The Houston Dash announced Ebony Salmon as their newest signing, striking a deal with Racing Louisville for the player.
The two clubs agreed to a trade in exchange for allocation money, seeing Salmon sign a contract extension with the Houston side through the 2023 NWSL season as Racing receive $150,000 in allocation money in 2022, following by an additional $25,000 in 2023. The deal also includes performance-based incentives, with Louisville seeing up to $15,000 more in allocation money this year if Salmon meets the criteria while with the Dash.
“We thank Ebony for all of her contributions here in Louisville and see this as an opportunity for her to get the minutes she’s seeking,” announced Racing coach Kim Björkegren. “At the same time, the allocation money received will in return allow us to pursue new player signings this year.”
The deal came as a surprise after Salmon kicked off her career at Racing Louisville with a bang, scoring a goal one minute into her NWSL debut. She now departs the club as the highest scorer during their inaugural season, managing six goals in 2021.
But the player explained her lack of playing time in 2022 makes the transition to the Dash easier.
“There were questions to be asked there, and I asked questions multiple times and didn’t really get the answer that I wanted or a definitive answer that I agreed with, which was frustrating. But then you have to agree with the coach’s opinion,” Salmon said.
“I wanted to stick it out and give it a chance to prove myself. I think I was at a point where I’d kind of given it long enough. I’m not going to play here. I need to go somewhere where I am going to play and where I’m valued.”
Though Salmon may not have gotten a direct answer while on the team, Racing Louisville president James O’Connor explained the talent on the team made for a competitive environment that limited the time of players like Ebony.
“I think when you look at the minutes Ebony had last year to this year, the evolvement of the squad, you have a World Cup winner [in Jessica McDonald], you’ve got a world-class player in Nadia Nadim, you’ve got a young player who’s filled with enthusiasm and wants to play,” said Racing Louisville president James O’Connor.
“I think when a situation like that arises, it’s okay, what’s best for everyone?”
Now, despite the struggle at Louisville, Salmon remains eager to make her mark on the American League.
“I think I’ve still got a lot to do out here before I think about going back to England,” Salmon told The Striker Texas. “I’m taking my anger from not playing in Louisville and I’m going to show what I can do here when I get on the pitch.”
With the Dash on the hunt for the top spot on the table, Salmon will have a chance to prove her worth on the field. She will be available for the Dash on their next match on July 1 against Kansas City.
