WPS striker Lenczyk signs with the Ottawa Fury

The Ottawa Fury has brought a refugee from the WPS to bolster its ranks.

The club announced that American forward Meghan Lenczyk will join reigning W-League MVP Mallory Outerbridge in the attack. Lenczyk was the 14th overall selection in 2011 WPS draft, and played in 14 games for the Atlanta Beat, scoring twice.

The cash-strapped WPS, shedding franchises and embroiled in legal battles with renegade club magicJack, suspended operations for the 2012 season, leaving many of the world’s top women’s soccer players without a place to play. With the 2012 Olympics coming up, many have chosen to focus on their national teams for the moment.

But, for Lenczyk, who wouldn’t be on the radar of the powerful U.S. national team, coming to Ottawa is an awfully good fit. She will be available for selection — barring injury — when Ottawa hosts the W-League championships July 27-29.

Last season, Ottawa entered the W-League final undefeated and with the league’s runaway top goal scorer, Outerbridge, in the Fury’s midst. But they were stunned 6-1 by the Atlanta Silverbacks in the final.

By bringing in Lenczyk, Ottawa is making a statement of intent.

“Meghan played a significant role in her first WPS season after a successful career at the University of Virginia,” said Fury coach Dominic Oliveri in a release issued by the club on Thursday. “She brings a wealth of experience as well as a physical presence in front of goal that will definitely be an asset to our club in our run to the W-League Championship.”

On paper, you’d think no one will stop the Seattle Sounders women this year, with goalkeeper Hope Solo, forward Sydney Leroux, forward Alex Morgan and forward Megan Rapinoe on the roster. All are U.S. national-team stars. But, remember that the Olympic soccer tourney begins July 25, so a Seattle side would be emaciated before heading to Ottawa for the final (assuming Seattle represents the West).

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