What’s Up With The Trading in The NWSL?
When you think about the values of soccer, what do you think of? Teamwork? Loyalty? Yeah, that’s what I think of too. But, take a look at the trading in the NWSL, and we see none of that. I get that it’s a professional soccer league. I get that money is involved, but the trading going on really goes against the essence of the game.
The recent addition of Angel City FC, AD Franch leaving the Portland Thorns, and Abby Dahlkemper going to the Houston Dash are just three recent examples of the disappointing trading in the NWSL. Here’s some insight into the recent trading and how it’s been undermining women’s soccer values.
The Addition of Angel City FC
Coach Freya Coombe
I’m all aboard for an NWSL team from Los Angeles, but the recent events have been a little disappointing. So first, let’s talk about Coach Freya Coombe. She decided to leave her Head Coach position at Gotham FC in the middle of the season… for a team that hasn’t even had a season yet.
Even at the highest level of soccer, it’s not great for a team to change its coach in the middle of the season. It’ll be interesting to see what this sudden swap will mean for Gotham, especially since Coombe lost her last three games with the team. Yes, we’re all for female coaches excelling, but the disloyalty from a coach is just hard to see.
Christen Press
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Second is the situation with Angel City acquiring the rights to Christen Press from Racing Louisville. It might be the first time you’re hearing that Racing Louisville owned the rights to Christen Press since she never even stepped on the field for the team.
Christen Press (and Tobin Heath) was acquired by Racing in the 2020 NWSL expansion, yet never even intended to suit up. Former Louisville head coach Christy Holly said he had tried to speak with them about playing for the team but to no avail. “It’s important that we get to protect our current squad, and so I think for us, it certainly makes a lot of sense,” Racing Louisville’s vice president of development James O’Connor said about the Christen Press deal.
The fact that Press and Heath were both signed to Louisville with absolutely no intention to play and all the intention to be traded away for assets just speaks to the disloyalty plaguing the NWSL.
AD Franch Leaving the NWSL’s Number One Team
Next, let’s talk about goalkeeper AD Franch being traded from the Portland Thorns, the first ranked team in the NWSL, to Kansas City, which has only won two matches. AD Franch just got home from the Olympics after playing in the bronze medal match, not to mention her success for the Thorns.
Kansas City is Franch’s hometown, but I still wish she would have finished her season in Portland. She had played every single minute of the games she played in for the Thorns and contributed to four clean sheets.
The Thorns traded her for a whopping $150,000 (triple the maximum NWSL salary) in allocation money and goalkeeper Abby Smith. I suppose there’s a bit more reason for this trade, but it was still extremely shocking for one of the league’s best goalkeepers to up and leave her starting position on the league’s best team.
NC Courage’s Abby Dahlkemper to the Houston Dash
Yes, another Olympian has switched teams in the middle of the season. Defender Abby Dahlkemper was traded from the NC Courage to the Dash for $25,000 in allocation money and “performance-based incentives” that are to be announced.
The Houston Dash’s defense has not been the best, with 21 goals allowed on the season. Abby Dahlkemper would be a great addition to their defense. But, the fact that this is nearing the NWSL playoffs makes it feel a little off.
I asked James Clarkson to clarify calling Dahlkemper's move to the Houston Dash a "loan" although it was announced as a trade. Clarkson says explicitly Dahlkemper's rights will go back to the Courage at the end of the season. #NWSL
— Steph Yang | Horrible Soccer Goose (@thrace) August 31, 2021
Additionally, this “trade” is not for a long time. At the end of the NWSL season, Dahlkemper’s rights are going back to the Courage. So, they’re gearing up for the playoffs by paying money for a new player, who will return once it’s all over?
Overall, the amount of transactions and trading in the NWSL right now is pretty surprising and honestly quite disappointing. The NWSL should encourage loyalty on these teams or at least loyalty for a full season. The midseason switches are frustrating to see.
Something has just felt off about all of this, and maybe it’s because players are commodified and handed around so frequently. Additionally, teams can make these transactions in preparation for the NWSL playoffs. In the future, we’d like to see more team loyalty and a return to the core values of women’s soccer.
Featured image via @weareangelcity on Twitter
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