The Houston Dash have acquired the rights to defender Courtney Petersen from the Orlando Pride, both teams announced today.
Houston will also receive Orlando’s natural third round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. In exchange Orlando will receive $65,000 in Allocation Money and a conditional $25,000 if additional performance incentives are met this season.
An attacking and dynamic left back, Petersen made nine starts and 19 appearances for the Pride in 2022, recording two assists. She started 21 of 22 games played for the Pride in 2021, scoring her first career goal and logging four assists. The 25-year-old was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft. The Royal Oak, Michigan native made her NWSL debut during the Fall Series, where she played every minute.
Before her professional career, Petersen played at the University of Virginia, where she made 78 career appearances for the Cavaliers, recording 12 assists and five goals as a defender. As a senior Petersen was named an All-Region First Team selection by United Soccer Coaches and earned All-ACC Second Team honors.
Petersen played in the USWNT youth ranks and took a leave of absence from the Cavaliers in 2016 to participate in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
