The Chicago Red Stars dealt the third overall pick in Friday night’s NWSL draft to the Washington Spirit in exchange for veteran defender Sam Staab.
The Red Stars later made moves to acquire the 10th and 15th overall picks in the draft.
Staab, 26, spent the past five NWSL seasons with the Spirit and totaled four goals over 93 appearances. She has earned NWSL Ironwoman honors three times, having played in every possible regular-season minute for her club three times, including in 2023.
Staab’s durability also helped her set a league record for most consecutive regular-season starts, an active streak currently at 90.
The Red Stars then dealt longtime defender Arin Wright to Racing Louisville in exchange for the 15th overall pick and $125,000 in allocation money. Wright, 31, is a Kentucky native and requested to join her home state’s team, according to Chicago.
Chicago later acquired the No. 10 pick from the North Carolina Courage for $175,000 of allocation money.
–Field Level Media