Angel City Football Club Announces Strategic Player Trades Ahead of NWSL Deadline

LOS ANGELES (April 20, 2024) - Angel City Football Club (ACFC) today announced two strategic trades made prior to the closing of the NWSL trade window. Defender Paige Nielsen has been traded to Houston Dash in exchange for $50,000 in allocation and $50,000 in transfer funds.  Midfielder Amandine Henry will head to the Utah Royals FC in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money. 

The trades free up both cap and roster space. "These moves are a key component of our strategy to continue to build for the immediate and future. While decisions like these are never easy, these movements do enable us to make impactful additions to our roster in the coming months," said ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano.

Nielsen, who was selected by ACFC in the fourth round of the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft, has been a consistent presence on the field, appearing in 43 total matches and accumulating 3,347 minutes of playtime. Her journey with ACFC has been marked by dedication and significant contributions both on and off-the-pitch. Prior to her time with ACFC, Nielsen was a key member of the Washington Spirit in its NWSL Championship run in 2021.

“We are grateful to Paige for her part in the history of Angel City,” continued Hucles. “She helped lay the foundation for what we started and continue to grow here. Her love for the fans and her teammates has been felt from day one and we wish her all the best.”

Amandine Henry joined ACFC in June 2023 and quickly became known for bringing her tactical acumen and experience to the team. Henry played in nine matches with 581 minutes on the field. Her impressive career includes six seasons with Olympique Lyonnais, contributing to multiple championship wins, including 13 Division 1 Féminine titles and seven UEFA Champions League victories.

“We greatly appreciate Amandine’s interest in and willingness to return to the US and this league,” continued Mangano. “While her time with Angel City has been short, her impact has been felt, on and off the pitch.”