7/29/2019 Press Release - Washington Freedom Select Brittany Bock and Faith Ikidi in Dispersion Draft

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Washington Freedom Select Brittany Bockand Faith Ikidi in Dispersion Draft

Washington Freedom selected defender/forward Brittany Bock and forward/defender Faith Ikidi in the

Womens Professional Soccer dispersal draft held yesterday. WPS held the dispersal draft for players

rights previously held by the Los Angeles Sol, whose operations were discontinued last Thursday, January

28.

Saint Louis Athletica traded several players to the Atlanta Beat in order to have first pick in the dispersal

draft. The Athletica chose WPS All-Star Shannon Boxx, the Sols captain. The Philadelphia Independence

had the second selection and selected goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. FC Gold Pride, the San Francisco Bay

area team, selected WPSs Michelle Akers Player of the Year last year, Marta, with the third pick. The

Washington Freedom selected seventh and chose Bock, one of last years top rookies.

Were very happy with [Bock]. Shes a versatile player. She had a very good season last year in LA. She

played up front, she played in the back, and had such a good season that she played her way into the

national team, says Gabarra.

Freedom head coach, Jim Gabarra notes the different tone of the dispersal draft, Everyone is really

excited, but it still carries a tone of disappointment that LA isnt going to have a team. This was kind of an

unnatural situation where you have a whole team that has to be dispersed into the league after the teams

have already made their plans and decisions. We were very limited really on what we could do, but were

very happy to add another quality player to the team.

When asked her reaction to the dispersal draft, Bock replied, I think that with the loss of the Sol, it could

have been a difficult time for the league. However, I think each of the eight remaining teams will move

forward with more depth and experience. I was very anxious to see where all my former Sol teammateswould end up and where my new home would be. I wish everyone the best of luck and I can't wait to play

all the teams to see everyone again.

Bock has played on some national teams or been in national camps with Freedom players Allie Long, Cat

Whitehill, and Abby Wambach. She grew up in the Midwest, moved to the West Coast to play for the Sol

and is now looking forward to playing for the Freedom on the East Coast, With the Washington area being

filled with many youth soccer clubs, I hope to connect with the fans in my new home. I'm anxious to get

involved in the community.