

Kat Williamson, right, has been traded from Portland to Western New York. (Photo copyright Meg Linehan for The Equalizer)
One of the best rookies of the 2013 NWSL season is on the move in a blockbuster trade that could be even bigger once the dust falls on the details.
Portland Thorns FC sent Kat Williamson to Western New York along with midfielder Courtney Wetzel and a 1st round pick in the 2015 draft in exchange for defender Sarah Huffman and a player to be named later.
Thorns coach Paul Riley told The Equalizer last week that he had an international signing to announce, and the courtship of Vero Boquete has been a public one since Riley took the Thorns job in early December. Boquete, a Spanish international who plays for Tyresö, won the 2011 WPS MVP award under Riley in Philadelphia.
There’s no word on when the unnamed player will be revealed.
Williamson will fill a hole for the Flash left by the absence of center back Estelle Johnson, who is not expected to report to the team this season. Williamson started every game for the championship-winning Thorns in 2013 and was ironically sent off in the final against the Flash in the final on what is now her home field.
Huffman was previously not expected to report to the Flash, having decided to stay in Portland to live in her new home that she bought with Abby Wambach, who plays for Western New York.
“We’ve brought in two players that will make our team stronger and add to the depth of our club,” Flash coach Aaran Lines said. “We needed a central defender and Kat proved last year she can excel in that role. Courtney is a player whose versatility is going to be massive for our squad.”
Wetzel and Williamson were already with the Flash by Saturday and dressed for preseason matches against Syracuse and Colgate:
