Today the Reign announced that they’ve re-signed defender Rachel Corsie for the 2017 season, solidifying a defense that’s been the best in the league since the 2014 roster overhaul.
Corsie joined the team for the 2015 season and became a key player in that defense, which finished second in the league in goals allowed en route to a second consecutive NWSL Shield. She missed much of last season due to injury, playing in just 12 games. That forced Kendall Fletcher back to the center from right back, leaving the problematic fullback spot even more unsteady, as the team eventually had to settle on winger Merritt Mathias playing out of position there through the end of the season.
Her return and last month’s re-signing of Bev Yanez means the roster continues to remain very stable, with the expected 2017 starting lineup missing only Keelin Winters and Manon Melis (who both retired) and Kim Little (who transferred to Arsenal) from the preferred 2016 starting lineup.
Corsie is also expected to return to the Scotland national team for January caps and be absent for part of the regular season as the Scots play in their first ever UEFA Championship.