Forward Yazmeen Ryan and midfielder Delanie Sheehan warm up with the Houston Dash prior to their match at Lumen Field on May 11, 2025, in Seattle, Wash. (Photo Credit: Melissa Levin-Imagn Images)
The Houston Dash announced on Thursday, March 19, that forward Yazmeen Ryan and midfielder Delanie Sheehan have been traded to the Denver Summit. This significant move reflects the ongoing evolution of both teams in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
As part of the trade agreement, the Dash will receive a total of $1 million in funds, with $800,000 allocated as intra-league transfer funds and the remaining $200,000 designated as expansion allocation funds. Additionally, the Dash will provide $150,000 in allocation funds to the Summit. A conditional sell-on fee related to future transfers will be included in the agreement, showing Houston’s proactive approach to future investments.
Angela Hucles Mangano, President of Women’s Soccer, expressed gratitude for Ryan and Sheehan’s contributions during their tenure with the Dash. “They provided veteran leadership at a crucial time in our transition, laying the groundwork for what the team is today. We wish them success as they embark on this new chapter in their careers,” she commented. She further added that while the decision was unexpected at the beginning of the year, it opens avenues for the Dash to invest in new talent and resources to bolster their ambitions for the upcoming season.
Sports Illustrated first reported the details of the trade, which is expected to greatly benefit the Denver Summit as both Ryan and Sheehan are only 27 and carry proven records of success on the field.
Sheehan was a standout at UCLA, drafted as the 33rd overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft by NJ/NY Gotham FC. Over her four-season stint with Gotham, she was part of a team that reached the postseason in three of those years, ultimately celebrating victory in the NWSL Championship in 2023.
Ryan, who was drafted sixth overall by the Portland Thorns in 2021, also made an immediate impact. During her rookie year, she secured both the Women’s International Champions Cup and the NWSL Shield. Her accolades continued as she played a key role in Portland’s triumph in the 2022 NWSL Championship and later joined Gotham, where she added another championship to her collection in 2023. Ryan was named to the 2024 NWSL Best XI Second Team and earned her first U.S. women’s national team cap in October 2024, participating in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
Ryan and Sheehan joined the Houston Dash ahead of the 2025 season, with Sheehan signing a two-year deal through 2026, complemented by a mutual option for 2027. Ryan was part of a record-setting trade that saw Houston acquire $400,000 in allocation money plus an international roster spot from Gotham. Shortly thereafter, she extended her contract through the 2027 NWSL season.
