Breakers Trade Naeher To Chicago
- Updated: November 23, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
In a startling move, the Boston Breakers sent 2014 Goalkeeper of the Year Alyssa Naeher to the Chicago Red Stars for defender Whitney Engen on Monday.
The trade, which also sent the Breakers’ 2016 third-round pick (22nd overall) to Chicago while the Red Stars dealt their natural 2017 second-round pick to Boston, signals the end of a remarkable, five-year run for Naeher in Boston.
“On behalf of everyone at the Breakers, I cannot thank Alyssa enough,” Breakers general manager Lee Billiard said in a team release. “We have so much respect for Alyssa, and this was a very tough decision for a lot of us at the club. Alyssa has been a long and outstanding servant of the club, both on and off the field, an amazing professional. We wish nothing but the best for her in Chicago and her continued success at the national team level.”
The Bridgeport, Conn. native was a mainstay in the back for the Breakers going back to their WPS days. Earlier this year, she was called by the U.S. up for her first Women’s World Cup, which the team won for the first time in 16 years.
Meanwhile, the Breakers get a World Cup winner of their own in Engen, who played every game for the Red Stars in 2015. Engan played for Breakers head coach Matt Beard in 2013 while both were at Liverpool LFC.
“Whitney is a great addition to our roster,” Beard said in a team release. “She is a world-class center back with great leadership qualities. I am excited to be working with her again.”
With Naeher Chicago-bound, the Breakers acquired another former Liverpool LFC product in goalkeeper Libby Stout, who played for Beard between 2014 and 2015.
“I’m delighted to be bringing Libby to Boston,” Beard said. “She is a very good goalkeeper, and she has the potential to be one of the best in the league. I’m looking forward to continuing working with Libby.”
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