NWSL deadline day recap: Julie Ertz to Angel City, Sam Mewis joins Kansas City Current
The National Women’s Soccer League closed the trade deadline on Friday, inspiring chaos ahead of the upcoming expansion draft on December 18.
The San Diego Wave and Angel City FC wasted no time in acquiring several players, setting the tone for their debut seasons in 2022.
Here are all the notable NWSL transfers...
Sam Mewis joins Kansas City Current
USWNT player Sam Mewis joins NWSL expansion team the Kansas City Current in one of the biggest moves of the transfer window. She signed with the newest side after seven seasons with the North Carolina Courage, where she lifted the championship trophy on three occasions in 2016, 2018 and 2019. She also spent one season with Manchester City in 2020, inspiring the English team to an FA Cup.
In exchange, the Courage will receive defender Kiki Pickett and the Current's natural first-round pick in the upcoming college draft.
"Many would argue that she's the best player in the world," Current owner Angie Long said during a press conference to introduce Mewis on Friday. "We're so excited to have her as part of our team as Kansas City is going to win some championships."
Julie Ertz and Sarah Gordon to Angel City FC
NWSL expansion team Angel City FC is set to hit the ground running after acquiring USWNT midfielder/defender Julie Ertz and 2021 NWSL Defender of the Year nominee Sarah Gorden.
The Chicago Red Stars agreed to send the rights of Ertz and Goden to Angel City, in addition to an international slot, in exchange for expansion draft immunity from the new side, according to a Red Stars press release. This means the expansion team cannot pick up two players, protected or unprotected, from the Chicago-based side during the draft.
"Julie Ertz and Sarah Gorden are two players that are so important for the defensive foundation we are building on the Angel City roster," club sporting director Eni Aluko said in a statement.
"We know successful football teams need to have competitive defenses and we are delighted with the addition of two competitive defenders with many years of NWSL experience."
Ertz has spent her entire NWSL career with the Chicago Red Stars, recording six goals and eight assists in 95 appearances.
The two join USWNT player Christen Press, who became the team's first official player.
Jodie Taylor to the San Diego Wave
The Orlando Pride traded the rights to Jodie Taylor to the San Diego Wave on Wednesday in exchange for the expansion team’s natural second-round pick in the 2022 college draft, plus either a third-round pick or allocation money, depending on undisclosed conditions being met.
Taylor joined the Pride midway through the 2021 season, recording three goals and two assists in 13 appearances.
She joins Abby Dahlkemper, who signed as the expansion team's first official last month.
Tegan McGrady to the San Diego Wave
The Washington Spirit have traded Tegan McGrady and a 2022 international spot to the San Diego Wave in exchange for expansion draft immunity.
McGrady was the seventh overall pick of the 2019 college draft. She renewed her contract with the Spirit last year, signing a two-year contract in October 2020.
Red Stars trade four players to "prioritize and honor the wishes of select players."
Katie Johnson and Makenzy Doniak join the San Diego Wave to “return home to Southern California, per their wishes," the Red Stars said in a statement. The Red Stars also honored a request from midfielder Nikki Stanton to join OL Reign in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
The Wave also acquired the rights to forward Kelsey Turnbow, a second-round pick in the 2021 college draft. In exchange, the Wave will not select a Red Stars player in the expansion draft. The expansion team also gave the Red Stars an undisclosed amount of allocation money.