SEATTLE, WA (November 12, 2014) – Seattle Reign FC announced today that the club has acquired starting midfielder Merritt Mathias from FC Kansas City in exchange for defender Kate Deines, a second round pick (No. 16 overall) and a third round pick (No. 26 overall) in the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft.

“Merritt is a player we followed closely over the past two seasons and had identified as someone we felt would greatly benefit our squad,” said head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “We are generally pleased with the strength of our current squad and therefore expect to make limited moves during the offseason, but when the opportunity arose to bring Merritt to Seattle we felt strongly that she would be a perfect addition to the club.”

Mathias, 24, was selected in the third round (22nd overall) of the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft by FC Kansas City for the inaugural NWSL season. During 2013, the Texas A&M alumna was featured in 19 games, playing a total of 1738 minutes and tallying two goals and three assists.

This past season, Mathias, a native of Birmingham, Ala., played in 20 matches, making 16 starts and logging 1436 minutes. She also registered two assists in 2014.

Deines, 24, signed with Reign FC as a free agent in February 2013. The University of Washington alumna logged 859 minutes and was featured in 18 matches (9 starts) for Seattle during the club’s 2014 regular season campaign.

“On behalf of the entire Reign FC organization, I want to thank Kate for her contributions these past two seasons,” Harvey added. “She has been a valued member of Reign FC both on and off the field and I know she will do well in Kansas City.” Deines is a UW graduate from Portland, Oregon.

Reign FC now owns the 15th and 36th overall selections in the 2015 NWSL College Draft.

Season ticket packages for Seattle’s 2015 season start at just $195. Fans looking to purchase tickets can call (855) REIGN-FC or visit ReignFC.com today.

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