The San Diego Wave’s flurry of offseason moves continued Monday, when the club traded midfielder Taylor Kornieck to Racing Louisville for $150,000 in allocation money.
Kornieck played in 37 regular-season matches for the Wave over the last two seasons, scoring seven goals and notching four assists. An original member of the Wave, Kornieck has made 74 career appearances in the National Women’s Soccer leagues, notching 10 goals and seven assists.
Wave General Manager Molly Downtain indicated that the 25-year-old Kornieck requested a trade.
“We want to thank Taylor for her time with the club, and wanted to respect her request to pursue a new opportunity within the league,” Downtain said in a news release. “Taylor was a true professional on and off the field and we wish her all the best in this next step of her career.”
In an Instagram post, Kornieck thanked Wave fans, her teammates and San Diego’s staff.
“I’ve made friends for life here and so grateful for each and every one of you,” she wrote. “Change is good. Super excited to get started @racinglouisvillefc !! New name, new number, new city.”
Kornieck will now go by Taylor Flint. She is married to professional punter Bailey Flint, an Australian who played collegiately at the University of Toledo.
The midfielder was part of one of the biggest trades in the Wave’s short history. In January 2022, San Diego acquired Kornieck and Emily van Egmond from the Orlando Pride for $125,000 in allocation money and a second-round pick in this year’s draft.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Wave, who have re-signed van Egmond, forwards Kyra Carusa and Amirah Ali and defender Christen Westphal, traded for forward Elyse Bennett and goalkeeper Hillary Beall; traded (and then re-acquired) midfielder Sierra Enge; and drafted midfielder Kennedy Wesley and forward Mya Jones.
The Wave open the 2024 season March 15 against NJ/NY Gotham FC in New Jersey. The one-game showcase match is being billed as the NWSL Challenge Cup, a change from last year’s format.
