Category: News

Breaking News: Allysha Chapman to Boston Breakers

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Boston Breakers get Allysha Chapman for a 2017 and 2018 international spot and the #15 pick in January’s NWSL College Draft.

The Boston Breakers announced today that the team has acquired defender Allysha Chapman from the Houston Dash in exchange for an international roster spot in 2017 and 2018 as well as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.

The draft pick sent to Houston was originally transferred from the Chicago Red Stars in a trade in July. Should Chicago acquire the 13th or 14th overall draft pick, that selection would go to Houston as the Dash will receive the lower of the two Red Stars 2017 second-round draft picks available to Boston at the draft.

Capped 39 times for the Canadian Women’s National Team, Chapman has started 27 games for Canada, scoring one goal and tallying two assists. She recently won the bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. She claimed silver at the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship and was on Canada’s team that finished first at the 2016 Algarve Women’s Cup.

“Allysha was one of my top targets in this offseason, and I’m delighted that we have managed to bring her to Boston,” Boston Breakers head coach Matt Beard said. “She will add great defensive stability to our side, and she is a threat going forward. She also brings a wealth of NWSL and International experience.”

Prior to playing for the Houston Dash, Chapman played for Eskilstuna DFF in Sweden’s top-flight league, Damallsvenskan, in 2014. She scored three goals in 19 appearances (17 starts). In 2012 and 2013, she played for IK Sirius FC in Sweden’s second division, Elitettan.

A three-year letterwinner at Louisiana State University, Chapman was the 2011 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and named to the All-SEC First Team as a senior. In three years at LSU, Chapman made 67 appearances.

Chapman had this to say about the trade:

Boston sends Kristie Mewis and Kassey Kallman to Washington for Megan Oyster and Picks

Posted on by RJ Allen

Boston and Washington have woken the WoSo world up on this Thursday. Defender Kassey Kallman and midfielder Kristie Mewis head to Washington in exchange for defender Megan Oyster as well as the Nos. 3 and 9 overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.

Below is the Boston Breaker’s press release.

WATERTOWN, Mass. (Nov. 17, 2016) – The Boston Breakers announced today that the team has acquired defender Megan Oyster as well as the Nos. 3 and 9 overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft from the Washington Spirit. In exchange, the Breakers send defender Kassey Kallman and midfielder Kristie Mewis to the Spirit. In addition, Boston also receives the No. 2 allocation spot in return for the No. 1 spot in the Distribution Ranking Order. 

The 13th overall pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft out of UCLA, Oyster played two seasons for the Spirit. She started all 25 games she appeared in, logging 3,140 minutes.

 The Naperville, Ill native is currently on loan in Australia, playing in the Westfield W-League for the Newcastle Jets. This is her second straight offseason in Australia, having played for Newcastle during the 2015/2016 W-League season. 

“Megan is a player that we really wanted to bring to the club,” Boston Breakers head coach Matt Beard said. “She is a very good defender and comfortable on the ball. Megan will bring great experience to the back line and a winning mentality.” 

A four-year star at UCLA, Oyster was instrumental in the Bruins winning the 2013 NCAA National Championship. She assisted on the game-winning goal in overtime of the championship game against Florida State.

 “Megan is a top quality defender, a very important piece of the puzzle for us, and a player Matt wanted, so to bring her into the club is a big positive for us. We have a plan in place for how we use the draft picks to help strengthen the squad which is the important next step,” said Boston Breakers President of Soccer Operations and Development Lee Billiard. “It is always tough moving players like Kassey and Kristie, but we felt the need to freshen it up and free up cap space, allowing us to keep making the progress we have done so thus far”.

Kallman spent two seasons in Boston, playing every minute of all 40 matches. Mewis joined the Breakers in 2014, and in three seasons with the club scored 10 goals to go along with five assists in 51 games.

Frances Silva of FC Kansas City Retires from Professional Soccer

Posted on by RJ Allen

FC Kansas City will be without midfielder Frances Silva coming 2017. She has announced her retirement from professional soccer.

Silva leaves to work at Fox Soccer as a Social Media Specialist.

Below is their statement.

KANSAS CITY (Nov. 16, 2016) – Two-time National Women’s Soccer League champion midfielder Frances Silva announced her retirement from professional soccer this morning. She plans to join Fox Soccer as a Social Media Specialist.

“I want to thank the FC Kansas City organization for allowing me to live out my lifelong dream of playing professional soccer,” Silva said.

“Getting to play in my hometown and winning two titles for this great city is more than I could have ever hoped for. I want to also thank my teammates and coaching staff for making the experience something I’ll always remember. Walking away from the game you love is never easy, but I’m excited for the new challenges that are ahead working for Fox Soccer.”

Silva is one of a handful of local talents that have played for the Blues in the first four NWSL seasons. The Overland Park, Kansas native attended Blue Valley North High School, where she set a number of program records and led the Mustangs to the 2007 state championship. She finished her career with 41 goals and 17 assists, which helped earn her scholarship to West Virginia.

She quickly found her place with the Mountaineers, appearing in all 24 matches (starting 20) and earning Big East All-Rookie Team honors in 2010. She contributed 87 points in her next three seasons, which included 15 goals and 13 assists her senior year.  West Virginia won the Big 12 Championship and she was tabbed as the conference Player of the Year.

Silva was drafted by the Blues with the 19th overall pick in 2014 and played in 18 games, starting five for the league champions. She scored two goals and had one assist her rookie year. She contributed three goals to the FCKC’s second title run in 2015. This past season, Silva started ten games and played in all but one.

“Every time we lose a player to retirement we’re filled with mixed feelings. It’s not any different this time…we are sad for losing Fran. She was an important part of this team during our most successful times and helped us to win two NWSL championships,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “At the same time, we are happy for her and excited about her new opportunities.”

Washington Spirit Head Coach and General Manager Jim Gabarra Writes a Letter to Fans

Posted on by RJ Allen

Head Coach and General Manager of the Washington Spirit Jim Gabarra has written a letter of Spirit fans about the recent changes. 

Below is the full text of the letter.

Dear Spirit Fans,

In light of the response to our recent trades here at the Spirit over the past two weeks, I feel it’s important to share some reasoning and information with our fans. While I can’t share everything, we understand and value the emotional connection our fans have with our players and club, so I’ll share as much as I can, in the hope you can feel the same level of optimism I have for our future.

The Spirit certainly had a historic and successful season in 2016, my first at the club. The entire club and our fans collectively achieved great things through togetherness, hard work, and commitment at every level. It was especially rewarding and something I’ll never forget. I hope we can all look back a year ago and see the result of the changes made then as well as acknowledge the job done by new and returning staff and players.

That said, my role as general manager is to continue to evolve and improve the club and the roster. In doing so, there are numerous factors and decisions to be made, often based on dozens of moving parts involving multiple points of interest. In most every case, the public will never see or know all of the reasons, so it’s very understandable that official public releases of information can cause strong emotions.

As you know, 2016 was my first season with the Spirit, as it was for Denise Reddy as my assistant coach. We both came into a new situation with solid returning core of very talented staff and players. This was enhanced with a good draft class and successful new signings, and together we grew and learned. Reaching the NWSL Championship match in Houston was great, however it’s still my job to look forward and continue to put things in place that give the club the best chance to keep reaching for our goals. As is the case with every team in pro sports changes must be made because no matter how successful a season, things can always be better.

Before making any changes, I evaluate each and every aspect of the club, taking into consideration input from my staff, talking to players, and then create a plan to improve and move forward. Just as was the case a year ago, the plan for the 2017 roster requires changes and improvements. These changes are not taken lightly, and are always difficult. Not everyone completely agrees with these changes as they happen, sometimes even including the owner. But I assure you that the only factors ever used in making these decisions are about how to put the best team on the field every day. I would never make any player trades based on any other factors, and ask for our fans’ consideration as we go through the changes that all NWSL teams go through this time of year.

Thanks for your continued support,

– Jim Gabarra

Seattle Reign FC Bring Back Christine Nairn

Posted on by RJ Allen

In a move that is sure to leave Washington fans scratching their heads, midfield Christine Nairn is heading back to Seattle. In exchange for Nairn, Washington will get the 3rd and 36th pick in the 2017 NWSL college draft and the rights to midfielder Havana Solaun, as well as Seattle’s second round pick in 2018.

Below is the Seattle Reign’s press release.

Seattle Reign FC has acquired the rights to midfielder Christine Nairn and goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel from the Washington Spirit. In return, the Spirit received the 3rd and 36th overall picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft, the rights to midfielder Havana Solaun, and Reign FC’s second-round pick in the 2018 draft.

Schiffel, who has represented the United States at the U-20 and U-23 levels, was selected by Washington in the 2016 NWSL College Draft with the 34th overall pick. Schiffel elected to play the 2016 season with Avaldsnes IL in the Norwegian Toppserien.

Nairn has spent the past three seasons with the Spirit, after beginning her professional career with Reign FC in 2013.

“I’m excited for Christine’s return to the club,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “We felt it was the right time for Christine to come back to the club as we work towards achieving our ultimate goal. She played a key role in Washington’s success over the past three seasons and believe she can make a similar impact for our club.”

Nairn made 67 appearances for Washington, starting in 62 of them. The midfielder scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists over her three seasons with the Spirit, helping them to their first playoff appearance in 2014 and first NWSL Championship appearance in 2016.

Seattle originally selected Nairn with their first overall draft pick in 2013, selecting the Penn State alumna with the seventh overall pick in the first round. During the 2013 season Nairn made 22 starts while leading the team in assists with five. The midfielder also scored three goals, including the club’s first ever goal in NWSL play.

“I am very excited to come back to Seattle for the upcoming season,” said Nairn. “It has been one of the best organizations in the NWSL since day one. In my first year, I made such great relationships with everyone involved, so it makes it a very easy decision to return.”

Louise Schillgard will not return to the Boston Breakers in 2017

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Boston Breakers announced that Louise Schillgard will not return in 2017 due to personal reasons. She scored 1 goal and 2 assists in 18 games.

On Thursday morning they sent out the following press release.

The Boston Breakers announced today that midfielder Louise Schillgard will not return for the 2017 season due to personal reasons.

“I would like to thank Louise for her efforts on and off the pitch last year,” Boston Breakers head coach Matt Beard said. “She is a special player, and of course I am disappointed that she isn’t able to return, but her family comes first. I wish her, Johan, and Matteus all the best for the future.” 

The 27-year-old Schillgard, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, joined the Breakers prior to the start of the 2016 NWSL season. She made her NWSL debut on April 16, 2016 against the Washington Spirit.

She started 16 of the 18 matches she appeared in for the Breakers in 2016, logging 1,429 minutes. Schillgard scored one goal and tallied two assists on the season. Her goal came on June 10, 2016, in a 1-1 draw at home against the Washington Spirit.

Manon Melis Retires from Professional Soccer

Posted on by RJ Allen

In a surprise announcement this morning, the Seattle Reign have announced that Manon Melis, who joined the Reign for the 2016 season, is retiring from professional soccer.

Melis debuted internationally in 2004 and accrued over 100 caps for the Netherlands’ Women’s National Team. She has played in for several teams in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan league and came to the Reign from  Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, where she played from 2014 to 2015.

While on the Reign, Melis was ranked 7th in the league in goals scored, playing 16 games and scoring seven goals. In Week 16, her performance against the Portland Thorns–scoring two goals for a 3 to 1 victory–earned her a nod from fans and the league alike, as she was named Player of the Week.

Ali Krieger traded to the Orlando Pride

Posted on by RJ Allen

Ali Krieger, former captain for the Washington Spirit, has been traded to the Orlando Pride.  In exchange for her rights, the Orlando Pride have swapped places with the Washington Spirit in the Distribution Ranking Order (DRO). The DRO is how newly allocated players are paired with teams.

Bill Lynch, owner of the Washington Spirit, had this to say in the team’s press release:  “On behalf of the entire Washington Spirit organization, past and present, I would like to thank Ali for her extreme commitment and leadership over these four years. She has played a major role in our efforts to build a strong foundation for the future. We wish her well both on and off the field.”

Orlando head coach Tom Sermanni, who coached Krieger on the USWNT before current coach Jill Ellis took the reins in 2014, was quoted in the Orlando press release as pleased with the results of the trade, saying, “We’re ecstatic to get Ali Krieger to the Club; she’s one of the best players in the country. She’s extremely experienced, a great leader, great personality and a great signing for us leading into 2017, I think she’ll help both on the field and off the field. She’s a real, thorough professional so her preparation will start to influence and help our younger players. Her focus and her quality in her training and play will be a huge asset to the team.”

News of Krieger’s trade broke yesterday, pending league approval, and was made official just before 5 pm EST this evening.