WASHINGTON (August 23, 2023) – Nyla Allen's goal of becoming an entertainment attorney and sports agent was boosted this summer thanks to her transformative experience of interning at Major League Soccer (MLS).
The Howard University women's soccer senior midfielder had quite the opportunity, primarily since the MLS All-Star game was held in Washington, D.C., in July. It gave her access and exposure to media influencers, talent agents, television stars and more. She interned in the Player Engagement department, where she stayed busy.
Among some of her tasks were updating and maintaining the MLS Greats Network CRM database, supporting the planning and logistics of MLS All-Star, including player appearances and MLS Greats activations, and assisting with planning active and former player off-season programs, including the job shadow program and the Business, Venture & Entrepreneurial Seminar.
"Interning at the MLS was an unforgettable experience," Allen said. "I learned so much, met many great people and got some great experience working with a growing league. Being in the league during the Messi signing and the League Cup startup was great. I learned a lot about time management, including work in my everyday life and getting everything done in a timely fashion with many tasks to complete at once."
"I also attended All-Star Week in D.C. in July, where the MLS All-Stars played Arsenal. That week was packed with events, and it was a lot of fun experiencing it all and getting to network with many people. After that week, I knew I wanted to work in the sports entertainment industry."
Last season was memorable for Allen, who attended Pittsburgh during the 2020-21 school year before transferring to Howard following that season. She played in 15 matches and made seven starts while tying for the team lead with four goals. Allen was second on the team with nine points.
Her highlights last season were recording a hat-trick and an assist in a 7-0 win over South Carolina State (October 10, 2022). Six days later, Allen added a game-winning goal to her portfolio during a 2-1 win over St. Francis Brooklyn (October 16, 2022).
Allen is focused on helping Howard enjoy a memorable 2023 campaign.
"Our goal is to win a ring and be the Northeast Conference champions this season, which is very attainable for this squad we have this year," Allen said. "We did very well in the spring, so our goal is to translate that same level of play to this upcoming fall season. I am extremely excited about my senior season. I think this will be a great one and I'm also very proud of my team and all the hard work they put in this preseason coming in ready to go."
In addition to enjoying her internship experience, Allen had other reasons to celebrate this summer. The second-generation American became a dual citizen of Jamaica in 10th grade and played for the under-17 Jamaican National Team. This year, Jamaica advanced to the Round of 16 in the Women's World Cup tournament for the first time.
"It was amazing to see the women's team make history this World Cup," said Allen, a native of Elmont, New York, who was born in the Bronx and played soccer since she was four years old. "I love seeing how much the talent pool in Jamaica has grown and it's only going to go up from here. Making it to the Round of 16 was a great accomplishment for the team. With players like Khadija Shaw running the team as a captain and new young talent like Jody Brown, the team has a bright future."
Allen, who committed to the University of Pittsburgh during her sophomore year of high school, learned plenty from her time as a member of the under-17 Jamaican National Team. Another reason why watching Jamacia perform in the World Cup resonated with her.
"That experience playing with the National Team was different," Allen said. "It was also a great experience witnessing the different culture of soccer in Jamaica compared to soccer in America. Also, playing with girls that lived and grew up in Jamaica and hanging out with them during camp was a unique experience."
Allen is majoring in political science and minoring in sports administration. She loves shopping, traveling, trying new restaurants, and attending concerts. Allen didn't make it to a Beyonce concert this summer. Still, like everybody else on social media, she lived the experience thanks to numerous Tik-Toks and reels of her many performances.
She does watch plenty of YouTube videos when she's not cracking ankles with her dazzling footwork on the pitch.
Allen's future is just as bright. She is excited about what lies ahead after she earns her degree. She plans to savor her senior season and do everything possible to help Howard reach the women's soccer mountaintop.
"The most special thing about Howard University is all the different and successful people that attend or have attended in the past," Allen said. "There is nothing like the network at Howard and the numerous opportunities that come with attending Howard. This university tries to set its students up as best as possible for life after graduating, which I admire."
"It means a lot to attend an HBCU, especially an HBCU like Howard. The culture is amazing. After attending Pittsburgh my first year, it feels great to be surrounded by people who look like me again because my elementary, middle, and high school were majority Black. My experience here has been good. It was honestly the best decision I made to transfer here."
Fans should visit Greene Stadium to watch Allen and the Bison as Howard hosts rival Hampton in the next chapter of Battle of the Real HU Thursday (August 24) at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame, Knox currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by College Sports Communicators (CSC) with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award and the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Information Directors Association of America (CoSIDA).
