SEATTLE, WA — (club release) – Seattle Reign FC announced today that the club has acquired U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) defender Meghan Klingenberg from the Houston Dash. In exchange, Reign FC traded the rights to midfielder Amber Brooks and the 5th pick in the first round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft to Houston. In addition to Klingenberg, Seattle will also receive a conditional selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.

(Cover photo: Fox Soccer / Youtube)

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Editor’s Note: But is she staying? Equalizer soccer says that Klingenberg is actually on her way to Portland Thorns via Seattle, as part of a complex ripple effect from the recent deal that sent Alex Morgan to the expansion Orlando Pride. Read more about that here.

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Klingenberg, 27, was selected by the Houston Dash in the 2014 Expansion Draft from the Boston Breakers. Through two seasons with the Dash, the Gibsonia, Pa. native appeared in 19 matches (all starts), tallying two assists in 1,653 minutes.

Prior to joining the NWSL, Klingenberg spent two seasons with Swedish club Tyresö FF and also played with the Boston Breakers (WPS), and magicJack (WPS).

The defender played all four years of her college career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, scoring 19 goals and tallying 24 assists. During that time, Klingenberg lead the Tar Heels to two NCAA National Championships.

Klingenberg has amassed 45 caps with the USWNT, scoring three goals. In the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Klingenberg played every minute of every USWNT match, in a backline that delivered a shutout streak lasting 540 minutes en route to being crowned World Champions. Klingenberg had a standout performance against Sweden during group play of the World Cup, clearing a shot off the line to preserve the USA’s 0-0 draw.

Brooks, 24, was acquired by Seattle from the Western New York Flash in March of 2015 in a trade that sent USWNT forward Sydney Leroux and defender Amanda Frisbie to Rochester. As part of the trade, Reign FC also received the 4th pick in the 2016 College Draft and the rights to USWNT forward Abby Wambach. Brooks tallied one goal in 12 matches (4 starts) for Seattle during its 2015 NWSL Shield-winning season.