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Boston Breakers Acquire World Cup Champion Defender Whitney Engen

November 23, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Boston Breakers News Release


HANOVER, Mass. - The Boston Breakers announced today that the club has acquired U.S. Women's National Team defender Whitney Engen, a second-round pick (No. 17 overall) in the 2016 College Draft and their natural second-round pick in the 2017 College Draft from the Chicago Red Stars. In return, the Breakers are trading goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and a third-round selection (No. 22 overall) in the 2016 NWSL College Draft.

Engen, a member of the U.S. Women's World Cup championship team in 2015, most recently was a member of the Western New York Flash, where she played every minute of all 12 matches she appeared in during the 2015 season.

"Whitney is a great addition to our roster," said Boston Breakers head coach Matt Beard, who had Engen on his Liverpool LFC team in 2013. "She is a world-class center back with great leadership qualities. I am excited to be working with her again."

Engen, who is capped 26 times for the U.S. Women's National Team, has appeared in three matches for the U.S. in 2015. She played 1,051 minutes in 13 games in 2014, when she scored two goals for the U.S., including one at the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship. Engen debuted with the senior team on March 4, 2011, against Norway and scored her first goal on March 8, 2013, against China.

On the professional level, Engen, 27, has evolved into one of the best center backs in the world. The 2011 Women's Professional Soccer Defender of the Year with the Western New York Flash, Engen also starred for the Chicago Red Stars in WPS, starting all 24 games in 2010. The No. 4 overall selection in the 2010 WPS Draft by Chicago, Engen later took her game overseas, playing for Swedish champions Tyreso (2011, 2012) and FA Women's Super League winners Liverpool LFC. There, she helped guide the Reds to their first-ever FAWSL title in 2013 under Beard.

The Rolling Hills Estates, Calif. native played her college soccer at the University of North Carolina, where she led the Tar Heels to three NCAA National Championships (2006, 2008, 2009).

Naeher played five seasons in Boston, debuting in 2010 in Women's Professional Soccer. After two WPS seasons, Naeher, the franchise leader in saves (375), went overseas to play for 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in Germany before returning to Boston during the 2013 NWSL season. She was named 2014 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year and twice earned NWSL Player of the Week honors.

"On behalf of everyone at the Breakers, I cannot thank Alyssa enough. We have so much respect for Alyssa, and this was a very tough decision for a lot of us at the club," Boston Breakers general manager Lee Billiard said. "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."

Season tickets for 2016 are now on sale at www.breakerstickets.com or by calling 617-945-1704.



National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 23, 2015


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