Less than two weeks after winning its first championship, the Washington Spirit on Wednesday confronted the uncomfortable realities of the National Women’s Soccer League’s growth — and an impending expansion draft — by trading Tegan McGrady to the San Diego Wave.
The Spirit would have preferred to retain the left back, but with San Diego and Los Angeles-based Angel City FC joining the league next season, Washington was in danger of losing two players in the Dec. 16 draft.
With this preemptive move — which also included Washington giving up a low 2022 first-round draft pick and an international roster slot — the Spirit received immunity from San Diego selecting one of its unprotected players.