Washington Spirit select Kaycie Tillman via NWSL Re-Entry Wire

The Washington Spirit made use of the NWSL Re-Entry Wire, selecting midfielder Kaycie Tillman. Tillman was picked 36th overall in the 2019 NWSL College Draft by the North Carolina Courage, but did not appear for the two-time league champions.

In May, she signed with PSV in the Netherlands, and per Soccerway has played in every game this season so far (7 appearances, 6 starts) for the current Dutch league leaders.

At Florida State, the Texas native was one of four players to appear in every game as the Seminoles won the 2018 national championship. Tillman was a four-year starter in Tallahassee, piling up 12 goals and 22 assists for Mark Krikorian’s powerhouse program. Tillman has also been called in for U.S. under-17 and under-20 duty in the past.

Tillman, 22, figures to have a battle on her hands in the preseason. Of the 16 players the Spirit have either signed or have extended offers to for 2020, 8 have spent significant minutes in midfield during their pro careers. That said, with right back Tori Huster and forward Crystal Thomas in that group, there may end up being room, especially with Richie Burke playing a midfield diamond in a not-insignificant portion of 2019’s games.

The Re-Entry Wire saw multiple Spirit players picked up. A day after the Spirit made 9 players available, 3 familiar names were selected by other teams. Utah Royals FC claimed the NWSL rights for both midfielder/forward Cali Farquharson and forward Arielle Ship, while the Orlando Pride put in a claim for Australian midfielder Chloe Logarzo.