of the strongest women’s clubs in each of the three countries against each other – a competition Francesca is eager to embrace.
“I’m super excited,” she says. “I don’t know a ton about the other teams like RFS Women or Flora yet, but I know every game will be a challenge. It’s great for us to face different styles, different countries — it’ll push us to grow as a team. And with the coaching and leadership we have, I know we’ll be ready.”
Francesca’s message to young girls dreaming of a football career is both inspiring and real:
“Expect a bumpy ride. If you love the game more than you hate adversity, you’ll make it. Injuries, tough coaches, setbacks — they happen to everyone. The key is to stay even, don’t get too high or too low, and keep working. I’ve seen so many talented players give up because they took things personally. You have to be resilient. If you are, you’ll achieve way more than you ever thought possible.“
Francesca Frericks is not just building her own story in Lithuania — she’s helping MFA Žalgiris write a bold new chapter. And if her journey so far is anything to go by, the best is yet to come.