Also in today’s Roundup, the Reign announce 2018 preseason schedule, and the Dash and Spirit make roster moves
Sydney Leroux is heading to Orlando where she will be reunited with her husband, Orlando City SC striker Dom Dwyer. (Photo Copyright Patricia Giobetti for The Equalizer)
The Orlando Pride have acquired Sydney Leroux from the Utah Royals. In exchange for the 27-year old forward, the Royals will receive the Reign’s 1st round pick in 2019. The Pride acquired that pick from the Reign earlier this week. The move will reunite Leroux with her husband, Dom Dwyyer who was traded to MLS side Orlando City SC last season.
“I’m delighted to bring a player of Sydney’s caliber and pedigree to the Pride,” head coach Tom Sermanni said. “Sydney has a great work ethic, strong footballing skills and a wonderful personality that I know will fit in well with the team culture here in Orlando. We’re excited to add her to our already potent offensive force.”
Leroux had 6 goals and 2 assists for FC Kansas City last season after missing all of 2016 on maternity leave. Her contract was subsequently transferred to Utah Royals FC after the Kansas City club folded last fall.
Leroux immediately took to social media to express her excitement about the move.
We’re ready. https://t.co/8tHR1JKhLb
— Sydney Leroux Dwyer (@sydneyleroux) February 2, 2018
Leroux joins an already powerful offense that features Marta and Alex Morgan who were an unstoppable duo last summer. Second-year forward Rachel Hill is currently tearing up the Australian W-League.
Reign announce preseason schedule
(photo copyright EriMac Photo for The Equalizer)
Seattle Reign FC announced their preseason schedule on Friday and it has a ring of familiarity to it. The Reign will face the University of Washington March 8 at Husky Stadium for what will be the fifth consecutive preseason meeting between the two. The Reign have won the previous four exhibitions against the school coached by Leslie Gallimore who was a popular figure in her years as analyst on Reign webcasts.
The Reign’s other match will be March 13 against UCLA at the SilverLakes Complex in Norco, California. The Reign also played UCLA last spring.
The match against Washington will be an opportunity for fans to contribute $5 to the Austen Everett Foundation which works to inspire, empower, and improve the lives of kids battling cancer.
Full Reign preseason details:
March 8 vs University of Washington; Husly Soccer Stadium, 6:30 p.m. PDT
March 13 vs UCLA; the SilverLakes Complex; 8:00 p.m. PDT
Dash, Spirit make roster moves
The Dash and Spirit made roster moves on Friday. Most notably the Dash announced the retirement of Sarah Hagen and the Spirit waived Alyssa Kleiner. The Dash also announced the re-signed Cami Privett, Caity Heap, and Bianca Henninger and reinforced that Meghan Cox will sit out the season to return to school.
Alyssa Kleiner, right, has been waived after two seasons with the Washington Spirit. (photo copyright EriMac Photo for The Equalizer)
The Dash appear to be opting to go with three goalkeepers this season. They drafted Sammy Jo Prudhomme in the Boston Breakers dispersal draft and have the option of carrying her for the season without spending a roster spot or having her contract count against the salary cap.
Kleiner spent two seasons in Washington after showing herself as an amateur in Portland during the 2015 World Cup. Kleiner played 98 minutes in the 2016 NWSL Championship when she replaced Caprice Dydasco after Dydasco tore her ACL.
