The first big domino of the NWSL offseason has fallen. On Thursday, multiple sources reported that Gotham FC has agreed to trade forward Lynn Williams to the Seattle Reign. Backup goalie Cassie Miller is also going to the Reign as part of the trade. As part of the trade, Gotham will receive midfielder Jaelin Howell and an undisclosed fee.
On the surface, the trade comes as a surprise. Less than two years ago, Gotham traded the second-overall pick in the NWSL Draft to the Kansas City Current in exchange for Williams, who also stars for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Across two seasons with Gotham, Williams scored 11 goals in 33 NWSL matches. Her most important goal came in Gotham’s 2-1 win over OL Reign (now Seattle Reign) in the 2023 NWSL Championship Game. This past season, Williams became the all-time leading goal scorer in NWSL history, making a trade while she’s still in the prime of her career a surprise.
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Of course, Gotham is receiving plenty in return for Williams by acquiring Howell in the deal. Howell was the second-overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft after twice being named national player of the year at the collegiate level. She was acquired by Seattle this past August in a trade with Racing Louisville, the team that drafted Howell in 2022. Dating back to her time in college, Howell has been an occasional part of the USWNT, making five appearances for the senior team.
What this trade means for Lynn Williams?
For Williams, this trade continues an unusual but successful odyssey for her in the NWSL. When she makes her Seattle debut in 2025, Williams will be playing for her fourth club in five seasons. She spent the 2021 season with the North Carolina Courage. Williams then made just one appearance in a cup match for Kansas City in 2022, missing most of the season with an injury. Then came her two seasons with Gotham.
Along the way, Williams became the first NWSL player in league history to win four championships. The first came in 2016 with the Western New York Flash, followed by titles with North Carolina in 2018 and 2019. The 2023 championship with Gotham in 2023 was her fourth. Williams also won an Olympic gold medal with the USWNT this past summer.
A trade from Gotham to Seattle could be looked at as a demotion for Williams. She goes from a loaded Gotham team that includes several of her USWNT teammates to a Seattle team that finished second to last in the NWSL in 2024. Rather than being one of several stars on Gotham’s roster, Williams will immediately become Seattle’s best player. She will be expected to lift the Reign out of the NWSL basement and make them a playoff contender in 2025.
Why did Seattle Reign make this trade?
It should be obvious why the Reign wanted a player like Williams. Her track record and propensity for winning championships speak for themselves. Williams is a former league MVP and was named to the NWSL Best XI First-Team in 2023. She also scored four goals for the USWNT in 2024, including one at the Olympics and the game-winner in the 2024 finale against the Netherlands. Needless to say, she’s still an impactful player who’s capable of performing at a high level.
Williams will immediately change the look of Seattle’s attack. Only three teams scored fewer goals than the Reign in 2024 with nobody on the roster scoring more than three goals. The Reign will be able to pair Williams with Jordyn Huitema, taking some of the pressure off the young Canadian star. With creative midfield players like Jessica Fishlock and So-Yun Ji, the Reign desperately needed proven goalscorer like Williams. If she can provide a lift for Seattle’s attack, it’s worth losing a player like Howell from the midfield.
Why did Gotham FC make this trade?
Why would Gotham be willing to part with a player like Williams? For starters, she’ll be 32 in May and comes with injury questions after missing the entire 2022 season. Even if Williams is still performing at a high level now, a drop in performance may not be far away.
Equally important, Gotham could afford to lose Williams with all of the other attacking talent on the roster. At times, Williams was competing for minutes with the likes of Esther Gonzalez, Ella Stevens, and Yazmeen Ryan. With that trio, Gotham still has plenty of firepower, especially with Rose Lavelle in midfield. They should be able to survive the loss of Williams.
Meanwhile, the addition of Howell will strengthen their midfield. Amidst all of its attacking talent, Gotham lacked a quality defensive midfielder, which is where Howell can make an immediate impact. Since coming into the league in 2022, Howell has been among the NWSL leaders in tackles and duels won. She will make Gotham more solid in the defensive midfield and a more balanced team.
Who won this trade?
Naturally, time will only tell what team won this trade. Williams is obviously the best player involved. If she can turn around Seattle’s attack in 2025 and help the Reign get back to the playoffs, the trade will be worthwhile. However, Gotham smartly traded from a position of strength to address a weakness. Howell has a chance to be a meaningful contributor for Gotham in 2025 and beyond. That could make Gotham the long-term winner of this trade.
