Spirit receives protection in 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft
San Francisco (Dec. 12, 2023) – Bay FC, the Bay Area’s new women’s professional soccer franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), have acquired midfielder Dorian Bailey from the Washington Spirit in exchange for protection in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft, it was announced today.
Bailey spent the last five seasons with the Washington Spirit (2019-23), helping the D.C. based club win the 2021 NWSL Championship. Across all NWSL competitions with Washington, Bailey appeared in 97 matches (74 starts), recording one goal and three assists. The Mission, Kan., native appeared in 73 regular season matches, earning 54 starts with one goal and two assists. She also started in all three of Washington’s playoff games in the team’s title run in 2021.
“Dorian is a highly technical player who suits our player profile in every way. Her versatility to play multiple positions in midfield and defense is a huge asset, but her biggest asset is her want to be on the ball and her ability to be a game change when she’s on it,” said Bay FC General Manager Lucy Rushton. “She is a problem solver on the field, who can use her dribbling and combination play to break pressure, break lines and instigate attacks.”
As a youth international, Bailey represented the United States at the U-20, U-18, U-17, U-15 and U-14 level. The eighth overall pick by the Spirit in the 2019 NWSL Draft out of North Carolina, Bailey played in 86 games (49 starts) for the Tar Heels with 17 goals and 17 assists, winning a NCAA Championship in 2017. As a senior in 2018, Bailey helped lead UNC to the National Championship game, earning first team All-American, All-Region and All-ACC honors.
Dorian Bailey
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-6
Birthdate: Jan. 28, 1997
Hometown: Mission, Kan.
Previous Club: Washington Spirit (NWSL)
Citizenship: United States
College: North Carolina
Bay FC is entering its first season in the NWSL and will have the first pick in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft set to take place virtually on Friday, December 15. The 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft will air live on CBS Sports Network with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The “Attacking Third” women’s soccer show will also provide additional coverage and analysis during the week of the expansion draft on CBS Sports Golazo Network and across @AttackingThird social accounts.
Bay FC will kick off its inaugural season in March 2024 at PayPal Park in San Jose. Ticket deposits are now open for Bay FC’s inaugural season and new merchandise can be purchased at BayFC.com. Fans can also follow @wearebayfc on social channels for more exciting announcements to come.
About Bay Football Club
Bay Football Club (Bay FC) is the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area and the 14th team to join the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Bay FC was established in April 2023 and co-founded by USWNT legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street and an investor group of leading tech, business and sports executives. Sixth Street’s investment is the largest institutional investment to date in a women’s professional sports franchise. Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it. Beginning play in the 2024 season, we are building a squad that will play the beautiful game with power, passion, energy, and creativity. Ticket deposits are now open for Bay FC at https://bayfc.com and fans can follow Bay FC’s social channels (@wearebayfc) for the latest news, merchandise, and events.
