The tables turn for three of the NWSL's all-time goal scorers
Yesterday’s 2018 NWSL College Draft impacted several player trades that were officially confirmed this morning. Three of the NWSL’s all-time goal scorers, Carli Lloyd, Christen Press, and Sam Kerr have been traded from their NWSL teams.
Originally, the Chicago Red Stars traded forward Christen Press to the Houston Dash in exchange for Carli Lloyd, Janie Beckie, and the sixth and 24th picks of the draft. The Red Stars then traded Lloyd, Beckie, Chicago forward Jen Hoy, and the sixth and 13th picks of this year’s draft to Sky Blue FC in exchange for forward Sam Kerr, midfielder Nikki Stanton, and the 15th pick in this year’s draft.
Lloyd will no longer be a part of the Houston Dash and is now with Sky Blue FC, Christen Press goes from the Red Stars to the Dash, and Sam Kerr goes from Sky Blue to Chicago.
The New Jersey native will definitely bring more attention to the team as Lloyd has been recruited along with the other four new players from the draft. In 2010, Lloyd played for Sky Blue of the Women’s Professional Soccer. With her 27 NWSL career goals, she was excited with this decision.
“While this has been a bittersweet moment at this juncture of my career, I am ready to come home to NJ, be with my husband and live in our home together” said Lloyd, “I’m super excited to be able to play for Sky Blue and to return back to my Alma Mater.”
After four seasons with the Red Stars, Press recorded 35 goals within 60 regular season games. Head coach Rory Dames and Press were on the same page as far as separating.
Dames spoke highly of Press,
“For three and a half years Christen did everything we asked her to do, we can’t thank you enough for her time here, but we had run our course together and mutually agreed it was time. Her time that she gave to this club and this city is invaluable and we wish her the best of luck in Houston.”
Kerr was recognized as the 2017 NWSL MVP and her contract with Sky Blue was coming to an end. This past season, the Australian forward scored 17 goals and assisted four goals.
“[Kerr] is a player that any team in the league would jump to get,” stated Dames.
