Midfielder Rose Lavelle, left, starred at the University of Wisconsin and made her U.S. national team debut last spring. Washington was slated to pick second, but in the hours before the draft, the Spirit swapped positions with Sky Blue FC to take Lavelle. The former Wisconsin star made her national team debut last March and has become one of several rising stars for Coach Jill Ellis. Lavelle joins a Washington squad featuring national team members Mallory Pugh, 19; Andi Sullivan, 22; and Taylor Smith, 24. Last week, Washington acquired goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe from the Orlando Pride for captain Shelina Zadorsky, a Canadian national team defender.

Source: Washington Post January 30, 2018 21:37 UTC