MANCHESTER – For most professional footballers, the summer holidays provide the opportunity to head to glitzy destinations such as Ibiza or Dubai to relax and recharge ahead of the new season. But for Manchester United goalkeeper Fallon Tallis-JoyceShe's 29 years old, though, and this year's offseason has been all about broadening her horizons.
“I spent some time with a wonderful researcher named Dr. Rosa Vazquez Espinoza,” Tallis-Joyce told ESPN. “She studies stingless bees and combines indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge, so I got to follow her in the Amazon rainforest, which was incredible. It was amazing, but I was definitely ready to get back to my teammates and get back to work.”
It is this constant drive to improve himself, coupled with his impressive technical ability, that has made the goalkeeper a real favorite among United fans. By joining the club from NVSL side Seattle Rain in 2023, Tallis-Joyce made the transition from Mary EarpsThe undisputed number one has looked impeccable and her performances at club level have earned her regular call-ups to the national team. United States women's team.
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Tallis-Joyce started every Women's Super League game for United last season and won the Golden Glove award (shared with Chelsea). Hannah Hampton) as Mark Skinner's team finished third. Having deservedly earned a place in the 2025 PFA Team of the Year, Tullis-Joyce has helped United qualify for the new format UEFA Women's Champions League stage, a first in the main draw and is among the best defenders in the WSL this season.
It's an impressive list of accolades, although Tallis-Joyce has had to be patient during this moment in the spotlight. She admits that there were times early in her career when she was “feeding” groceries while having to wait a full season to make her WSL debut after securing a move to United.
“It was definitely explained to me when I walked in because obviously Mary Earps was here,” she says. “It was a pleasure to work with her and really understand what it takes to be a Manchester United goalkeeper, with all the pressure and standards we have. That was the point where I really just had to work hard and not draw attention to myself so that I could then be ready to be the starting goalie.”
Following in the footsteps of arguably the most outstanding goalkeeper in women's football would be a daunting task for many. But when Earps left United as a free agent and joined Paris Saint-Germain In the summer of 2024, Tallis-Joyce was ready to grab this opportunity with both hands.
“My career trajectory has been crazy and I've been very lucky along the way,” she says. “I've always been surrounded by great people in terms of staff and teammates, so I've always tried to put myself in the best position to deal with that pressure. I remember my first game for United, Maia. [Le Tissier] was the captain and she just turned to me and said, “Enjoy it.” It's just a testament to the people we have on our team and the faith we have in each other. It’s a special environment to be a part of.”
Tallis-Joyce kept 13 clean sheets in the WSL last season, conceding just 16 goals throughout the campaign as United beat their local rivals. Manchester City to third place. It was this brilliant form that prompted the club to offer the goalkeeper a new long-term contract, which she signed earlier this year.
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Tallis-Joyce's super save protects Manchester United's lead
Fallon Tallis-Joyce makes a great save in Manchester United's Women's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
“I believe we can win with her in goal,” Skinner said of the club's decision to extend Tallis-Joyce's stay until 2028. “You have key players as a coach, and for me Fallon is a key player. She's a fantastic goalkeeper, but she's also a fantastic person. I need to emphasize that every time we talk because I want to build a team of solid, fantastic players, but also fantastic people. I'm looking forward to building strong teams with her in them.”
It was a resounding endorsement from the United manager and Tallis-Joyce is now one of the first names on his club's squad list as they look to win their first WSL title. Skinner's side are currently third in the table, two points behind the leaders. Chelsea – but with the team yet to lose a game this season, Tallis-Joyce believes United have a good chance of going the distance in the title race.
“I'm very proud of what we did last season,” she says. “The moment we secured Champions League football was a real accumulation of all the work and effort we had put in to get into the top three. Now I’m very grateful that we have the opportunity to build on this.”
“This league is crazy, I love it! Every league I've played in has its own strengths and characteristics, but the WSL has incredible players, incredible teams, and the tactics used are simply amazing. It requires you to be the best version of yourself.”
It's not just at club level that Tallis-Joyce has found success. Made her debut for the USWNT in a win over Brazil In April, the goalkeeper began to cement his position as a key part of USWNT coach Emma Hayes' plans and is expected to feature when the USWNT enters action. Portugal in Pennsylvania this week.
“I think Fallon and her experience in England has really taken her game up a notch,” Hayes said before the game. “I really notice that she is a player who has come through different levels. There were things she definitely needed to work on after Seattle, and I think she went to England and started adding to it. I've said it many times: if you think about when Alyssa Nayer became the No. 1 goalkeeper for the US women's national team. [back in 2017]it takes some time.”
For Tallis-Joyce, the road to becoming her country's No. 1 has been long but rewarding. And with both United and the USWNT aiming to win major titles in the coming years, the goalkeeper believes she still has many chapters to write.
“I’ve been very lucky in my journey,” she says. “I was really counting on my luck, but the staff I worked with put a lot of trust in me and I'm so grateful for that.
“Emma has such a wealth of knowledge, but also a wealth of emotional knowledge. She loves getting to know her players as people. She got to know me straight away. But she's also a coach, so she's not afraid to let you know what she expects from you, which makes me even more excited and ambitious. I just want to continue to be the best for her, for Mark, for the club and for my country.”
