The Washington Spirit moved to avoid any unpleasant developments in Friday’s NWSL expansion draft by making a pair of trades Tuesday that gave the club protection from having its roster pilfered.
The Spirit had to pay an immediate price, however, to the two clubs participating in the draft. Washington sent midfielder Dorian Bailey to Bay FC and its two second-round picks in January’s NWSL draft to Utah Royals FC. The deals ensure that neither expansion team will select a player Friday who is currently contracted to the Spirit.
“Dorian is a dynamic player and made a significant and lasting impact on the Spirit organization as a whole,” Mark Krikorian, the Spirit’s president of soccer operations and general manager, said in a statement.