Notebook: Lohman retires; Pride acquire Reid from Courage; more preseason news
The latest news from around the NWSL

by Jacqueline PurdyApril 9, 2019

Spirit midfielder Joanna Lohman announced her retirement on Monday. (Photo credit: Daniel Bartel/isiphotos.com)
Spirit midfielder Joanna Lohman announced her retirement on Monday. (Photo credit: Daniel Bartel/isiphotos.com)

Washington Spirit midfielder Joanna Lohman announced her retirement on Monday.

Lohman will be taking on a new role within the Spirit organization, the club said, with a concentration on community outreach. According to the club, “Lohman will aim to inspire and create a more personal connection with fans, players and those who need help on their journey towards self-acceptance.”

Lohman has played in NWSL and Women’s Professional Soccer in the United States, as well as in Europe. She played for the Boston Breakers in 2013 and 2014, and joined the Spirit in 2015.

“Soccer has been a massive part of my journey to self-acceptance. It also served as an avenue for me to establish my true identity,” Lohman said in a statement released by the club. “I personally have experienced the power of sport. … I want to make everyone who interacts with our organization to feel comfortable in their own skin.

The Spirit said Lohman will be honored on Pride Night on June 22.

The Orlando Pride have acquired defender Morgan Reid from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for the Pride’s natural fourth-round pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.

Reid was drafted by the Courage in the fourth round of the 2018 NWSL College Draft out of Duke University. She did not see the field for the Courage in NWSL action, but appeared in both matches as North Carolina claimed the Women’s International Champions Cup trophy last summer.

“Morgan brings depth to our backline in an important year where we’ll be losing up to nine internationals to the Women’s World Cup,” Pride general manager Erik Ustruck said in a club news release.”She defends on the front foot, she’s comfortable with the ball at both feet and likes to attack out of the back. Her versatility will help strengthen the core of our roster and we’re looking forward to seeing how she adapts to our playing style.”

The NWSL Players Association announced its new Executive Board and team player reps last week. Brooke Elby has been voted NWSLPA president and Tori Huster has been voted vice president. Nicole Barnhart is secretary and Emily Menges is treasurer.

Sky Blue FC midfielder Madison Tiernan suffered complete tears to the ACL and MCL in her right knee and will miss the 2019 season, Sky Blue FC announced last week. She will undergo surgery in the next few weeks and recover at her New Jersey home, the club said.

“If there is one thing I know for sure, the next several months ahead are going to be the hardest of my life. I’m going to attack everyday with everything I have to get back to being Madison … but this time, even stronger,” Tiernan wrote in a post shared on social media.

View this post on Instagram

Life has a funny way of knocking us off our feet and making us question everything. I’ve been looking for the right words to say in this bleak situation and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to explain how I feel. My identity, my why, the sport I’ve given all of my blood, sweat and tears to for almost 20 years of my life has suddenly ripped me to pieces. The ugly truth: I tore my ACL. If there is one thing I know for sure, the next several months ahead are going to be the hardest of my life. I’m going to attack everyday with everything I have to get back to being Madison…but this time, even stronger. I’m so lucky to have the greatest family, the most supportive boyfriend, incredible friends and teammates, and even young girls who challenge me and teach me so much about what happiness truly is. To my Sky Blue sisters: I promise I will be the loudest person on the sidelines all year pushing all of you past your limits. You all are my motivation to climb this hill every single day. Jersey, once again, has showed me how loved and supported I am and that we can get through this together. So don’t you worry…I’ll be back with an even stronger fire in my soul xxoo ?❤️

A post shared by Madison Tiernan (@madisontiernan) on

Sky Blue FC defender Mandy Freeman has torn her right Achilles tendon, Sky Blue FC announced last week. She has undergone surgery and will likely miss the 2019 season, the club said.

“Sad to miss this season but looking forward to cheering on my teammates. I believe in this team with all my heart and can’t wait to see us reach new heights of success this year,” Freeman wrote on Twitter.

Sky Blue FC has announced that the team will train at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. this season. The team will train on the newly-finished turf field and Georgian Court University features a wellness center that has a training room, hydro room, fitness center, laundry room, ice baths, team meeting spaces and full locker rooms, Sky Blue FC said.

“We have an excellent relationship with Georgian Court University and are thrilled they will serve as our official training facility,” Sky Blue FC president and general manager Tony Novo said in club news release. “In the past few months, we worked closely with the Georgian Court athletic administration to ensure that our players have all the resources they need to succeed.”

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