The Wait Is Over

Royal Flush

The 2022 NWSL Draft wrapped up with a couple of additional surprises (Christina Gibbons went from FC Kansas City to North Carolina for Elizabeth Eddy and a pick, Carson Pickett from Seattle to Philadelphia for Kristen Edmonds). Eventually, Jim Gabarra was able to get himself out from under his scatterbrained decision-making earlier in the day, dealing Katelyn Rowland to Los Angeles for two picks in next year's Draft.

Following the draft, Stephanie Yang, Boston Breakers beat writer for SB Nation, gets comments from coach John Herdman (on-site) and the two newest Breakers (via Skype).

Yang: You made out like a bandit today, upgrading two positions for the price of a low first-round pick. How long was this move being considered?

Herdman: Almost immediately after the Eastern Conference final, Lee and I sat down and analyzed where we were as a club and what we needed to do to make it that last step and play for the NWSL title. We felt as though we could have beaten the Spirit, but that the result came down to them being slightly better than us in the back, which allowed them to hang in at 0-0 until they could seize on a mistake. We thought that if we had had something similar in our back diamond as the Spirit had with Labbe, Dahlkemper, Zadorsky, and Huster, we would have won because the midfield would have worn them down with their interchange and movement.

Yang: So you decided to steal two of those pieces and bring them to Boston?

Herdman: Not steal, and we didn't even talk about a two-fer until after Gabarra picked up Rowland from North Carolina. We were hoping that getting Dahlkemper would be enough of an upgrade that we wouldn't have to move on the goalkeeper front, but when another team dangles one of your former players and a top-of-the-line netminder in front of you...let's just say we changed courses and went after Steph.

Yang: How did the actual negotiation go?

Herdman: You'd have to ask Lee about what was offered in both directions. I told him that if they wanted Stout, straight-up for Steph was a fair price, but if it was Smith, then he should try to get Dahlkemper as part of a bigger deal.

Yang: Was he going for a bigger deal than the 3-for-2 that ultimately was agreed to?

Herdman: Again, you'd have to ask him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he had tried to get a third player from the Spirit.

Yang: Today's coup lines you up to be a favorite for the title. How will your team react to having a target on its back this season?

Herdman: High expectations are a good thing. Don't pencil us in for Chicago just yet, though. We have to see if the chemistry we're expecting as a result of this move actually develops. We have to see which goalkeeper works best with the new center back pairing, and which one is in better form. It also looks like we might start the season a little short-handed. We should know more about that by the end of next week.

Yang: Thanks for your time, Coach.

***

Yang: Ladies, let me get right to it. What were your reactions when you heard that you were heading to Boston?

Labbe: I was on the phone with John when the trade was announced. He had called me under the premise of checking in when he knew all along that they were working on a jaw-dropper. I asked him what was going on, and he held out his phone so I could hear the commissioner's announcement.

Dahlkemper: I'm actually living in Allston this off-season with Sam, Kristie, and Steph McCaffrey. We were watching the draft on Lifetime when Commissioner Duffy went to the podium and said a trade had been made between Boston and Washington. Sam had clued us in at the start of the first round that the Breakers were looking to make some upgrades on defense. Kristie wondered who they were losing this time, not overly happy with the day's first trade involving the Spirit. Steph presumed it was Zadorsky because of her connection to the Canadian National Team and because Sam wasn't sure that the Breakers were trying to get multiple players. Sam seemed to agree with her, but just before the details were announced, Kristie got a strange look in her eye and said, 'Or........', as though there was another possibility. The three of them cheered loudly and wanted to dog-pile on me, while I sat there a bit stunned. It took me a bit to take in all of what the trade meant, for me personally and for Sam and I collectively.

Yang: Both of you can probably be penciled in as starters on Opening Day given that they literally traded your opposite numbers for you. What excites you most about joining the Breakers?

Dahlkemper: For me, it's a tie between reuniting with Sam and Megan on the field, and being on the same team as my girlfriend.

Labbe: My excitement comes from the fact that John WANTED me to play for him, unlike Washington or others around the league. This trade provides me with the stability I need in the latter days of my playing career to reach my ultimate goals, which are a league title and another go-round at the World Cup and the Olympics. I think Rio is looking forward to meeting Wilma Jean. I don't know if they'll hit it off, though.

Yang: In my interview with John following the draft, he mentioned something about starting the season short-handed. I'm guessing he's referring to one of you when he said that.

Labbe: I can't believe it was about me. He would have mentioned it while we were on the phone.

Dahlkemper: This has to stay off-the-record, Stephs. John asked me to stop into the team offices next week to meet with the training staff. He and Lee had been watching last year's final and saw that I wasn't 100% and that the mistake I made which led to the first goal was because I didn't want to make contact with the other player and possibly cause a rebound concussion. They are going to run some tests to see where I am, and if they detect anything wrong, I am going to be shut down until I AM 100%, even if it means missing the first few weeks of the season.

Labbe: So our trainers cleared you too soon, Abby?

Dahlkemper: Yes and no. I think I might have willed myself to believe I was better than I actually was in order to get back on the field for the playoffs, but apparently they weren't too diligent in protecting me from myself.

Yang: Thanks for the info. That question won't end up in the article, since I was just trying to confirm if something WAS behind his statement. Last question: Where do you see yourselves on October 15th?

Labbe: "In Chicago playing for the NWSL title.

Dahlkemper: In Chicago as well, but not necessarily in the NWSL final.

Yang: Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you in Boston in a few weeks.

Labbe and Dahlkemper: Thanks, Steph!