Alex Morgan Traded To Orlando Pride From Portland Thorns In NWSL Blockbuster

The Orlando Pride will begin its on-field existence with a splash, now that Alex Morgan is coming to town.

Orlando acquired Morgan on Monday in a trade with the Portland Thorns, the recently unveiled National Women’s Soccer League expansion franchise announced on its website. Orlando landed Morgan and Kaylyn Kyle from Portland in exchange for the rights to its first expansion draft pick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NWSL college draft, and one international roster spot for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Morgan brings star power to the newest of the NWSL’s 10 teams. The 26-year-old forward is perhaps the most recognizable player on the U.S. women’s national soccer team, which won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup last summer.

“Alex Morgan is a dynamic, prolific striker in the global women’s game, with all of the qualities that we look for in a star player,” Orlando City SC general manager Paul McDonough said. “Her career and accomplishments in the game speak for themselves. She will instantly raise the profile of the Orlando Pride, and help develop an attacking style of play for the team.”

Morgan scored 15 goals in 36 games for Portland in three NWSL seasons.

Orlando expects her to continue filling score-sheets and seats in the next chapter of her club career.