The Wait Is Over

Deal-O-Rama

Friday morning's fury of activity began in Washington, where Becky informed Shelina of her new destination.

Becky: Shelina, can I talk to you for a minute?

Shelina and Becky went up into the stands and sat down.

Shelina: What's up, boss?

Becky: I'm sure you can see that we're a good bit out of contention for a playoff spot at this point. In order to undo some of what Jim did this past off-season, we need to rip down some parts of the current team. The Olympias asked about getting you for the rest of the season since they have a BIG problem with their central defense and want to secure the top seed in the West, which is packed at the top with five teams within five points. We agreed to send you to them for their first-round pick next year.

Shelina sat there a bit stunned, thinking about how she will now be across the country from the two women she loves the most and expected to be a major factor in LA's push for a championship. Sensing that she was not taking the news well, Becky tried to encourage her now-former captain.

Becky: I know that this is hard news to handle, since you've been with the Spirit since you joined the league. It also won't be easy being so far away from DiDi and Steph. I think, however, that things will work out pretty well if you have a bit of faith. There's a chance you could be back on the east coast next season if I am right about something involving one of the Charge's players.

Shelina stood up and hugged Becky, thanking her for telling her ahead of the official announcement and for the pep talk about letting fate work things out for her and DiDi.

***

Lee and John sat down to make whatever final tweaks they were considering on the roster following the big Stout/Proctor deal over the weekend.

Lee: We have one spot open right now, because we gave the Storm Stout, George, and Duran and brought back only Proctor and Troccoli. How do you want to fill it?

John: We need to fill a spot on defense. We're OK with the one less forward due to Sarah's height and the ability to slide either Rose or Jessie up there in a pinch. Devon did well this year after going to reserves. I think we should reward her by bringing her back up to fill that opening.

Lee: That's easy enough to do. Now or after the WPSL playoffs?

John: Probably better to do it now since we play Philly next week, so she could get some PT out of the gate, then work her way into the squad over the following few weeks before the final four matches when we should be coasting into the playoffs and the number one seed in the East.

Lee: With her added, is this the 20 you want to go the rest of the season with?

John: I'm not that happy about Emilie not seeing much action. With her not being a legit forward nor a workable part of our interchangeable midfield, and with us getting Sarah from Atlanta, I can't figure how we'd use her. See if you can find a team down-table who might be looking to deal some of their own unused talent.

Lee headed back to his office and called FC Kansas City about a move. A half hour later, John stopped by and asked Lee if he'd had any luck.

Lee: KC is sending us Dani Rhodes for Emilie. She's a third-year player from Wisconsin who was injured coming out of preseason and fell down their depth chart. Now with them near the bottom of the league, they felt she would probably be replaced in the off-season by whoever they would draft in the first round.

John: I'll have to look for some tape on her. Probably college will be better because of a lack of pro playing time, you think?

Lee: Good place to start, I'd guess.

***

Sammy Jo left a message for Katelyn on her phone with the news about the trade to LA being finalized. After the walk-through for tomorrow night's match with Spain, she called her new teammate back.

Katelyn: How is my favorite girl and the newest member of the Olympia GK Union feeling?

Sammy Jo: Like I'm about to explode. How did this come to happen?

Katelyn: Teagan's play hasn't been up to the standard Mia or Jenny believe we need if I am gone next year at the World Cup. They saw us being chummy after our game in Cary, asked me about it, and felt that you'd be a capable stopgap. It was then that I talked to them about us platooning, which Jenny seems to think will be possible once you get settled.

Sammy Jo: It might take a little time to find a place around LA. Would it be OK if I shacked up with you until I do?

Katelyn: Don't even go looking. Our pad has an extra room in it anyways, so there's space available to fit you in. I also don't think we'll need to use it, if you're game.

Sammy Jo: You asking me to officially move in with you?

Katelyn: Yes, in not so many words. As you know, when we decided to start seeing each other, it was with the knowledge that one of us would end up leaving North Carolina. Now that we will be back together, we have about five months of catching up to do to get our relationship to where I feel it should be. If I haven't said it before, I love you, I'm in love with you, and I want to have a future with you.

Sammy Jo: So this platoon thing isn't going to be just on-the-field, then.

Katelyn: No, dear. I want that kind of partnership with you in every other aspect of my life as well, someday.

Sammy Jo: I'm flying back to California tomorrow. Mia told me that they will put me up near our training complex for a few days so I can work out with the team the early part of the week. When you return, we'll take care of getting my stuff to your, I mean our place.

Katelyn: I'm being hauled away by EJ to go to dinner with her and a couple of the other first-timers. Miss you. Love you. Watch the game tomorrow night. I've got a little surprise in store.

Sammy Jo: Tell her I said hi and congratulate her on the move to Boston. She'll love John and Yael, and Steph is going to be a great mentor for her. And I love you too, Katelyn.

***

The last move of the day came in the Pacific Northwest, as two Cascadia rivals swapped goalkeepers and brought a long-time fan favorite back to her college town.

*********

Atlanta Storm - Traded goalkeeper EJ Proctor and midfielder Sarah Troccoli to Boston for goalkeeper Libby Stout, defender Machaela George, and forward Kayla Duran.

Boston Breakers - Traded forward Emilie Haavi to Kansas City for forward Dani Rhodes; Promoted defender Devon Schiller from the Boston Breakers Reserves (WPSL).

Los Angeles Olympias - Traded goalkeeper Teagan Micah and midfielder Ashley Sanchez to Orlando; Acquired goalkeeper Sammy Jo Prudhomme and forward Ashley Hatch from North Carolina.

Orlando Pride - Traded goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe and forward Chioma Ubogagu to North Carolina.

Portland Thorns - Traded goalkeeper Adrianna Franch to Seattle for goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel and midfielder Megan Rapinoe.

Washington Spirit - Traded defender Shelina Zadorsky to Los Angeles for their first-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft; Traded goalkeeper Abby Smith to Orlando for their first-round draft pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.