Jaelin Howell changes shirt and renews Seattle Reign FC ambitions

Women's soccer in the United States has never been hotter. The season continues to boil over, and the latest NWSL trade has shaken up club structures. Seattle Reign FC, an established and well-respected team in the league, strengthens its squad with a major acquisition: Jaelin Howell, a midfielder of indisputable quality, recognized for her leadership on and off the pitch. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville FC gained striker Bethany Balcer, a reference in attack who also carried the passion of the Reign fans.

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It's no secret that a good team is also built from the middle out. And it was with this philosophy that Seattle Reign FC put their cards on the table and secured the signing of Howell, a player whose presence on the pitch goes far beyond statistics. Howell is not just a numbers machine, but a born leader, a commander who knows what it takes to win.

To understand the relevance of this trade, you have to go back a few steps and recognize that Seattle Reign FC lost an important piece when they said goodbye to Bethany Balcer. Since 2019, when Balcer, without being drafted, signed with the Reign, she has made history. In fact, she was the first NAIA player to earn a place in the NWSL, a milestone in itself. Balcer became the “darling” of the club, always hungry to score. Her 33 goals in 103 regular season appearances are proof that she didn't just come to be part of the show, but to be the star.

However, soccer is a game of cycles, and Seattle needed to rejuvenate their midfield. Howell, who at 24 is already one of the most sought-after midfielders in the league, fills that gap perfectly. She not only brings youth, but also a maturity that comes from her experience as captain of Racing Louisville FC and her call-ups to the US women's national team.

At Louisville, Howell was more than a soccer player. She also made history off the pitch, winning the Nationwide Community Impact Award in 2023. Her work with Down Syndrome of Louisville and the creation of the Rock Your Socks Soccer Clinic are proof that Howell knows her impact extends beyond the ninety minutes. This adds a layer of complexity to this exchange. We're not just talking about soccer, we're talking about social impact, about someone who cares about the community in which they live and work.

Of course, this kind of player is needed in any team. But, as Seattle Reign general manager Lesle Gallimore said, Howell brings a winning attitude and a presence that will be key to taking the Reign to new heights. And with the season in full swing, the timing of this acquisition couldn't be more perfect. The Seattle Reign are already a team used to competing and winning, but Howell could be the missing ingredient to get this team off the ground.

It's undeniable that soccer is a sport in constant evolution, and trades are part of that process. While Racing Louisville FC fans are mourning the departure of their captain, they can take solace in the arrival of Balcer, a player who knows how to score. Louisville's attack gains in firepower, and Balcer will have the chance to continue writing her story, now in a new setting. At 27, she still has a lot to offer, and it wouldn't be surprising if she quickly won the hearts of Louisville fans, just as she did in Seattle.

The exchange between Reign and Racing is undoubtedly a game of chess well played by both sides. Each club came away with what they needed, but the real question that remains is: who did better in this move?

From the Seattle Reign's point of view, Howell's impact could be immediate. The midfield is the heart of any team, and Howell's ability to distribute play, win duels and impose himself physically on the sector is something the Reign desperately needed. And let's face it, if the midfield is on the same page, the chances of success increase exponentially.

As for Racing Louisville FC, the stakes are different. They gave up their captain, a leader in the dressing room and on the pitch, but in exchange they got a striker who has already proven to be capable of deciding games. Balcer wasn't just any player for the Reign; she was essential, a key player in many victories and titles. Now it's up to her to carry that momentum to Louisville and show that she can shine in a new environment.

What's clear is that both Seattle and Louisville aren't content with just competing, they want to win. Each club is adjusting its pieces to ensure that when the final whistle blows, it's their name that's at the top of the table.

And, at the end of the day, isn't that what soccer requires? A combination of talent, strategy and, of course, a bit of daring. Seattle dared to swap one of their top scorers for a midfielder who could be the missing link between midfield and attack. Louisville dared to let their captain go, betting on Balcer's precision in front of goal.

Now, only time will tell if this bold move will pay off. But one thing's for sure, both Seattle and Louisville come out of this exchange with new hopes, renewed ambitions and the certainty that they're ready to face whatever lies ahead.