Stephanie Roche ‘very disappointed’ to be released by US club

Ireland’s Stephanie Roche has been unexpectedly released by Houston Dash, the American soccer club she joined in February and first played for in April.

Roche had been enjoying her time with the Texan side and said the decision to release her came as a bolt from the blue.

“I got an email the night before last saying I had a meeting with the coach and the General Manager and that set alarm bells off," she told the Irish Independent

“I was basically told that at the minute we have injuries at the back and the club needs more defenders. They can only sign so many international players and because I am one of the higher earners, they cut me.”

Very disappointed to finish up with Houston Dash. Impossible to appreciate the highs without experiencing the lows #ToughDay

— Stephanie Zambra (@StephanieRoche9) May 20, 2015

Coach Randy Waldrum explained the club’s decision to keepernotes.com.

“I told her, as bad as we have been defensively, we had to make some moves,” he said. “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 news came as a particular shock as Roche had been told she was performing well.

“It was a big shock, I was really enjoying it here,” she explained. “The manager liked me and told me I was one of the best finishers at the club. I didn’t see it coming at all. I am shocked and disappointed.”

“I was only with the Irish girls when they were over here a couple of weeks ago and I was telling them how much I was enjoying it.”

Roche’s exit warranted only a brief mention at the end of a statement on the two new defenders they signed.

It read: "In corresponding moves to make room on the 20-player roster, defender Stephanie Ochs has been placed on the season-ending injury list after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL and forward Stephanie Roche has been waived”.

Via BreakingNews.ie