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As speculated earlier today, FC Kansas City announced that they acquired U.S. Women's National Team forward Amy Rodriguez (better known as A-Rod)in a trade with Seattle Reign FC. The Blues had to give up talented midfielder/defender Kristie Mewis to get Rodriguez.
"I was surprised when I heard that Kansas City was interested in me," Rodriguez said about the trade in the press release. "I watched them play in Seattle last season and from a soccer standpoint I'm very excited about the prospects. I love the style and strategy they use in their play."
Rodriguez was allocated to Seattle as part of U.S. Soccer's allotment of players to NWSL but soon discovered she was pregnant and sat the season out. Seattle had made a deal to trade her rights to Chicago for Keelin Winters but as an allocated National Team player Rodriguez was able to veto her part of the trade. Winters still went to Seattle.
It was no worry that she would not come to Kansas City when the Blues made the deal for her. NWSL MVP and national team star Lauren Holiday practically guaranteed that A-Rod would come to Kansas City. It turns out that A-Rod and Holliday are great friends, Rodriguez was even at Holliday's wedding last summer.
How the trade makes sense
With the still unconfirmed signing of Nikki Krzysik by FC Kansas City, an outside back became more expendable. Trade value for Kristie Mewis is high and Seattle wants her to play an attacking mid or outside forward where her speed can help generate offense.
Vlatko Andonovski, FC Kansas City's coach was searching for the perfect forward for his system. A forward that can play by herself up top, hold the ball up to bring the midfield into play and then act as second or third runner and finish.
A-Rod can be that forward but it remains to be seen if she still is that forward after taking a year off. By all reports she is has been diligently working out the U.S. National trainer told FC Kansas City staff that Rodriguez was further along than they had hoped.
Rodriguez must be in decent shape since U.S. coach Tom Sermanni has stated plans to call her into the December camp.
Seattle has been trading away all of their forwards so they either have plans on moving Mewis (or another roster player) up top or they have a big signing/trade for a forward in the works.