The National Women’s Soccer League witnessed significant roster shifts this week, highlighted by Gotham FC’s trade of standout rookie Lilly Reale and Angel City’s dismissal of head coach Alex Straus amid midseason adjustments.
Gotham FC, sitting at No. 14 in the league, made a decisive move by trading 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year Lilly Reale to Boston’s Legacy team. In return, Gotham secured $350,000 in expansion allocation funds, a strategic acquisition aimed at bolstering their roster depth moving forward.
“Lilly has been an important part of our club since joining Gotham FC last season,” noted President of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. “She has made significant contributions to our success on and off the field, and we are grateful for everything she has brought.”
Angel City’s Midseason Shake-Up
Angel City FC, currently ranked No. 12, initiated the day by trading 19-year-old midfielder Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC. This deal brought in $500,000 in intra-league transfer funds alongside an additional $20,000 in allocation money. Bay FC’s coach Emma Coates expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, praising Fuller’s creative playmaking and potential for growth.
“Kennedy is an exciting player and a fantastic addition,” Coates stated. “Her creativity and quality on the ball make her a joy to watch and will add to our attack. What is most exciting is the room she has to continue developing, and I believe she has a very bright future ahead of her at Bay FC.”
Just hours after the Fuller trade, Angel City announced the termination of head coach Alex Straus. Straus, who joined the club in early 2025 after a successful tenure at Bayern Munich—where he secured consecutive Frauen-Bundesliga titles—will be replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Leif Gunnar Smerud as the team searches for a permanent successor.