ANAHEIM, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage made a blockbuster trade on draft day then added three collegiate players in a productive 2024 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally, Friday night at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Summary of players acquired by the Courage on draft day:
- Midfielder/Forward Ashley Sanchez (Trade with WAS)
- Defender Talia Staude (2nd round, 24th overall)
- Defender Julia Dorsey (3rd round, 40th overall)
- Midfielder Landy Mertz (4th round, 52nd overall)
The Courage made arguably the biggest move of draft day, acquiring United States Women's National Team midfielder/forward Ashley Sanchez from the Washington Spirit for the fifth overall pick and $250,000 in allocation money. The club then recouped some cash by sending the 10th overall pick to the Chicago Red Stars for $175,000 in allocation money, trading out of the first round entirely.
The Courage would make their first selection of the night in the second round, drafting defender Talia Staude (st-OW-dee) out of the University of Virginia. She finished her five-year college career ranked second in Cavalier history in both matches and minutes played while sitting third in career starts. Voted as team defensive player of the year and a 2023 team captain, Staude also earned third team all-district honors from United Soccer Coaches in 2021. She has extensive Youth National Team experience from U14 through U23, including captaining a U17 FIFA World Cup squad.
The Courage traded back in round three, sending their natural No. 38 pick to Houston for the No. 40 selection and $10,000 in allocation money. The Courage would select another ACC product in Julia Dorsey of the University of North Carolina. The defender played over 5,600 minutes for the Tar Heels despite missing the 2023 season due to injury. She played all 110 minutes in the 2022 College Cup Final against UCLA. A two-sport athlete, Dorsey won a national championship with the UNC women’s lacrosse team in 2022.
The Courage finished their evening by selecting midfielder Landy Mertz out of the University of Pittsburgh with the 52nd overall pick in round four. Mertz capped her collegiate career ranked in the top-10 in the nation for assists per game (0.58) and total assists in a season (14). The Pittsburgh, PA native leaves Pitt with her name in the record book for most assists in a single season. Her standout 2023 earned United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Third Team honors and All-ACC Third Team honors. She finished her career with 15 goals and 26 assists in 63 career games.
The four new additions to Courage Country will join the team in late January for preseason camp.
ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
The North Carolina Courage begin their eighth season of competition in 2024 since beginning play in the National Women’s Soccer League (USSF Division I) in 2017. The Courage were formed after Steve Malik purchased the Western New York Flash and relocated the franchise to Cary, North Carolina, and play their home games at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage are the winningest club in NWSL history, claiming seven league trophies as three-time NWSL Shield winners (2017, 2018, 2019), two-time NWSL Champions (2018, 2019), and two-time UKG NWSL Challenge Cup champions (2022, 2023). The Courage also won the 2018 ICC Championship.
