Lynn Williams is heading to the Pacific Northwest.
The NJ/NY Gotham FC forward and USWNT regular has been sent to Seattle Reign FC in a massive trade, with both teams officially announcing the news on Friday. In addition to Williams, the Reign are also receiving goalkeeper Cassie Miller, while Gotham acquires midfielder Jaelin Howell, a 2025 international roster spot and $70K in allocation money in return.
Williams, a four-time NWSL champion and one-time NWSL MVP, was traded to Gotham in 2023, and led the team to a championship that season.
Williams reportedly wanted to finish her career on the West Coast, and requested the trade, per Jenna Tonelli. The 31-year-old forward was born and raised in Fresno, California.
Williams’ arrival will be a much-needed boost for Seattle, which earned only six wins last season and finished the year in second-to-last place. The Reign especially struggled with scoring, getting only 27 goals across the season while allowing a league-high 44.
Williams will be able to help with that: The forward is the NWSL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, passing the mark in May with her 79th career goal. Williams is gifted at both creating and finishing goals in the run of play, which is something the Reign struggled with all season.
The Reign also traded away their top scorer, Bethany Balcer, in a midseason deal with Racing Louisville that sent Howell to the team in the first place. Howell will now be on her third team in less than a year, but will be well appreciated in New Jersey. Although Gotham has a slew of talented players, its midfield needs a little padding, with young talent Delanie Sheehan recently departing for the Houston Dash.