Huge disappointment for Stephaine Roche.
The Irish International and Puskas Award runner-up has been let go from Houston Dash after just three months and 24 minutes of action, with the club releasing her in order to sign two International defenders.
Strict rules in the NWSL say that teams can only have 20 players on the roster, and they have confirmed she will be placed on the waiver list, after bringing in Australian defender Ellie Brush and Brazilian defender Camila.
To make room on the roster, Dash have waived Stephanie Roche & placed Stephanie Ochs on the season-ending injury list.
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) May 20, 2015
KeeperNotes say that Roche was let go in order to bulk up the side’s defensive options, and head coach Randy Waldrum was quoted as saying it was a decision he did not take lightly.
“I really would have liked to have given her the time to be with us a season because I think she was getting better and better and adapting. Unfortunately, as I told her, as bad as we have been defensively, we had to make some moves. Two internationals, and the international spots being so critical, we had to let somebody go.
“Unfortunately it came down to her; we just didn’t have the time to wait on her. I just hope I don’t grow to regret it at the end, but we had to do it with somebody.”
The Irish star has taken the news on the chin, however.
Very disappointed to finish up with Houston Dash. Impossible to appreciate the highs without experiencing the lows #ToughDay
— Stephanie Zambra (@StephanieRoche9) May 20, 2015
H-t Keepernotes.com