North Carolina Courage acquire Canadian Victoria Pickett in trade with Gotham FC | CBC Sports

The North Carolina Courage have acquired Canadian international midfielder Victoria Pickett from NJ/NY Gotham FC in exchange for $200,000 US in allocation money.

The 26-year-old from Barrie, Ont., was drafted in the second round (15th overall) by the Kansas City Current in the 2021 NWSL draft and was a finalist for rookie of the year.

Pickett scored the winning goal in the new Kansas City franchise’s first-ever NWSL victory, 1-0 victory over OL Reign in August 2021. She was traded to Gotham in August 2022 for $200,000 allocation money and a first-round draft pick.

Pickett has played 104 minutes this season across three regular season games, including one start.

“We are excited to add Victoria to our club. She is someone we’ve noticed since her rookie year and always felt she can have a great impact on any team.” North Carolina coach Sean Nahas said in a statement. “She has great technical quality and comfort on the ball with a strong ability to dribble.

“She’s a player we feel can help us in all phases of the game and someone who can come in and help us to continue building something special. She’s a player and person I’m confident our fans will be excited about.”

Pickett, who played collegiate soccer at the University of Wisconsin, has appeared in 45 career NWSL games, including 36 starts.

She has won three caps for Canada at the senior level, also appearing at the under-17 and under-20 level.

WATCH | Pickett leads Kansas City Current to 1st-ever victory:

Canada’s Victoria Pickett leads NWSL’s Kansas City franchise to 1st victory

Barrie, Ont. native scores 73rd-minute winner, ending Kansas City’s 13-match winless streak and giving the league’s new franchise the 1-0 win over OL Reign.