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The Dash kicked off their 2018 NWSL College Draft by making what would turn out to be a huge trade with the Chicago Red Stars. The Dash walked away with the number seven overall pick, an international roster slot and a player to be named later. The Red Stars acquired the sixth and twenty fourth overall picks and two players to be named later.
Multiple sources are confirming the to be named players will be Carli Lloyd, Janine Beckie and Christen Press. Lloyd and Press are both members of the United States Women’s National team and Beckie played for the Canadian Women’s National Team.
Lloyd had a complicated relationship with Dash fans since she was traded to the club in 2015 as many felt she didn’t want to be in Houston and had been looking for an out since her arrival. Lloyd struggled with injuries during her time in Houston and played in 27 games over her three seasons with the team. She did, however, score eleven goals and three assists in those games.
Lloyd’s stay with Chicago is expected to be short as they will be trading Lloyd to Sky Blue FC. Chicago will be getting Sam Kerr in exchange for Lloyd, two more players and some draft picks.
Beckie was drafted by the Dash in 2016 and has played in 33 games for the clubs and scored five goals. While she has excelled with her national team she hasn’t found the same success at the club level.
Christen Press, however, has caught fire at every level. She has scored 44 times for the national team since being called up to the USWNT. When on the field for the Red Stars the Dash,and pretty much every other NWSL club, have struggled to shut the forward down. Press scored 11 goals for the Red Stars in 2017 and had four assists.
While a number of the off season moves have left Dash fans sad and frustrated this is once trade that they will be excited about it.
UPDATE:
The Dash officially announced on Friday morning that Christen Press will be joining the team. Lloyd and Beckie are headed to Chicago for a hot second before being traded to Sky Blue FC (plus a third player).