Kailen Sheridan was named to the NWSL Best XI this year. (ISP Photos)
NJ/NY Gotham FC Saturday traded away one of its most reliable players over the past five years and a member of the NWSL Best XI.
The National Women’s Soccer League club dealt the rights of Canadian international goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to the expansion San Diego Wave Fc for $130,000 in allocation and protection in the 2022 expansion draft.
“One of the priorities for Gotham FC this off-season was to secure protection in the upcoming expansion draft, which meant some difficult decisions had to be made,” Gotham FC interim general manager Yael Averbuch West said in a statement. “Kailen had expressed interest in pursuing other professional opportunities and we were fortunate to find a good trade partner in San Diego to accommodate her wishes. She has been a major part of this club for the past five years and we thank her for the impact she’s made. Kailen is a phenomenal goalkeeper and we know she’ll go on to do great things in the future. She’ll certainly be missed.”
Not by San Diego, which added a jewel of a goalkeeper who might not have reached her prime just yet, at the age of 26.
“Having a strong goalkeeper is pivotal in making a playoff run in our first season, and Kailen is nothing short of world-class,” Wave FC president Jill Ellis said in a statement. “Kailen has not only proven her shot stopping ability in a 2021 season that earned her NWSL Best XI honors, but she also gained important experience in her young career as a member of the impressive Canadian National team that secured Olympic gold in 2021.”
Sheridan has proven to be one of the top goalkeepers in the NWSL. After entering the league in 2017, she led the NWSL in 2018 with 7.38 goals prevented per game. In 2019 she began the season with back-to-back NWSL saves of the week.
“Kailen is one of the best goalkeepers in the women’s game because of her quality, experience and leadership,” Wave FC head coach Casey Stoney said in a statement. “Kailen’s composure and quality on the ball and her exceptional ability to make big saves in critical moments of the game are key reasons for us wanting to sign her. I am very excited to work with Kailen and looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
A native of Pickering, Ontario, the 5-8 Sheridan has represented the Canadian national team in the Under-17, U-20, and U-23 age groups before earning appearances with the first team beginning in 2016. She played college soccer at Clemson University, where she made 76 appearances for the Tigers recording 229 saves and 28 shutouts. Sheridan was also named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team in 2014 and 2015.
