Many eyebrows were raised when Alyssa Thompson left Angel City on deadline day to sign for Chelsea Women earlier this month. Beyond the surprise of what led the 20-year-old to make such a bold move—or even the fact that it came with a club-record $1.5 million fee—the bigger talking point was that she would no longer share a locker room or pitch with her younger sister, Gisele. “Will miss my other half, but you deserve it,” was the message the 19-year-old wrote for her departing sister on Instagram, wishing her well ahead.

The pair had spent just over a season together as teammates, but their bond stretches just more than that, with Alyssa once telling GOAL, “It’s definitely hard when you’re doing it alone, but it’s so much easier when my sister gets to do it with me.” Their split isn’t new to women’s soccer, though. Former USWNT stars Sam and Kristie Mewis went through a similar experience before moving on to pursue their individual and player identities.

And looking at this fresh split, the two USWNT icons were generous enough to share some crucial advice for the younger Thompson sisters. “I actually think that our first time splitting up was really good for both of us,” began Sam on her co-hosted The Women’s Game podcast’s latest segment’s first episode, Mewis Squared.

Hearing this, the elder Mewis sister agreed, adding, “Growing up having each other was the best thing that could have ever happened to us. But then you hit a certain point where you’re like, ‘Okay, I need to branch off. I need to see what I’m about by myself.'” It’s not like the two Mewis sisters ever truly cut ties—the connection always remained. But as Kristie reflected, there was a point where both of them were constantly seen through the lens of being “Sam’s sister” or “the Mewis sisters.”

There were always the comparisons, the voices, and the constant reminders of the other’s presence. While that bond was special, Kristie admitted that there comes a time when players need to carve their own path and discover who they are individually. For the Mewis sisters, that moment came when Sam left for UCLA, determined to make a name for herself and step out of Kristie’s shadow by embracing a new chapter in California.

Kristie added that while she stayed close to home, going to college allowed her to become her own person, make mistakes, and truly discover herself beyond her small-town roots in Hansen. She described it as a crucial learning curve that was exactly what they needed at the time. And that’s exactly what the Thompsons are experiencing now.

Agreeing with her elder sister, the former Manchester City star noted that Alyssa and Gisele Thompson are close in age, with no more than a year between them, unlike Sam and Kristie Mewis, who had a couple of years’ difference. While the Mewis sisters followed the traditional college route, that isn’t the case for the Thompsons, who are using these formative years to play professionally.

Alyssa and Gisele Thompson break up, but only for their own good

“It is a pivotal time for a person to venture out on their own and come to some sort of independence and individuality. And I think when you have a sister who’s in such a similar career path as you, it’s awesome to get lumped together. It’s like, in a way, a safety net. It’s always something I was really proud of. But it’s also really healthy to get outside of that a little bit and be your own person,” said Sam Mewis.

The former USWNT midfielder recalled her time going away to college, saying it allowed her to be seen as herself. In high school, she often felt defined by her older sister and struggled with that constant comparison. However, college gave her the freedom to be her own person, and she was able to form friendships that reflected who she truly was, rather than being tied to her sister’s identity.

“I’m excited for the Thompsons,” added Sam, praising Alyssa Thompson for making the right call, hoping she does well in Chelsea. While the 20-year-old forward has made three appearances so far, she has yet to find her name on the scoresheet. The 32-year-old also emphasized her high hopes for Gisele, who is giving her best in the absence of her elder sister.

“They’re both in such great situations, and great players with so much potential for our US women’s national team. So we’re sending them a lot of sisterly love out there,” concluded Sam Mewis, hoping to call them on her jointly hosted new show someday.

Be that as it may, this is quite a heartfelt support extended by the Mewis sisters for the Thompson sisters. And so what if the two aren’t playing together anymore? They still have a chance to reunite at the national camp and together play for their nation. Regardless, share your views in the comments below.