Red Stars coach Rory Dames said his team had three needs to address this offseason: depth in the midfield, adding to their attack and another goalie.
There was uncertainty on how that would happen with so many questions surrounding the 2021 NWSL draft and potential picks’ NCAA eligibility.
Tuesday afternoon Dames and the organization hit two of those three needs acquiring forward Mallory Pugh and midfielder Sarah Killion Woldmoe from Sky Blue FC in exchange for the fourth and eighth overall selections in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and an international slot for 2021 and 2022.
Dames was adamant that there was no one they could have taken in the 2021 draft that would amount to what his team collectively got in this Christmas season trade.
“I don’t know that there’s anybody of Mal’s level in the draft outside of maybe one player that would be coming [into the league],” Dames said. “You take Mal’s experience internationally, and in the league, there’s certainly nobody that matches that. I think Sarah is very similar to Kealia [Watt] for us last year that we’re bringing in a player with experience, a player that was a captain. Those attributes, you can’t quantify them.”
Dames and owner/CEO Arnim Whisler both said they aren’t done building a roster that will put the Red Stars back in the NWSL final, but this move alone sets up expectations they will be competing for a championship.
Assuming she is healthy, Pugh provides an instant spark to a front line that includes Watt and Rachel Hill, who in the final weeks of the Fall Series began to show their true scoring potential.
The 22-year-old has already made 63 appearances with the U.S. Women’s National Team since her January 2016 debut, scoring 13 goals and compiling 17 assists. In 41 NWSL appearances, Pugh has scored 10 goals and assisted four.
Pugh missed all of the 2020 season due to injury apart from one game during the Fall Series in which she came off the bench and registered an assist. Her health is a big question, but both Dames and Pugh expressed confidently that Chicago is the right place for her to return to peak performance.
Woldmoe, who was selected second overall in the 2015 NWSL draft, brings more league experience. In her 116 NWSL appearances, she has tallied 11 goals and nine assists. Dames said he doesn’t have a defined role for Woldmoe but expects her to come in and compete for a spot as a starter.
“[This move] puts everyone on notice,” Dames said. “That every day you’re going to have to compete to get better. You’re going to have to want to improve. To get in the 11 is going to be really hard.”
Pugh and Woldmoe both said the reputation the Red Stars established as having one of the toughest training environments in the NWSL is what they're most looking forward to being a part of.
That environment and the players who established it have led to championship expectations that this organization has grown accustomed to. Whisler was clear that in 2021 they are aiming for the top.
“This year is going to be special,” he said.
