The 2017 NWSL season kicks off on Saturday, April 15. Today, all clubs has to reduce their preseason rosters to 25 players. (photo courtesy Meg Linehan, Excelle Sports)
Today marks the first roster cut-down day ahead of opening weekend for NWSL clubs. As of training camp today, team’s rosters must be capped at 25 players as mandated by the league. On April 10, all rosters must have 18-20 players, five days before the league officially kicks off for its fifth season on Saturday, April 15.
Breakers original 22 player preseason roster remains intact
No cuts for the Breakers today, as they initially brought only 22 players into preseason camp, keeping them under the total 25 and thus excluding them from needing to make cuts today. Earlier this morning, the club announced the signing of forward Margaret Purce, the No.9 overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. The Breakers opened preseason play defeating Boston College by a score of 5-1. Adriana Leon lead the team with a hat trick. The team returns to action today in a match against the New England Futbol Club U-15 boys team.
PLAYER NEWS: Breakers sign forward Margaret Purce!
Read: https://t.co/FpW46NiaPB. pic.twitter.com/OF7GEpIE21
— BostonBreakers (@BostonBreakers) March 28, 2017
Goalkeepers (3): Sammy Jo Prudhomme, Abby Smith, Libby Stout
Defenders (7): Allysha Chapman, Brooke Elby, Amanda Frisbie, Julie King, Megan Oyster, Kylie Strom, Christen Westphal
Midfielders (6): Morgan Andrews, Amanda Da Costa, Rose Lavelle, Angela Salem, Tiffany Weimer, Rosie White
Forwards (6): Hayley Dowd, Natasha Dowie, Emilie Haavi, Adriana Leon, Ifeoma Onumonu, Margaret Purce
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Chicago Red Stars drop five players to trim to a 25-woman roster
This afternoon the Chicago Red Stars announced their trimmed down preseason roster from 30 players to the 25 maximum. Head coach Rory Dames released his roster that includes 19 players returning from last year’s team. The Red Stars lost their preseason opener last weekend to the Portland Thorns in the first round of the Thorns Spring Invitational. With a line up that was missing a few key regular starters due to Julie Johnston’s wedding, the Red Stars were unable to find the back of the net to equalize through 90 minutes. They are back in action again on Wednesday in the second round of the preseason tournament where they will take on the Houston Dash.
Goalkeepers (2): Michele Dalton, Alyssa Naeher
Defenders (6): Arin Gilliland, Sarah Gorden, Samantha Johnson, Julie Ertz, Katie Naughton, Casey Short
Midfielders (11): Jackie Altschuld, Danielle Colaprico, Taylor Comeau, Vanessa DiBernardo, Lauren Kaskie, Morgan Proffitt, Courtney Raetzman, Sofia Huerta, Alyssa Mautz, Mary Luba, Brittany Ratcliffe
Forwards (8): Janelle Flaws, Summer Green, Jennifer Hoy, Simone Kolander, Stephanie McCaffrey, Christen Press, Cara Walls
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FCKC releases updated roster with only a few changes
FC Kansas City trimmed its original preseason roster by three to hit the 25-players allowable in accordance with the league limits for this part of preseason. The current player pool features many of the players who began training camp with a team a few weeks back. FCKC scored seven against the University of Missouri their first game of the 2017 preseason. Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux each notched a goal in their first competitive appearances since their return from maternity leave.
Goalkeepers (4): Nicole Barnhart, Kaela Little, Cat Parkhill, Danielle Rice
Defenders (9): Alex Arlitt, Yael Averbuch, Rashida Beal, Katie Bowen, Becca Moros, Toriana Patterson, Brianne Reed, Becky Sauerbrunn, Brittany Taylor
MIDFIELDERS (9): Christina Gibbons, Maegan Kelly, Lo’eau LaBonta, Mandy Laddish, Sydney Miramontez, Alexa Newfield, Desiree Scott, Josie Steiver, Erika Tymrak
FORWARDS (4): Shea Groom, Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez
No changes necessary to Dash roster
The Houston Dash will keep their 25-player roster that was listed to start off preseason camp a few weeks back. They opened preseason this year defeating Baylor 2-0 with goals from Kealia Ohai and trialist Amber Munerlyn. The Dash improved to 2-0 in preseason in a victory over the U.S. U-23 women’s national team by a score of 2-1 at the Thorns Spring Invitational. The Dash notched two goals in the final few minutes of play to secure the win. Next up, they take on the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday.
Clutch. @abrooks22‘s game-winning goal came seconds before the final whistle. #DashOn pic.twitter.com/A1iQIGSnoF
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) March 27, 2017
Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell, Bianca Henninger, Lydia Williams
Defenders (10): Bruna Benites, Megan Crosson, Claire Falknor, Jaylyn Odermann, Stephanie Ochs, Cami Privett, Poliana, Cari Roccaro, Erin Smith , Janine Van Wyk
Midfielders (6): Andressa, Morgan Brian, Amber Brooks, Anna Maria Gilbertson, Caity Heap, Carli Lloyd, Denise O’Sullivan
Forwards (6): Janine Beckie, Rachel Daly, Melissa Henderson, Amber Munnerlyn, Kealia Ohai, Nichelle Prince
NC Courage announce new 25-player roster
The North Carolina Courage released their 25-player roster today which includes 19 players who have signed contracts, three 2017 NWSL College Draft picks, and three invitees. The Courage defeated the University of Tennessee 3-0 in their preseason opener. Jessica McDonald and Lynn Williams both found the back of the net to ensure the win. They are back in action on Saturday against Wake Forest.
Goalkeepers (2): Katelyn Rowland, Sabrina D’Angelo
Defenders (9): Elizabeth Eddy, Abby Erceg, Taylor Smith, Abby Dahlkemper, Jaelene Hinkle, Courtney Niemiec, Meredith Speck, Claire Wagner, Tina Iordanou
Midfielders (8): Michaela Hahn, Samantha Mewis, McCall Zerboni, Samantha Witteman, Rosana, Debinha, Maria Lubrano-Lavadera, Megan Lindsay
Forwards (6): Makenzy Doniak, Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald, Kristen Hamilton, Ashley Hatch, Darian Jenkins
The Orlando Pride drop four players to hit new roster total
Tom Sermanni has cut his in-camp player roster down to 25 players from the original 29 in-market players from the beginning of camp. Forward Alex Morgan who’s with French side Lyon and defender McKenzie Berryhill who’s awaiting to be cleared medically, are not included, although the Pride still retains their rights. The Pride won their preseason opener against Stetson by a score of 9-0 as Ali Krieger made her first appearance in a Pride jersey. They improved to 2-0 for preseason after defeating University of South Florida 2-1. Chioma Ubogagu and trialist Carol Rodrigues netted one apiece. Up next for the Pride will be the University of Florida who they square off against tomorrow followed by a match up against Florida State on Saturday. They conclude preseason play on April 7 when they take on the U-23 women’s national team.
“There’s been a lot of depth in every position making it really competitive” – @Mevans018
LionNation for Full Vid | https://t.co/bJlye93QHx pic.twitter.com/CdAhggGPFb
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) March 28, 2017
GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Ashlyn Harris, Hannah Seabert
DEFENDERS (8): Laura Alleway, Steph Catley, Monica Hickmann Alves, Alanna Kennedy, Ali Krieger, Cami Levin, Camila Martins Pereira, Toni Pressley
MIDFIELDERS (5): Jocelyn Blankenship, Nickolette Driesse, Kristen Edmonds, Maddy Evans, Dani Weatherholt
FORWARDS (9): Christina Burkenroad, Danica Evans, Jamia Fields, Sarah Hagen, Rachel Hill, Carol Rodrigues, Jasmyne Spencer, Tabitha Tindell, Chioma Ubogagu
Parsons’ original 23 players continue to compete for roster spots
There are no cuts that needed to be made for Mark Parson’s Portland Thorns today as the 23 players originally brought into camp will remain to continue to compete for the final 20 spots. The Thorns defeated the Chicago Red Stars 1-0 in the first round of the Thorns Spring Invitational last weekend to open up preseason play. Nadim put Portland on the board in the 26th minute after burying a penalty kick after Allie Long was taken down in the box. Next, Portland takes on the U.S. U-23 team in the second round of the preseason tournament tomorrow.
.@nadia_nadim drives it into the upper 90 from the spot for a 1-0 lead.
Stream: https://t.co/c3s0jfc38R #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/eQ4UyQBE1n
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) March 27, 2017
Goalkeepers (3): Emily Armstrong, Britt Eckerstrom, Adrianna Franch
Defenders (9): Ellie Boon, Meghan Cox, Caroline Flynn, Kelli Hubly, Kendall Johnson, Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Katherine Reynolds, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders (7): Celeste Boureille, Dagny Brynjarsdottir, Amandine Henry, Lindsey Horan, Allie Long, Mana Shim, Mallory Weber
Forwards (6): Tobin Heath, Ashley Herndon, Nadia Nadim, Christine Sinclair, Meg Morris, Hayley Raso
Seattle Reign announces trimmed roster ahead of first preseason match
Jessica Fishlock has reported for camp in Seattle.
Today, Laura Harvey announced her 25-player preseason roster that includes 18 contracted players and the club’s three NWSL College Draft picks in Maddie Bauer, Katie Johnson and Kristen McNabb. Jessica Fishlock and Rebekah Stott are both now in camp after missing the first few weeks. The Seattle Reign open up preseason next Tuesday against UCLA. After that, they will take on the University of Washington on April 8.
Goalkeepers (3): Haley Kopmeyer, Maddie Schiffel, Brianna Smallridge
Defenders (10): Elli Reed, Merritt Mathias, Lauren Barnes, Rachel Corsie, Carson Pickett, Anjel Brown, Maddie Bauer, Kristen McNabb , Rumi Utsugi, Rebekah Stott
Midfielders (9): Veronica Perez , Christine Nairn, Jordan Jesolva, Haley Rosen, Mimi Rangel, Lindsay Elston, Paige Nielsen, Jessica Fishlock, Diana Matheson
Forwards (6): Beverly Yanez, Kiersten Dallstream, Megan Rapinoe, Nahomi Kawasumi, Katie Johnson, Larissa Crummer
Sky Blue drops seven players in updated roster release
Sky Blue FC announced its updated roster that comes in at the 25-player maximum after trimming down from the original 32 player roster at the start of camp. Sky Blue opened preseason play with a 3-1 win over St. Johns University with goals from Maya Hayes, Kelley O’Hara (who played for her club as a forward) and Sarah Killion. Up next, Sky Blue takes on University of North Carolina this weekend on April 1. Tasha Kai has yet to join the club. She is home in Hawaii continuing rehab from off season ankle surgery.
Soooo… this finish by @skillion16! ? pic.twitter.com/xOVdHNiQRL
— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) March 25, 2017
GOALKEEPERS (3): Caroline Casey, Kristyn Shea, Kailen Sheridan
DEFENDERS (6): Mandy Freeman, Kayla Mills, Christie Rampone, Domi Richardson, Erin Simon, Erica Skroski
MIDFIELDERS (8): Catrina Atanda, Kelly Conheeney, Daphne Corboz, Sarah Killion, Taylor Lytle, Raquel Rodriguez, Nikki Stanton, Madison Tiernan
FORWARDS (8): Kim DeCesare, Leah Galton, Maya Hayes, Sam Kerr, McKenzie Meehan, Kelley O’Hara, Danielle Schulmann, Catherine Zimmerman
Spirit cuts down roster to come within league limit
The Spirit’s newly cut-down roster includes 24 players that will remain in camp as well as two more players who do not yet count toward the 25-player maximum in forward Cali Farquharson and goalkeeper Kelsey Wys. Both are recvering from torn ACLs and set to arrive for training in April. The Spirit defeated Penn State on March 18 to open preseason play with a 3-0 victory. Mewis scored twice and Stengel notched a penalty to give the Spirit the victory. This past weekend, the Spirit barreled through the University of North Carolina as four goals in the second half gave them a 5-0 victory. Spirit will return to the pitch on Saturday when they take on Duke in their third preseason game.
Goalkeepers (4): Stephanie Labbé, DiDi Haracic, Kori Butterfield, Kelsey Wys
Defenders (6): Whitney Church, Estelle Johnson, Shelina Zadorsky, Kassey Kallman, Alyssa Kleiner, Caprice Dydasco
Midfielders (7): Line Sigvardsen Jensen, Kristie Mewis, Joanna Lohman, Tori Huster, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Cameron Castleberry, Lauren Lazo,
Forwards (9): Lindsey Agnew, Gloria Douglas, Cali Farquharson, Francisca Ordega, Arielle Ship, Havana Solaun, Katie Stengel, Crystal Thomas, Cheyna Williams
