Western New York Flash fans were surprised when their star forward, Abby Wambach, announced that she wasn’t going to be participating in club soccer this summer to focus on the Women’s World Cup. That news was quickly overshadowed by one of the biggest trades that took place in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) on March 30th.
Flash’s rights to Wambach were traded to Seattle Reign in exchange for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) star forward, Sydney Leroux. The Flash fans did lose Wambach, but they will get Leroux in return.
Leroux did get upset when she heard news about the trade because it creates a huge change for her soccer career. She is a fan of trying to make the NWSL more competitive and stronger, but she thought the trade was done at a really bad time due to the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Also, if she was going to be traded, she was hoping it would be to Kansas City. Her new husband, Dom Dwyer, lives there and plays for Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer (MLS). Instead Leroux was sent across the country and is now farther away from her new home.
Both these star forwards are powerhouses for the NWSL and the USWNT. Wambach is the all-time leading scorer in women’s international soccer and Leroux is a current rising USWNT superstar. The Reign will now have rights to two time gold medalist, Abby Wambach, but The Flash will receive Leroux in return. Leroux is the type of forward to always keep any defensive line on their heels because of her fast speed.
Both coaches were able to express their feelings about the trade. According to Seattle PI Sports Blog, Seattle Reign head coach, Laura Harvey, said, “Abby is a fantastic player who has proven over the years she is one of the best forwards in the world. We understand and support her decision to focus on the World Cup this season. The contribution she is capable of making is obvious, so we will welcome her to our club at whatever point she is ready to rejoin the league.”
According to Democrat & Chronicle.com, New York Flash head coach Aaran Lines had this to say about Leroux,” She has proven she can score goals. In Seattle she was one of many, here she’s going to be the one. We were put in a difficult position with Abby’s decision and we’ve responded with this. This makes us better. This gives New York Flash fans something to get excited about.”
Leroux and Wambach were not the only players involved in this trade. The Reign will also be receiving midfielder, Amanda Brooks, and a first round draft pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft from the Flash. Seattle Reign is also giving up Amanda Frisbie along with Leroux. Amanda Frisbee was the Reign’s first round draft pick in the 2014 NWSL draft but wasn’t able to play last season for her club due to an injury that occurred during preseason.
Even though Leroux only scored five goals in 22 appearances last season, many expect her to be a star in the upcoming Women’s World Cup this summer. If Leroux has a successful World Cup campaign, she is expected to become one of the future star forwards for the USWNT. Leroux’s soccer career is expected to be a very successful one and now she belongs to the Flash.