Spirit trades Dorian Bailey to Bay FC for NWSL expansion draft protection
- Sports
- December 13, 2023
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The Washington Spirit moved to avoid any unpleasant developments in Friday’s NWSL expansion draft by making a pair of trades Tuesday that gave the club protection from having its roster pilfered.
The Spirit had to pay an immediate price, however, to the two clubs participating in the draft. Washington sent midfielder Dorian Bailey to Bay FC and its two second-round picks in January’s NWSL draft to Utah Royals FC. The deals ensure that neither expansion team will select a player Friday who is currently contracted to the Spirit.
“Dorian is a dynamic player and made a significant and lasting impact on the Spirit organization as a whole,” Mark Krikorian, the Spirit’s president of soccer operations and general manager, said in a statement. “She played an important role in the club’s success both on and off the pitch and we wish her the best as she continues her professional career with Bay FC.”
Bailey, 26, had been a member of the Spirit since the club used the eighth pick in the 2019 draft to select her from the University of North Carolina. She helped the Spirit win its only NWSL championship in 2021, and Bailey made 50 starts for the club over her five seasons.
In a spate of NWSL transactions Tuesday, Bay FC also made trades with NJ/NY Gotham FC, Houston Dash, the Portland Thorns and Angel City FC, giving those clubs protection in the expansion draft. Gotham gave up defender Ellie Jean and Houston traded midfielder Joelle Anderson, while Portland parted with defender Emily Menges and Angel City dealt forward Scarlett Camberos.
Gotham, the reigning league champion, also gained protection from Utah by trading goalkeeper Mandy Haught. Houston did the same in dealing forward Cameron Tucker to the expansion club. Utah received the fourth overall pick in the 2024 college draft, plus defender Kate Del Fava, in granting expansion draft protection to Kansas City Current. In a similar arrangement, the Thorns gained protection by trading forward Hannah Betfort and the 33rd overall pick next year to Utah.
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