The Wait Is Over

Musical Chairs

With the list now finalized, the feeding frenzy commenced. There is no set order to selection (first claim to hit the league office gets the player), but you must have an open roster spot to step into the fray. Thus, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta had the early advantage. At five minutes after five, the Atlanta Storm claimed Lydia Williams from the waiver wire, leaving Houston with an open spot. Shortly thereafter, Orlando claimed McCall Zerboni, giving the Courage an opening which they filled almost immediately with Morgan Proffitt. Houston put in their claim for Kendall Johnson, which allowed Portland to pick up Amanda Frisbie. After five selections, the only teams with open space were Philadelphia and Chicago. After a quick text conversation between Erica Dambach and Arnim Whisler, the Charge decided to bring a halt for the evening to the proceedings.

The next morning, Philadelphia opened with a claim for Jessica McDonald, prompting North Carolina to pick up Alyssa Mautz in a close-to-trade situation. Philadelphia used its open spot to take in Kiersten Dallstream, which Seattle responded to with another like-trade in claiming Carson Pickett, bringing her back to the Reign after a two-month stay in Philadelphia. Chicago held three open spots and, as the only team with one currently, chose to sit on the clock. Around 2pm on Friday afternoon, Arnim submitted claims for Rebecca Moros and Kristen Edmonds. Seattle stepped forward and picked up Taylor Lytle, with Sky Blue acquiring Katherine Reynolds. Vancouver, Kansas City, and Chicago held open spots at this point, and none of the three claimed Sarah Gorden or Jasmyne Spencer, nor did the Legacy or Blues take either Janelle Flaws or Katey Fawcett. With Gorden going unclaimed, her re-negotiated contract with the Dash goes into effect, Flaws and Fawcett are now reassigned to the Chicago Red Stars Reserves, while Spencer is a free agent. Chicago, Kansas City, and Vancouver signed players they negotiated with during the window, with all rosters now frozen for the weekend.

Atlanta Storm - Claimed goalkeeper Lydia Williams off waivers

Boston Breakers - Signed defender Meagan Stassi

Chicago Red Stars - Claimed defender Rebecca Moros and midfielder Kristen Edmonds off waivers; Signed forward Kat Stephens

Houston Dash - Claimed defender Kendall Johnson off waivers; Re-signed defender Sarah Gorden

Kansas City Blues - Signed forward Grace Hagan

North Carolina Courage - Claimed midfielder/defender Morgan Proffitt and midfielder Alyssa Mautz off waivers

Orlando Pride - Claimed midfielder McCall Zerboni off waivers

Philadelphia Charge - Claimed forward Jessica McDonald and forward Kiersten Dallstream off waivers

Portland Thorns - Claimed defender Amanda Frisbie off waivers

Seattle Reign - Claimed defender Carson Pickett and midfielder Taylor Lytle off waivers

Sky Blue FC - Claimed defender Katherine Reynolds off waivers

Vancouver Legacy - Signed defender Shannon Woeller

***

Early on Friday evening, a women's soccer insider broke news of a pending ownership change in Washington. No one at the club or the league was willing to confirm either if the team was being sold, or if so, who the potential buyers were. The players were naturally curious and a few of them, while out at dinner that evening, began discussing the possibilities.

Tori Huster: What does an ownership change do to the squad? The only owner I've had here is Bill.

Jaelene Hinkle: When the investors from North Carolina bought the Flash after the 2016 title season, part of the deal was to move them from Rochester down to Cary. So if the Spirit are on the bidding block, that could happen.

Shelina Zadorsky: I've also seen new owners in other sports shake up the front office or the roster. Another possibility.

Mallory Pugh: But who has the kind of money to buy our team?

Jaelene: It's usually one or two people with a lot of money to burn and they get some soccer people to kick in either a little cash or their name to secure the deal with the current ownership and the league. That's one reason why Mia Hamm was part of the group that got an MLS expansion team for LA, and eventually added an NWSL franchise last year.

Jaelene feels her phone vibrate and looks to see who is calling. It is one of her former Flash teammates.

Jaelene: Jaz! How ya doing?

Jazmyne Spencer: Could be better, could be worse. I wasn't picked up from the waiver wire and am now a free agent.

Jaelene: You looking to come here and play?

Jazmyne: I'm calling because I wanted to give you and your teammates a heads-up. I'm buying the Spirit. Well, not me alone. A number of former players from Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Maryland started a foundation in the off-season with the intention of raising enough capital to buy the Washington Spirit. With me not getting picked up by the deadline today, I'm planning to call it a day, and therefore will be joining the group once the retirement papers are accepted by the league. It has enough to purchase 55% of the club, with hopes to get to 60% by the press conference on Wednesday.

Jaelene: Wow. I'm at dinner with a few players from the team. Can I tell them what's up?

Jazmyne: Yes, but keep the details on the hush-hush until I get up there early in the week.

Jaelene: So I'll be seeing you soon?

Jazmyne: Definitely! Luv ya Jae!

Jaelene: Luv ya back Jaz!

Jaelene (to the rest of the table): Well, that was news! That was Jazmyne Spencer. We played together in Rochester before she was picked up by Orlando in the expansion draft a few years ago. Anyways, she told me that a group of former college players from this area are buying the Spirit. She didn't give me any names of who's part of it, but I'm guessing it is some major hitters if they have the resources to do this.

Shelina: Did she say when the deal would be finalized?

Jaelene: Only that there will be a press conference on Wednesday.

Tori: There are some national teamers who went to UVa that are now retired, so they could be behind it.

Mallory: Like Becky?

Shelina: No doubt she is the point person on all this.

The foursome finish off their meal and walk to the bar. Seeing the NWSL crest on one of the TVs, Jaelene asks the bartender to turn up the volume.

Grant Wahl: I have it on good authority that the Washington Spirit are up for sale and a deal is close to final. A consortium of former college soccer players from the Delmarva region have banded together to purchase controlling interest in the franchise. Names such as Becky Sauerbrunn, Angela Hucles, and Lori Lindsey are said to be part of the investment group. What this means for Jim Gabarra is unknown, but given the missteps over the past six months, I wouldn't be surprised if he will be on the hot seat once the club is transferred.

Tori: Nothing we can do over the weekend except wait for the other shoe to drop.

With that, the four Spirit players leave and head their separate ways to ponder the changes coming to their soccer lives.