06.26.2009 8:54 pm
Athletica deal Hanks, Francielle to Sky Blue
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
In a deal the team needed to make to get down to the roster limit by Wednesday, the Athletica traded forward Kerri Hanks, their top pick in the college draft and Brazilian midfielder Francielle, along with the rights to Renata Costa, to Sky Blue FC for Australian forward Sarah Walsh, and the rights to Ester, and a conditional draft pick. Walsh has played in just six games for Sky Blue this season but has a goal and an assist. Hanks has one goal.
I’ll have more on this later. None of the players involved will play in Sunday’s game between St. Louis and Sky Blue.
The big question is how soon will Walsh be available to play. If healthy, she’s one of the fastest players in the league, but the hamstring injury has been a problem for her. The draft pick will help replace the one we lost in the Fletcher/Welsh deal.
I am in shock. I was hoping for big things from Hanks. I wonder if other circumstances other then playing had something to do with this. I wish Hanks and Francielle luck.
Kelly Lindsey, Sky Blue’s coach, is a Notre Dame grad, so that might have something to do with her wanting Hanks. They already have two other Fighting Irish grads, Jen Buczkowski and Christie Shaner, on their roster. Good luck to Francielle, but she hadn’t been playing much lately, although I’m not sure why. Good luck to Hanks! I really wanted her to succeed here in Saint Louis and I thought maybe the goal on Wednesday might be a turning point, but this team needs offense now. Hopefully, Walsh will be healthy and give us that.