In a much-needed move to boost their offense and defense after losing Daniela in their match against the Freedom, the Athletica have reeled in Kendall Fletcher and Christie Welsh, as well as a second-round pick in 2011 from the Los Angeles Sol for a conditional first-round draft pick in 2010 and a first-round pick in 2011.
After watching the match against the Freedom, which St. Louis absolutely should have won, it is clear that they needed an offensive and defensive boost. Not only were their first goals of the season scored (and two by Daniela), but their defense allowed too many people to get loose by running wide, giving opponents a free shot at Solo with tons of open net.
None of the players in the league are particularly old, so while it does hurt St. Louis to lose their draft picks, they won’t be hurting too much. They need to compete now, and losing Daniela is a huge blow to both their offense and defense.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, is one of the best teams in the league, with a great balance of offense and defense. They could afford to lose a bit of depth, and they can take heart in the fact they’ll have two first rounders in 2011 (for now, anyway).
Fletcher, a member of the national team, is a solid defender who will help to close the gaping holes that St. Louis showed they were vulnerable to making in their television debut.
Welsh, also a member of the national team, will provide an offensive boost to a team that has failed to convert on some mighty good chances at the net.
The conditional first-round pick to the Sol for 2010 becomes a second rounder if the Athletica are not one of the top five teams in the league this season. Their chances of finishing in the top five have definitely improved based upon this move, but I guess we’ll see how it plays out. For now, I like it a lot.
