The Houston Dash have acquired Allysha Chapman and two 2nd round picks from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for their 1st round pick in 2019. The Dash acquired the Courage’s 2nd round pick in 2019 plus the Seattle Reign’s pick which had previously been traded to the Courage. The Dash also own the Pride’s 2nd round pick giving them four total for the time being.
The Courage selected Chapman in the Boston Breakers dispersal draft but she has been buried on the depth chart and played only 14 minutes in a single appearance through seven matches. In Houston she is a likely starter at left back which will allow Kristie Mewis to find a more permanent home higher up the pitch. Coach Vera Pauw sacrificed attack for defense early in the season by starting Mewis and Rachel Daly at fullback. Last weekend in New Jersey she moved them both up and the teams scored three goals and won for the first time this season.
The Dash will not have to pay Chapman’s salary since she is allocated by the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), and because she passed through the dispersal draft, will not count against the Dash’s roster total. She will be available for selection Wednesday night against the Thorns.
The Courage pick is the fifth of next year’s 1st round picks to be traded. Below is the status of 1st round picks for all nine teams.
Chicago Red Stars: own their pick
Houston Dash: pick owned by North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage: pick owned by Seattle Reign FC
Orlando Pride: pick owned by Washington Spirit
Portland Thorns FC: own their pick
Seattle Reign FC: pick owned by Utah Royals FC
Sky Blue FC: own their pick
Utah Royals FC: own their pick (1st overall per expansion agreement)
Washington Spirit: pick conditionally owned by Sky Blue FC