Brazilian forward Debinha has signed with the Western New York Flash of the NWSL
On Thursday afternoon, the Boston Breakers and Chicago Red Stars exchanged draft picks ahead of the 2017 NWSL College Draft on January 12th. Chicago sent over their 8th and 38th overall picks to Boston in exchange for Boston’s 12th, 16th and 21st overall picks.
With the addition of these two picks, Boston now has 7 total picks, with four of them held in the first round at positions 1,3,8 and 9. The additional three picks will be at 11, 31, and 38. Chicago now holds five selections in the draft with two picks in the second and third round respectfully as well as one in the last round.
In 2016, the Breakers landed three players at the Draft in defender Christen Westphal (No. 3 overall pick), forward Brittany Ratcliffe (No. 17 overall pick), and goalkeeper Abby Smith (No. 27 overall pick). The Breakers ended the 2016 season with a record of 3-15-2 leaving them in last place in the NWSL standings for the second season in a row. To date, Boston has acquired Canadian defender Allysha Chapman, defender Megan Oyster, New Zealand midfielder Rosie White, midfielder Amanda Da Costa, and Norwegian forward Emilie Haavi, despite losing Kristie Mewis, Kassey Kallman, Louise Schillgard, and Elise Krieghoff.
Chicago finished 2016 in 3rd place after a semifinals lost to the Spirit with a record on 9-5-6. As the youngest team in the league, they were still able to be a strong contender in the playoffs in search of their first title. Chicago has seen a much quieter off-season to date than the Breakers with their only player acquisition being UNC star Summer Green.
The 2017 NWSL College Draft will be held on Thursday, January 12th in Los Angeles at the NSCAA Convention at 3p.m. ET.
Flash sign Brazilian Forward Debinha
In addition to the Boston-Chicago movement, the Western New York Flash announced that they have just signed Brazilian forward Debinha. The 25-year old forward has 54 appearances for the Brazilian National Team including an appearance at this past summer’s 2016 Olympics. She has scored 21 goals in a Brazil uniform since 2011 which leaves her at the 7th position on Brazil’s all-time scoring sheet. Most recently, Debinha played for Dalian Quanjian in the Chinese Women’s Super League during 2016. Prior to that, she spent three seasons with Avaldsnes IL in the Norwegian Toppserien.
Debinha will be joining the 2016 NWSL Championship team who finished off last season 9-6-5 after defeating the Washington Spirit in penalty kicks to win the trophy.
