Jan. 29 was a big day for the Orlando Pride.
In what seemed like an instant, two of the Pride’s inaugural-team players were off to play for Seattle Reign FC, as the Pride announced they traded away left back Steph Catley and forward Jasmyne Spencer.
The Pride executed two separate trades for Catley and Spencer. For the Pride, Catley is worth midfielder Christine Nairn and defender Carson Pickett; for Spencer, the Pride acquired Seattle’s natural third-round pick in the 2019 draft and goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer.
“We put a significant emphasis last year on international players, and the down side of that, particularly when there’s a World Cup year coming up soon, is that you’re going to lose those international players from time to time,” Pride boss Tom Sermanni said, per the team press release. “So it’s really important to have depth and quality with your domestic players, and I think these three players bring us that.”
Nairn has played in over 100 National Women’s Soccer League matches, starting 21 of her 23 appearances last season. In 2017, she scored a goal and tallied 4 assists for Seattle. From 2014 to 2016 for the Washington Spirit, she scored 14 goals in three seasons.
“Christine is a player that we’ve had eyes on for a while. What we see in her, technically, is a great footballing quality,” Sermanni said. “She has an exceptional left foot; she’s a great passer; she understands the game really well; she’s been in this league from Day 1–been a regular starter virtually since she came into the league. She brings that experience and that quality with her.”
Pickett, once again, makes the cross-country trip back to the Sunshine State, as she is a graduate of Florida State University. The Reign chose Pickett with the fourth-overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, as she tallied an assist in her rookie season.
At FSU, Pickett started all four years and helped the Seminoles to a 2014 Women’s College Cup victory. That tournament, the ‘Noles tallied six clean sheets, not conceding one goal all tournament.
“Carson gives us good cover at left back, and she’s local, which I think always helps. So she’s going to feel comfortable coming in from the start,” Sermanni said. “Losing Steph, we obviously needed to look at getting cover at left back. She’s a player that has played high-level [soccer], college-wise, and a player that has played conssitently in the league for her two seasons.
“She started a lot of games for a quality [Seattle] team. I think she’ll fit in well with the system we play and how we play.”
The 27-year-old Kopmeyer will fill the since-vacant backup spot to starting goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. She started in 20 Seattle matches last season, posting a 7-7-6 record with two shutouts and 79 saves. Kopmeyer recorded 7-plus saves in five different games.
“Haley is an experienced goalkeeper in this league. She’s been a starter in this league, and now we’ve added a very strong goalkeeper to be here with Ashlyn,” Sermanni said.
Pickett and Kopmeyer are currently playing in Australia during the NWSL offseason. Kopmeyer has a head start on meeting her new teammates, as she is currently playing with Pride defender Toni Pressley at Canberra United FC. Pickett is a part of the defense for top-seeded Brisbane Roar FC.
Catley and Spencer leave as fan-favorites of their now-former side.
In two seasons with Orlando, Catley scored a goal and recorded 3 assists. She was named to the 2017 NWSL Second XI. In 2016, she scored Orlando’s first-ever goal in its inaugural match at Portland Thorns FC.
“Steph has played a huge part in shaping our club, but…due to upcoming national-team commitments, her desire was to be on the West Coast,” Sermanni said. “We thought this was a good deal for all parties. We thank Steph for everything over the last two years and wish her the best of luck in Seattle.”
Spencer, dubbed the “Energizer Bunny” by Sermanni, was a mainstay in Pride lineups. The 27-year-old made 40 appearances, starting 29 of them, as she scored 7 goals and recorded 3 assists. Spencer also won Week 10 Goal of the Week in the 2016 season.
“Jas has been magnificent for us. She turned up every day with a huge smile on her face, happy and brought a ton of energy to the training environment, and we’ll miss that,” Sermanni said. “But for someone of her experience and ambition, we think this is a good deal for her, a good deal for us and a good deal for her to probably be guaranteed more starts in the league.”
The Pride are almost assuredly expected to add more players, as they will participate in a dispersal draft on Tuesday at 4 p.m., following the folding of the Boston Breakers.
For more on the Pride, as they continue to execute their offseason plans, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.
[…] coming to Orlando is not unprecedented. Left back Steph Catley, who was traded to Seattle, and midfielder Alanna Kennedy played in Central Florida last season. Lisa De Vanna also spent a […]
Comments are closed.