Cary, NC (December 7, 2020)- The North Carolina Courage have acquired former Courage defender Taylor Smith and the rights to English international Jodie Taylor from OL Reign in a trade for Ally Watt. Both Smith and Taylor have played four seasons in the NWSL. Smith was a member of the Courage during the 2017 season and also played under head coach Paul Riley with the Western New York Flash in 2016. Smith returns as one of eight players on the initial Courage roster in 2017.

“Bringing Taylor Smith back to a culture and environment where she showed her best form bodes well for all parties,” said Riley. “She has the speed, willpower, and technical ability to regain her top form. She knows that we expect relentless and persistence consistently every day. I know Taylor and I truly believe she will be a massive addition to our squad.” Smith started her NWSL career in 2016 with the Western New York Flash after graduating from UCLA. In her first season, she helped the Flash win an NWSL Championship, playing 18 games and scoring two goals. Smith made the move with the team to North Carolina in 2017, playing outside defender as the team won the NWSL Shield and once again made it to the championship match. She has played 24 matches and 1,750 minutes in a Courage uniform. In early 2018, Smith was traded with Ashley Hatch to the Washington Spirit for Crystal Dunn. Smith was named an allocated player for US Soccer the same year. Between 2017 and 2018 she made 10 appearances with the US Women’s National Team. The defender played 23 games with the Spirit before heading to the W-League in Australia for the offseason. During a game on loan with the Newcastle Jets, she suffered an ACL tear. OL Reign picked up Smith in early 2019 but she was unable to play throughout the season as she recovered from her injury. She returned to the field for the first time in a year and a half on July 1, 2020, during the NWSL Challenge Cup. The 27-year-old played four games during the tournament and three games during the Fall Series. The Courage also acquired the rights to Taylor who currently plays for Olympique Lyonnais. Taylor has played for clubs in the NWSL, USL W-League, Australia, England, Sweden, and France throughout her career. Internationally, the 34-year-old has 48 caps for the Lionesses, scoring 19 goals. The forward first appeared in the NWSL in 2014 where she played 21 games and scored 11 goals with the Spirit. She spent one year with the Portland Thorns before heading overseas to play for Arsenal. Taylor returned to the NWSL in 2018 with OL Reign where she played until the end of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Following the conclusion of the tournament, the English international was transferred to Lyon. She has played in four matches for the French powerhouse since joining the team in August. OL Reign acquired NC Courage forward Ally Watt who was selected sixth overall by the team in the 2020 NWSL Draft. The Texas A&M graduate played 13 minutes in one match of the NWSL Challenge Cup before suffering an ACL tear. Watt had surgery in July and is currently in the recovery process. “Ally’s brief time with the club showed me she has potential to be a top forward,” said Riley. “Her drive, attacking ability, and work ethic will keep her in good stead and after her recovery, she will be a force in this league. We wish her all the best in her future. It will be a bright one for sure.”