Washington Spirit Acquire Arielle Ship from Seattle
The Washington Spirit are reloading their frontline for the 2017 NWSL Season following the loss of Crystal Dunn and Cali Farquharson. The Spirit traded midfielder Diana Matheson for Seattle Reign’s 2017 NWSL draftee Arielle Ship. The Cal Berkeley product finished her collegiate career with 29 goals and 14 assists.
NWSL Soccer News: The Washington Spirit has acquired the rights to 2017 NWSL draftee Arielle Ship and a 2018 draft pick from Seattle Reign FC in exchange for Canada National Team midfielder Diana Matheson.
In addition to Ship, who received Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2015 and finished her career at Cal Berkeley with 29 goals and 14 assists, the Spirit received Seattle’s third-round pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.
“Ari is a player we believe can come in and challenge immediately for a starting spot just about anywhere in our attacking end,” Spirit general manager and head coach Jim Gabarra explained. “She’s a very creative player who provides that double threat of either providing a goal or scoring one herself. Ari is someone we feel has a long future as a professional, so this is another player who has the ability to contribute to the Spirit for many years to come.”
A real goal scorer and teammate — during her 67 appearances with the Spirit, Matheson recorded 23 goals and 12 assists — both club records.
Despite missing time to win her second consecutive Olympic bronze medal with Canada in 2016, the Ontario native scored four goals, tied for second on the Spirit. The Canada National Team veteran has been a member of four FIFA Women’s World Cup teams (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015) and three Olympic teams (2008, 2012, 2016).
“I want to thank Diana for all she has invested in our club,” said Gabarra. “She has been a true professional and contributed in many ways to the growth, development, and success of our team.”
Ship joins a Spirit squad all battling for the opportunity to fill the shoes of Matheson, U.S. Women’s National Team forward Crystal Dunn, and 2016 draftee Cali Farquharson, who is recovering from a late season ACL tear. Farquharson is likely to return before the end of the 2017 season, while Dunn is expected back in Washington in 2018.
The club will announce its preseason schedule in the near future, which will feature top collegiate opponents.
Photo Credit: University of California, Berkeley Athletics
