Racing Acquires Veteran Midfielder Baggett in Trade with Washington

April 25, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release

Racing Louisville FC on Tuesday added quality depth to its roster, trading draft picks to the Washington Spirit in exchange for veteran midfielder Jordan Baggett.

Washington received Racing’s natural second-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft in addition to a conditional natural third-round pick in the 2025 NWSL Draft.

Baggett is expected to arrive in Louisville this week and start training with the team ahead of Racing’s second home match of the regular season, a 7:30 p.m. Saturday kickoff against OL Reign.

“I am so excited to be joining Racing,” Baggett said. “This is a special club filled with incredible people to grow and learn from. I am ready to get to work and to give this city my all.”

“We’re really ecstatic to have Jordan joining our club,” said Racing general manager Ryan Dell. “Jordan is a former top draft pick with plenty of league experience, and she’s also a great personality to add to our already-close locker room. As we prepare for upcoming absences on our roster with the World Cup this summer, adding a player of Jordan’s caliber to our midfield was a no-brainer.”

Baggett, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NWSL Draft, has spent her first four years in the league with Washington, making 35 appearances. The Colorado native has five goals in 26 career starts and registered her first career assist in Washington’s 1-1 draw at Racing Louisville last August.

The 26-year-old won the NWSL championship with the Spirit in 2021, limited to three matches that season because of injury.

Baggett has played in two matches so far this year for Washington, including a 45-minute shift this past Wednesday against NJNY Gotham FC in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup.

“We are very excited to welcome Jordan to the Racing Louisville family,” said Racing coach Kim Björkegren. “She brings tremendous experience within the NWSL that will help us immediately. Jordan’s versatility in the midfield will add depth within our squad. Her abilities on the ball and defensive work rate are a perfect fit. We are excited to see Jordan in the Racing Louisville kit.”

Before turning pro, Baggett won the 2017 national championship in college with Stanford, earning multiple All-Pac 12 nominations along the way. She was a first-team All-American in 2018, helping the Cardinal reach its second consecutive College Cup.

A long-time fixture in the U.S. Youth National Team, Baggett played for the U-20 and U-23…