SAN DIEGO (December 1, 2021) – San Diego Wave Fútbol Club announced today that the club has acquired the rights to Tegan McGrady, who will join previously announced Abby Dahlkemper in defense, ahead of the expansion team’s inaugural season in 2022.
McGrady, 24, comes to San Diego Wave FC from the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, where she was the No. 7 overall draft pick in 2019 NWSL Draft and played a key part of their defensive structure that propelled them to the 2021 NWSL Championship. At left back, she demonstrated resolve and consistency playing a total of 2,258 minutes in 34 matches this past season and pass rate of 72 percent or better every season while at Washington.
“Tegan is a great addition to our roster and will bring valuable winning experience to our back line. said Wave FC head coach Casey Stoney. “She has great college pedigree and many caps at youth national level and has shown her qualities during her time in the NWSL. I am looking forward to working with Tegan and developing and supporting her to achieve even more within the game”
Upon execution of the trade Washington will receive complete protection in the upcoming NWSL Expansion Draft from Wave FC in exchange for the rights to McGrady, an international spot in 2022 and the natural first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft the Spirit received from OL Reign in a previous trade.
Name: Tegan McGrady
Position: Defender
Height: 5’6”
Date of Birth: October 11, 1997
Birthplace: San Jose, Calif.
Last Club: Washington Spirit
Awards: NWSL Champion 2021
Fans can learn more about Wave FC, sign up for ticket information and purchase Club apparel exclusively at www.SanDiegoWaveFC.com. Follow Wave FC on Facebook (@SanDiegoWaveFC), Instagram (@SanDiegoWaveFC), LinkedIn (@SanDiegoWaveFC), Twitter (@SanDiegoWaveFC), and join the conversation while using the #WaveFC hashtag.
About San Diego NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced in June 2021 that San Diego will be home to an NWSL expansion team, set to begin play in Spring 2022. Jill Ellis, the only two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winning manager and a former FIFA World Women’s Coach of the Year recipient, serves as President of the San Diego NWSL team while England standout and former Manchester United Women’s Manager Casey Stoney will serve as the team’s head coach. Chief Revenue Officer, Vanessa Shay, will run revenue streams, marketing and business operations. The San Diego NWSL is owned by investor Ron Burkle. Burkle has tapped longtime friend and business associate Matt Alvarez to lead the project on his behalf.
