In a pair of blockbuster trades, the Spirit sent star midfielder Ashley Sanchez to the North Carolina Courage for the No. 5 pick and $250,000 in allocation money, and dealt defensive stalwart Sam Staab to the Chicago Red Stars for the No. 3 selection.
The deals gave the Spirit four first-round picks, the most of the 14 teams gathered in Anaheim, Calif.. The club used them to assemble a strong group: Georgia midfielder Croix Bethune (No. 3), Clemson midfielder Hal Hershfelt (No. 5), Penn State defender Kate Wiesner (No. 7) and Clemson defender Makenna Morris (No. 13).
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But they came at a price.