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The trade of Sydney Leroux from Seattle did not come as a big surprise but where she ended up and the other the other side of the trade was. A lot of fans expected Leroux would ask to be traded and that she would end up in Kansas City.
When it became known that Sydney Leroux and Sporting Kansas City's Dom Dwyer were married in the off season there was immediate speculation that Leroux might end up playing for defending NWSL champions FC Kansas City.
Instead, Seattle Reign FC sent Leroux and defender Amanda Frisbie to the Western New York Flash in exchange for Abby Wambach, midfielder Amber Brooks, and the Flash's natural first round pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft.
The same speculation existed for Alex Morgan and Servando Carrasco last year when he was in Houston and this year in Kansas City after Sporting KC picked him up.
To fuel that speculation, both Leroux and Morgan were seen around Kansas City when on break from the national team. Both were training at various locations and scrimmaged with boys teams as well.
Was FC Kansas City in the running for Leroux?
Yes. Sources indicate that Seattle contacted the Blues about a trade but the Reign were asking for too much.
What was TOO much?
Sources would not go into detail but it seems likely that Amy Rodriguez would have been a logical request by Seattle.
Why would the Blues not trade A-Rod for Syd?
To start, last season Leroux scored 5 goals with no assists on the team with the most goals. Rodriguez scored 13 goals with 5 assists after not playing for a year to have a baby.
Secondly, A-Rod and Lauren Holiday are great friends and understand each other very well on the field. Why mess up that chemistry.
Would FC Kansas City want Leroux?
Of course. It might take her a little while but she would be very dangerous once she got in sync and learned to make the runs that head coach Vlatko Andonovski would want. Just not at the price of A-Rod unless there was some other very good value.
Who would FC Kansas City be willing to trade?
Let's look at who is likely off the table unless the value is incredible on the other side of the trade. Rodriguez like we mentioned above, Lauren Holiday, Erika Tymrak, Shea Groom and Becky Sauerbrunn would be very unlikely.
Is a trade still possible?
Yes. There were reports that FC Kansas City was the third team in a three team deal but sources say that was not true. They spoke with Seattle but not the Flash and as of last night there were still no conversations with Western New York.
What about Morgan? Could that trade ever happen?
From a FC Kansas City point of view? Yes. Morgan would be of greater value potential for the Blues. While battling ankle injuries most of last season Morgan tallied 6 times and added 4 assists in just 14 games. Throw in her star appeal to fill seats and she would be worth much more in a trade. As far as we know at the moment, there is no trade in progress though.