Flash Acquire Whitney Engen, Becky Edwards and a 2016 Pick from Houston for Carli Lloyd
Published on October 16, 2014 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. (Thursday, October 16, 2014) - The Western New York Flash have acquired U.S. Women's National Team defender Whitney Engen, midfielder Becky Edwards and a third round pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft from the Houston Dash in exchange for U.S. Women's National Team midfielder Carli Lloyd.
The trade returns Engen and Edwards to Western New York where they were both members of the Flash's 2011 WPS Championship-winning team.
"I'm excited about the acquisitions; we thought this was a move that would strengthen our roster. We're in a rebuilding phase as we look to get back to where we want to be," Flash general manager and head coach Aaran Lines said. "Obviously I'm very familiar with Becky Edwards and Whitney Engen, both being here in 2011 and having won the WPS Championship with the us. So I'm very excited to welcome them both back into our club."
Engen, 26, was allocated to the Dash by the NWSLfor the team's inaugural season. After missing the first half of the 2014 season due to commitments with Swedish club Tyresö, Engen joined the Dash midway through the campaign and participated in 11 games. The defender started all of those matches and totaled two shots in her 978 minutes.
A native of Torrance, Ca., Engen was a four-year starter at the University of North Carolina. After playing for the W-League's Pali Blues in 2009, she was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars for the 2010 WPS season. After seeing all but four minutes of the 2010 campaign, Engen signed with the Flash and went on to not only lead the team to the title, but also was named WPS Defender of the Year and was on the league's Best XI.
Following her time with the Flash, Engen returned to Tyresö in 2011, the Blues in 2012 and the Liverpool Ladies in 2013, leading Liverpool to the FA WSL title.
On the international stage, Engen has recorded 19 caps for the USWNT and has scored two goals during her career. On Monday, she was named to the 20-player roster that will compete in the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship.
Edwards, 26, started in 23 games for Houston in 2014, playing every minute of those matches and recording two assists. A native of Downingtown, Pa., Edwards spent the 2013 NWSL season as a member of Portland Thorns FC but suffered a season-ending ACL tear after the first 10 games. She was later picked up by the Dash in the 2014 Expansion Draft.
Prior to winning the 2011 WPS Championship with the Flash, Edwards was a part of FC Gold Pride's 2010 title-winning roster during her rookie season. A graduate of Florida State University, Edwards had a brief stint at Sweden's Hammarby IF before signing with Kristianstad DFF at the start of the 2012 season.
Edwards is currently on loan playing with Kristianstad DFF.
Lloyd, 32, was allocated to the Flash at the start of the inaugural NWSL season. In her two seasons with Western New York, the midfielder featured in 34 games for a total of 2,996 minutes. The New Jersey native scored 16 goals and registered five assists over her career with the Flash. Lloyd was also named NWSL Player of the Week twice, once in 2013 and again in 2014.
A staple in the USA midfield, Lloyd has totaled 176 career international caps and is currently the second-highest goal scorer on the squad with 51 goals.
"I want to thank Carli for the two years she was with the club. She provided tremendous service both on and off the field, part of the fact it was her best two years in club football," Lines said. "I wish her all the best for the future, both professionally and personally."
Edwards and Kristianstad DFF will return to action on Sunday, hosting Kopparberg/Göteborg FC. Engen and Lloyd team up to face Trinidad & Tobago on October 15 in Kansas City in the USWNT's opening game of the CONCACAF Women's Championship.
Whitney Engen
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 11/27/1987
Birthplace: Torrance, Ca.
Height: 5-7
Previous club: Houston Dash
How acquired: via trade on October 7, 2014
Becky Edwards
Position: Midfield
Date of Birth: 05/22/1988
Birthplace: Downingtown, Pa.
Height: 5-7
Previous club: Houston Dash
How acquired: via trade on October 7, 2014
National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 16, 2014
- Flash Acquire Whitney Engen, Becky Edwards and a 2016 Pick from Houston for Carli Lloyd - Western New York Flash
- Boston Breaker Mollie Pathman Takes the Pitch for the UEFA Women's Champions League - Boston Breakers
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