Seattle Reign FC Acquire Steph Catley and Jasmyne Spencer from Orlando Pride
Seattle Reign FC announced today that the club has acquired defender Stephanie Catley from the Orlando Pride in exchange for defender Carson Pickett and midfielder Christine Nairn.
In a separate transaction, Reign FC acquired forward Jasmyne Spencer from the Orlando Pride in exchange for goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer and Seattle’s natural third-round pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft.
Catley spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the Pride after beginning her NWSL career with Portland Thorns FC in 2014 and 2015. The defender has made 35 appearances for the Pride, scoring one goal. The Melbourne native is currently with Melbourne City FC of the Australian W-League, along with Reign FC players Jessica Fishlock, Lauren Barnes, Lydia Williams, Larissa Crummer, and Jodie Taylor.
Spencer has been in the NWSL since the inaugural 2013 season, when she played for the Washington Spirit. After spending the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Western New York Flash, the Pride selected Spencer in the NWSL Expansion Draft. Spencer has made 40 appearances for Orlando, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.
“Catley is one of the best outside backs in the world and will provide a tremendous boost to our squad,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “The addition of Spencer will add a new dimension to our attack, complementing what we have in Naho, Rapinoe, Yanez, Crummer and Taylor.”
Stephanie Catley
Position: D
Height: 5’7”
Born: 1/26/1994
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Last Club: Orlando Pride
Jasmyne Spencer
Position: F
Height: 5’0”
Born: 8/27/1990
Hometown: Bay Shore, New York
Last Club: Orlando Pride
Pickett was Reign FC’s 6th overall draft pick in the 2016 NWSL draft. Pickett made 36 appearances and tallyed one assist in her two seasons with the club. Nairn returned to Seattle Reign FC in 2017, scoring one goal and providing four assists in 23 appearances last season.
Kopmeyer has been with Seattle Reign FC since its inaugural 2013 season. Selected by Reign FC with the second-to-last pick in the 2013 NWSL draft, Kopmeyer made 47 appearances, totaling 185 saves, during her five seasons with the club. Kopmeyer helped the club set an NWSL record for most consecutive shutouts with five during the 2016 season.
“Given Kopmeyer’s history and success over her five seasons with the Reign, this was a very difficult decision for the club to make. Haley is a special person and player, and we are deeply appreciative of all she contributed on and off the pitch,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “Both Nairn and Pickett were important members of the organization as well, and we believe both will find great success in Orlando. While these decisions are always challenging, we are confident the roster we are building will put us in a strong position to compete for a playoff slot this season.”
