Chicago Red Stars acquire Kealia Ohai from Houston Dash before NWSL college draft
Red Stars send defender Katie Naughton and the 18th overall pick to Houston.
Ten days before the NWSL college draft, the Chicago Red Stars announced a deal sending defender Katie Naughton and the 18th overall pick to the Houston Dash in exchange for forward Kealia Ohai.
The Red Stars acquired the ninth and 18th overall picks from the NC Courage in exchange for the sixth pick in this year’s draft.
“Any team in the league would jump at the opportunity to add Kealia to their roster,” Red Stars coach Rory Dames said. “She has proven her ability to score at this level and we are excited to get her integrated into our group. We look forward to having her here in Chicago.”
After being selected second overall in the 2014 draft by the Dash, Ohai scored eight goals in her first two seasons. In 2016, she had the best season of her NWSL career, scoring 11 goals for the Dash. She finished the season tied for the League’s Golden Boot and was named to the 2016 NWSL Best XI.
Ohai started the 2017 season with two goals in three games before an ACL sprain and meniscus tear in her left knee sidelined her for the rest of the season.
She returned in 2018 and scored five goals with four assists in 19 games. Last season, she finished with two goals and one assist in 23 games.
Ohai thanked the Dash organization and her teammates on social media before tweeting she is “extremely excited to be a Red Star.”
Thank you @HoustonDash Houston will always feel like home pic.twitter.com/Onhbnkgebs
— Kealia Ohai (@KealiaOhai) January 6, 2020
Naughton, an Elk Grove Village native, was drafted 19th overall from Notre Dame by the Red Stars in the 2016 draft. In her rookie season, she appeared in 16 matches, joining a veteran backline comprised of Julie Ertz and Samantha Johnson that set an NWSL shutout record.
Since 2016, Naughton became a vital part of the Red Stars’ defense, making 88 appearances.
The Red Stars have four picks in the first round of the 2020 NWSL College Draft: fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth overall. They will finish the draft with the No. 26 pick in Round 3 and No. 35 pick in Round 4.