It’s no secret that something has to be done for Angel City FC to turn their season around. This is something we have talked about, and with the NWSL Trade Deadline yesterday, it was another opportunity for the team to do just that. While expected to possibly trade for players to help shakeup the squad, the team announced today a pair of trades that sees a couple of players head out, but not for players coming in. Defender Paige Nielsen and midfielder Amandine Henry have been traded away from Angel City for money. Nielsen heads to the Houston Dash for $50k in Allocation money and $50k in Transfer Funds, while Henry heads to Utah Royals for $75k in Allocation money.
Always part of the ACFC family đź’Şđź–¤
Thank you, @Paigenielsen & @amandinehenry6.#AngelCityFC announce two strategic trades ahead of the closing of the NWSL trade window. Defender Paige Nielsen has been traded to Houston Dash. Midfielder Amandine Henry will head to Utah Royals FC.— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 20, 2024
The team are calling the moves “strategic player trades” that free up both cap and roster space. “These moves are a key component of our strategy to continue to build for the immediate and future. While decisions like these are never easy, these movements do enable us to make impactful additions to our roster in the coming months,” said ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano in a statement.
“We are grateful to Paige for her part in the history of Angel City,” continued Hucles. “She helped lay the foundation for what we started and continue to grow here. Her love for the fans and her teammates has been felt from day one and we wish her all the best.”
Nielsen arrived in 2022 after being selected by the team in the fourth round of the NWSL Expansion Draft. Since then Nielsen has flourished at Angel City, making 43 appearances, accumulating 3,347 minutes of playtime. She was a huge key in the playoff run last season, with her partnership with Sarah Gorden quickly becoming one of the better ones in the league.
Amandine Henry joined in 2023 as much needed midfield depth as well as a player that brought veteran, and championship experience. She made nine appearances for the club, and while she didn’t feature a ton, she was an important presence around the squad. With the midfield struggling, she was one that was looked at as possibly getting more time, but alas, she is now on her way to Utah.
“We greatly appreciate Amandine’s interest in and willingness to return to the US and this league,” continued Mangano. “While her time with Angel City has been short, her impact has been felt, on and off the pitch.”
The team now have a pile of cash, but more holes to fill in the squad. These moves also point to the return of Christen Press likely a lot closer than we think, as the roster space was something the team was always going to need upon her return. With that in mind, the team have one free roster spot, a lot of cash, and a fair amount of needs. Finding a player who is a killer in front of goal, or one capable of creating shots not just for themselves, but others, would be great places to start.
Thoughts on the trades? Leave a comment below!