New Dash defender Janine Van Wyk is South Africa’s captain and most capped player–female or male (photo courtesy: ISI photo)
“(Van Wyk) was recently named as one of the four finalists for the African Footballer of the Year Award – that is the quality she brings to the team,” Dash head coach Randy Waldrum said in a team release. “Janine also brings a wealth of international experience to the club. I felt we had to address our central defending positions this offseason and add more experience and leadership. Janine certainly fills that need.”
Central defense has been a problem area for the Dash since their launch in 2014. They were originally allocated Whitney Engen, but the end of her Swedish contract combined with national team call-ups conspired to limit her to 11 starts. She was later shipped to Western New York in the trade that landed the Dash Carli Lloyd.
Last month the Dash signed another defender, Brazilian Bruna Benites.
Van Wyk drew rave reviews for her performance against the United States in friendlies ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games. Among her 142 caps are appearances for South Africa at the last two Olympics.
