For Marlee Fray, football has always been about persistence, passion, and progress. As such, the American-born striker is optimistic that her latest move to FFC Wacker München, coupled with her dedication and performances at the German club, will finally earn her a place in the senior Reggae Girlz squad.

“Signing with Wacker München is a tremendous opportunity for me. It marks a pivotal step in my professional career, allowing me to compete at a higher level and further develop my game in a competitive European environment,” Fray told SportsMax.Tv.

“This move represents not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to gain international experience, refine my skills, and prepare myself for the highest level of football. So I am eager to contribute to the club’s ambitions while continuing to grow as a player,” she added.

Fray, who earns her Jamaican stripe through father Michael, last represented the country at the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in 2020, where she scored five of the team’s 20 goals in a successful run to the quarterfinal stage.

Since then, she has been patiently working towards her international breakthrough on a journey that has seen her thrive in college football, as she won a C-USA Championship title with the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and continued to sharpen her skills in different environments.

But the road to this point hasn’t always been smooth. Like many athletes, Fray has had to navigate highs and lows, learning valuable lessons along the way.

“My football journey has been filled with incredible highs—representing the Jamaican youth national team on the international stage, winning a championship, and making lifelong friendships,” Fray, who was a member of Jamaica’s Under-17 Caribbean Football Union 2015 champion team, reflected.

“However, football is a game of uncertainty and adversity, and I’ve learned how to navigate setbacks, adapt to new environments, and stay mentally strong. Those experiences have shaped me into the player I am today—resilient, disciplined, and passionate,” she noted.

The 24-year-old’s prowess is seemingly genetic, as both her parents, Michael and Desiree, paraded their skills for the University of Hartford. In fact, her father is also a former Jamaican youth player and Wolmer’s Boys’ alumnus, while her grandmother, Charlotte Moran, is a member of the United States Youth Soccer Hall of Fame.

Their unwavering support, Fray said, has served as fuel in driving her ambitions to be the best.

"Football has always been at the heart of my life, and giving up has never been part of who I am,” she declared.

“My greatest motivation comes from my ambition to grow as a player and to contribute to the sport at the highest level. Alongside that drive is the unwavering support of my family. Coming from a football family, they understand the demands of the game and have always kept me grounded, focused, and fully committed to my long-term goals,” Fray shared.

Now settling into a new chapter in Germany, the powerfully built striker is embracing the challenges that come with adapting to a new club, playing style, and system.

“Playing in Europe’s structured, tactical, and highly competitive leagues will challenge me in new ways, but I welcome that challenge. The transition to a professional setup, with greater demands and expectations, is something I have been preparing for. So the aim is to work hard, adapt quickly, and take full advantage of this opportunity to grow as a player,” Fray noted.

While she remains focused on excelling at Wacker München, Fray reiterated that her ambitions extend beyond club football—her dream is to don the black, green, and gold once again at the senior level.

“Representing Jamaica at the youth level was a great honour. Since then, I have remained focused on my development, ensuring that I continue progressing as a player who can compete at the highest level. I believe that my experience playing in different environments, combined with my commitment to continuous improvement, positions me well for future opportunities,” said Fray, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sport & Leisure Administration at Oral Roberts University.

Some might have been disappointed not to transition immediately into the senior squad after the Under-20s, but Fray sees things differently.

“Not at all! It has been inspiring to see the Jamaican senior women’s team achieve incredible success. I look up to many of the players on the squad and love seeing some of the girls I played with at the youth level now competing at the highest stage. It only motivates me to keep working hard for my own opportunities,” she reasoned.

And with the Reggae Girlz set to enter the World Cup qualifiers later this year, Fray knows that a strong season in Germany could put her back in the national team conversation.

“Competing in Europe will expose me to new challenges, higher-level competition, and a professional environment that will further prepare me for international football,” she said.

“My ultimate ambition has always been to represent Jamaica at the senior level. If my performances at Wacker München open the door to rejoining the Reggae Girlz, it would be a tremendous honour,” Fray stated.

For now, her immediate goal is to help her club push for promotion to the second division while continuing to evolve as a player.

“My main ambition is to continue playing football at the highest level and contribute to team success wherever I play. With Wacker München, my immediate goal is to help the club achieve promotion. Beyond that, I am committed to continuing my development and challenging myself in stronger leagues,” Fray ended.

Meanwhile, Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby welcomed her transition to the professional ranks and, by extension, into a competitive environment, which he believes augurs well for her future endeavours.

“We are delighted for Marlee on her new opportunity in Germany. Not only is it a great environment for her to keep developing and learning, but it’s a great transition into the professional ranks, so we are eager to see how she gets on,” Busby told SportsMax.Tv.

“We are here to support her in whatever way, and we will monitor her progress and see if it leads her back into the national team. It has been awhile, but you know that pathway (to the senior level) is sometimes never a straight line. Sometimes there are obstacles, but she is definitely on the right path now, and we are excited to see where this new adventure takes her,” he said.