Three-way trade over shines NWSL College Draft 

CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars have completed a deal that landed them Australian forward Sam Kerr and midfielder Nikki Stanton, plus the 24th overall selection in this year’s draft by way of a three-team trade with the Houston Dash and Sky Blue FC.

“Sam is a player that any team in the league would jump to get,” said Red Stars head coach Rory Dames. “She is a young and eager forward that has proven to be one of the best in the world. Then we get Nikki, who for us can be a solid 6 or 8 and really push our current mix of players. We couldn’t be happier to have both Sam and Nikki in Chicago.”

Kerr joined Sky Blue in 2015 after the Women’s World Cup in Canada. She went on to lead Sky Blue with six goals in just nine appearances. In 2016, Kerr scored five goals in nine appearances, being away on National Team duty in preparation for the Olympic Games.

However, it was 2017 that became the “Year of Kerr,” earning the single-game goal record (4) and single-season goal record (17), ultimately winning the NWSL Golden Boot and MVP award. Kerr currently holds the leagues goal-scoring record with 43 total goals.

Stanton competed with Sky Blue since 2014 after playing with the reserve team. She started 20 of 41 games for the New Jersey side. Both Stanton and Kerr have been playing for Perth Glory in Australia’s W-League during the NWSL offseason the past few seasons.

In the three-team swap completed during the NWSL College Draft on Thursday, the Red Stars traded U.S. Women’s National Team forward Christen Press, Chicago’s seventh-overall pick and an international spot to Houston Dash in exchange for fellow U.S. WNT member Carli Lloyd, Canadian international Janine Beckie and two draft picks.

Chicago then flipped Lloyd and Beckie to Sky Blue FC and received Kerr and Stanton in return, while also giving New Jersey Red Stars forward Jen Hoy.

Press, the Red Stars captain for the last two seasons, has been consistently one of the best players in the NWSL since joining Chicago in 2014. Press started 60 of 62 games over the last three and a half years, logging 36 goals and six assists, while earning NWSL Best XI twice during her time in Chicago.

“For three and a half years Christen did everything we asked her to do,” Dames said. “We can’t thank Christen enough for her time here, but we had run our course together and mutually agreed it was time. Her time that she gave to this club and this city is invaluable and we wish her the best of luck in Houston.”

A player on the inaugural Chicago NWSL team, Hoy appeared in 77 games for the Red Stars, netting 15 goals and assisting on 10. She totaled nearly 3,300 minutes in the forward position.

“Jen was someone that has been with us since the beginning,” Dames added about Hoy. “Her commitment to this team and organization has been top class and I can’t thank Jen enough for everything.”

Kerr and the Chicago Red Stars return to Toyota Park this spring. Season Tickets and Flex Packs are on sale now, and fans can secure 2018 Season Tickets for as low as $180. Visit chicagoredstars.com to purchase your tickets today.

TRADE BREAKDOWN

Chicago Red Stars Receive: No. 24 draft pick in 2018 NWSL Draft, Sam Kerr, Nicki Stanton
Houston Dash Receive: No. 7 draft pick in 2018 NWSL Draft, an international roster slot, Christen Press
Sky Blue FC Receive: No. 6 and No. 13 draft pick in 2018 NWSL Draft, Carli Lloyd, Janine Beckie, Jen Hoy