Looking for National Women’s Soccer League news on who signed where or who got traded? Check back for updates here on all the transactions. Trades and major signings are on top but scroll down past the break for a team-by-team rundown of comings and goings. For our 2020-21 NWSL Transaction Tracker, click here.
To see all 12 teams’ finalized rosters ahead of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup, click here.
HEADLINE MOVES AND ANALYSIS
March 16, 2022
Racing Louisville signs Sh’Nia Gordon to a two-year deal.
Analysis: The story here is pretty remarkable. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FIFA has allowed foreign players in Russia to terminate their contract with no penalty. Sh’Nia Gordon, who featured collegiately for West Virginia University, took the opportunity and cancelled her contract with CSKA Moscow, the two-time Russian champions and UEFA Champions League participants. Gordon was with CSKA for seven months, making two appearances in Champions League, where she featured against current Racing Louisville coach Kim Björkegren and his side, Apollon Ladies of Cyprus. Before joining CSKA, Gordon featured for Dijon FCO, scoring seven goals and recording four assists. She’s a young forward who will help up top with depth and could get some minutes in Challenge Cup action. — Rachael Kriger |
March 14, 2022
Sophia Smith re-signed on a three-year contract with Portland, through the 2024 season.
Portland Analysis: Sophia Smith has re-signed with the Portland Thorns through 2024, inking a three-year contract extension. Smith has started 24 out of 31 matches in her Thorns career, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. General manager Karina LeBlanc stated that the importance of signing Smith meant the organization was committed and invested in her and her young career. “What she brings to the game on the field is an ability to score goals, but she also adds so much more. It is what she brings to our team culture, the community, who she is as a person, that is what we want from a Thorns player. In looking at the team now, but also into the future keeping her in Portland was a top priority,” LeBlanc said, via a press release. — RK |
March 11, 2022
Angel City FC acquire Madison Hammond from OL Reign in exchange for a 2023 2nd round pick and $45,000 in allocation money.
Angel City Analysis: A smart and not unsurprising move in the wake of the Sarah Gorden injury which could well keep her out the entire 2022 season. Hammond is a solid defender who should slide right into a regular center back role with the expansion L.A. club. The price tag might be a bit high in the end but Angel City are looking to contend right away and the loss of Gorden and absence of Julie Ertz left a hole in the middle too big to ignore. — Dan Lauletta // Reign Analysis: With a surplus of options to partner Alana Cook in central defense the Reign made good by acquiring what should be a top 20 pick and some allocation money to play with. — Dan Lauletta |
March 11, 2022
Houston Dash acquire Elizabeth Eddy from Gotham FC in exchange for a 4th round pick in 2023.
Dash Analysis: The Dash had more players leave than enter during the offseason and Eddy offers depth at several positions. In a career that included an NWSL Championship with the 2016 Flash, Eddy has been a quality backup at outside back as well as in midfield. Her energy should suit the Dash well. — Dan Lauletta // Gotham Analysis: With a deep roster in tow, Gotham moved on from Eddy and acquired a late-round pick. Fourth-rounders at this stage in the NWSL rarely make an impact but it’s another asset to play with for the rest of 2022 and they found Eddy a home where she figures to earn far more minutes than she would have in New Jersey. — Dan Lauletta |
February 2, 2022
Trinity Rodman re-signed to the Washington Spirit on a three-year deal, with a club option for 2025.
Washington Analysis: The future, and the present, of the Washington Spirit lies with Trinity Rodman. The NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2021 has inked a three-year contract extension, with a club option for 2025. Rodman was dominant for the Spirit in her rookie campaign, helping to lead the team to an NWSL Championship title. Rodman scored seven goals and provided seven assists. She was the youngest player selected in the NWSL Draft in league history. — RK |
January 27, 2022
Christine Sinclair re-signs on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Portland Analysis: There’s no Portland Thorns FC without thinking of Christine Sinclair. The Canadian gold medalist scored five goals in 16 appearances last year for the Thorns, with all of those appearances being starts. Sinclair is on a young team, but isn’t falling behind the rest. Her veteran presence is invaluable to the younger players and she’s still got a knack for goals. For country, she’ll help Canada in their qualification quest for the World Cup. — RK |
Japanese international Hina Sugita signs a three-year contract with the Portland Thorns.
Portland Analysis: With news of Lindsey Horan leaving for Lyon, this move makes perfect sense. The Portland Thorns are going to have a new-look midfield next year, and Japanese international Hina Sugita — who featured in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2020 Olympics — is going to be a main factor in it. Sugita was named the Nadeshiko League Division I Best Young Player in 2016 and in the Best XI in 2019. She has already earned praise from Thorns head coach Rhian Wilkinson: “She plays with bravery on the ball, always looking for opportunities to be dangerous. She sees passes others do not see. Her on-field vision, creativity and ball control are traits that allow her to find a way out of tight positions to break open opposing teams.” — RK |
January 26, 2022
Bethany Balcer re-signs on a three-year contract, with a club option for 2025; Lu Barnes re-signs on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023; Megan Rapinoe re-signs on a one-year deal.
UPDATE: Rose Lavelle re-signs on a two-year deal.
Analysis: Balcer is the big signing here, inking her future with OL Reign on a three-year contract. Balcer deserves every bit of it, too. In 2021, Balcer scored nine goals in 24 games, staying on pace with Ashley Hatch in the Golden Boot race. She started only 13 games last year, but expect that number to go up. She won’t be riding the bench any longer for Laura Harvey after the successful season she had last year. Barnes coming back solidifies the defense, one that now includes Phoebe McClernon and Rapinoe was a given for at least one more year. — RK |
January 21, 2022
Jaelin Howell signs with Racing Louisville on a three-year deal
Analysis: Jaelin Howell is going to be part of the future, and the present, for Racing Louisville. After selecting her with the second pick in the NWSL Draft — only one behind Naomi Girma — the two-time MAC Hermann Award winner will be with Racing for the next three years. She was recently called up to January camp for the U.S. women’s national team. Howell made 90 appearances at Florida State, scoring 14 goals. She has two NCAA Championships to her name, with the most recent coming this year. Last year, Racing selected Emily Fox, a young defender out of North Carolina. Those two will be the building blocks for years to come in Kentucky. — RK |
January 14, 2022
Mia Fishel signs with Tigres in Liga MX Femenil
Analysis: Fishel was the 5th pick in the 2022 draft out of UCLA where she played for new Orlando Pride coach Amanda Cromwell. But the reunion will have to wait as the sides did not come to terms leading to Fishel signing to play in Mexico. The Pride have not made many high draft picks over the years and this is one who will not play in the Sunshine State, at least for 2022. The Pride will retain Fishel’s NWSL playing rights, but this is another blow in what has been a difficult offseason in Orlando.. — Dan Lauletta |
January 11, 2022
Yuki Nagasato traded back to Chicago Red Stars from Racing Louisville; Louisville acquire an international spot through 2023, along with Chicago’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Analysis: Yuki Nagasato is back in Chicago — and engaged. Her engagement was the main reason for the trade, according to her quote in Louisville’s press release. According to Nagasato, her partner lives in Chicago and that is where they decided to “build their life.” Nagasato thanked Louisville for understanding her situation, after featuring for the club in it’s first-ever NWSL season. Louisville get a hefty reward, too, as those international spots will not go to waste. For clarification, Racing will receive one international spot each in 2022 and 2023. — RK |
January 10, 2022
Caprice Dydasco re-signs with Gotham FC on a two-year contract.
Analysis: The reigning defender of the year in the NWSL, not much else needs to be said here. After undergoing a few years of rehabbing from two ACL tears, Caprice Dydasco found her form and excelled with Gotham in 2021, a season she was ready to have after two resilient comebacks. Dydasco joins Estelle Johnson, who re-signed to a similar deal earlier in the offseason. However, the duo will have to adjust to a new goalkeeper with Kailen Sheridan gone. Luckily for Dydasco, she played with Ashlyn Harris — and Ali Krieger — when they were with the Washington Spirit. — RK |
Kansas City Current acquires Lynn Williams in trade with North Carolina Courage; NC receives $200,000 in allocation money, the rights to goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and KC’s natural first-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Analysis: Have the Current become the North Carolina Courage 2.0? That what their flurry of moves in the last year makes it look like. First it was Rowland, along with Kristen Hamilton and Hailie Mace, then it was Sam Mewis and now Lynn Williams. The Current have been stacking their roster full of former Courage players. Rowland is now on the way back to North Carolina, a move she called going back “home.” Meanwhile, Lynn Williams said in a Kansas City release that she wanted to get “out of her comfort zone” and Kansas City gave her the opportunity. — RK |
January 6, 2022
Maria Sanchez signs two-year contract with the Houston Dash
Dash Analysis: One of the worst-kept-secrets in women’s soccer has been officially announced. Maria Sanchez, who spent the last two years in Mexico with Chivas and, more notably, Tigres Femenil has signed a two-year deal with the Houston Dash. She was on loan in Houston back in June 2021 for a month, before returning back to Tigres. In Houston, she scored her first NWSL goal against Orlando. Last year, Sanchez helped Tigres win the Clausura, while in the most recent Apertura, she helped the team to a top-of-the-table finish and the runner-up title after losing to Monterrey on penalty kicks. This is Sanchez’ second stint in the NWSL, after featuring for the Chicago Red Stars nine times in 2019. Sanchez said she’s getting another shot at her “dream” of playing in the NWSL, and head coach James Clarkson is fired up about his newest addition: “She is an outstanding player and a wonderful person. She’s going to have a major impact on the league this season,” Clarkson said in the team’s media release. — RK |
December 29, 2021
Bella Bixby re-signs with the Portland Thorns on a three-year contract.
Portland Analysis: This comes as no surprise for the Thorns, who have been riding high with Bella Bixby and made her the starting goalkeeper this past summer after thriving during the Olympics. In fact, the team elected to trade Adrianna Franch, a longtime Thorns goalkeeper and veteran, in favor of Bixby, who could soon be joining the U.S. women’s national team ranks on a consistent basis. Bixby was praised by her goalkeeper coach, German international Nadine Angerer: “Bella is a young and talented goalkeeper that has a very high ceiling. A key part of a strong spine, she is calm and composed under pressure with a strong ability to read the game and make smart decisions, while her character has made a positive impact inside the locker room.” — RK |
December 21, 2021
Kristen Hamilton re-signs through the 2024 season.
KC Analysis: This is a very good deal for Kansas City. Kristen Hamilton was traded to the Current last season in a blockbuster trade, which saw Amy Rodriguez go to North Carolina. Hamilton, during her time in Kansas City, was a regular starter up front — a spot she’ll likely continue to have in 2022. A three-year deal shows the Long’s trust in her as a formidable option up front to score goals. Hamilton, too, will want big numbers to get her back into the U.S. women’s national team picture, too. After being buried for so long on the North Carolina depth chart, it seems that Hamilton has found her long-term option. — RK |
December 20, 2021
Houston Dash acquire forward Paulina Gramaglia on loan from UAI Urquiza (Argentina)
Dash Analysis: Another teenager is ready to make her stamp in the National Women’s Soccer League. Paulina Gramaglia is on loan with the Houston Dash through the 2022 season, with a purchase option at the end of the loan. Houston said she will join the team in January, when the international transfer window opens. In the seven games she’s featured in for UAI Urquiza — which is a club in Argentina’s top division, she scored nine goals. She’s a young talent, but already has senior national team appearances. This could be the next great start from South America and CONMEBOL. — RK |
December 17, 2021
Angel City FC signs Canadian international Vanessa Gilles to a one-year deal with a club option for 2023.
Analysis: Angel City FC has acquired an Olympic gold medalist. That’s never a bad deal. While terms weren’t discussed financially, Angel City will have Vanessa Gilles for at least one season, although there is a club option for 2023. Gilles has been in France since July 2018, where she has featured for FC Girondins de Bordeaux. She has made over 60 appearances and scored two goals. She also featured in Cyprus for Apollon Ladies. Internationally, she made her debut for Canada in 2019 and was part of the gold-medal winning Olympic squad this past summer. — RK |
December 16, 2021
Orlando Pride trade Alex Morgan to San Diego Wave FC in exchange for $275,000 in allocation money and midfielder Angharad James (who came to San Diego via a trade with North Carolina). San Diego also passed on selecting a player from Orlando in the expansion draft.
Analysis: This probably is not surprising, but Alex Morgan is now the answer to the trivia question, ‘Which NWSL player commanded the most allocation money in a single trade?’ The $275,000 San Diego sent to Orlando is a new league record, and a hefty sum. Assuming nothing else happens involving the No. 1 pick, San Diego manages to get Morgan, who will be their offensive focal point, without giving up their future, likely midfielder Jaelin Howell out of FSU. The Pride not getting the top pick back in return is bizarre considering Howell’s local-ish ties, bright future, and the Pride’s full-on rebuild. Orlando needs to make some serious investments with that cash now in hand. This trade got confirmed right after the expansion draft, upon the reopening of the window. San Diego announced Morgan’s signing on Monday, before the paperwork was official. A fine from the league office is expected in the coming days. — JK |
San Diego Wave trades Kristie Mewis to NJ/NY Gotham FC for $200,000 in allocation money
Analysis: San Diego used its first pick in the expansion draft to take Kristie Mewis from the Houston Dash and package her NWSL playing rights in a trade with Gotham FC, as The Equalizer reported during the draft. Houston will receive $150,000 in allocation money as compensation for losing Mewis, who was a U.S. federation player in 2021. Assuming San Diego needs the allocation money for other signings (and they still need to make plenty), it’s a nice little deal to play facilitator in this and get $50,000 more than they would have if they just left Mewis in Houston. This is another move for Gotham which brings veteran experience right away but doesn’t scream long-term, so it will be interesting to see what the stated goals are for that club in 2022. Right now, it certainly has the vibe of a team meant to go all-in on one big run at a title. |
December 8, 2021
North Carolina Courage acquire full expansion draft protection in two separate trades., sending the rights to Cari Roccaro to Angel City and Angharad James to San Diego.
Analysis: Cari Roccaro has won some championships with North Carolina, so she will bring plenty of veteran experience to Angel City FC’s midfield. — RK |
Portland Thorns FC trade the rights to forwards Simone Charley and Tyler Lussi to Angel City FC in exchange for expansion draft protection, $100K in allocation money and LA’s natural second-round pick in the NWSL draft.
Analysis: Two young players with a lot of upside. Simone Charley went from being a player that Portland could use when internationals went on break to becoming a regular starter. With plenty of experience under her belt, Angel City and Freya Coombe will look to her to bolster the attack, coupling with Christen Press. Tyler Lussi is a solid goal-scoring forward who could see some significant minutes. — RK |
Gotham FC trades the rights to DiDi Haracic to Angel City FC for expansion draft roster protection and $50K in allocation money.
December 5, 2021
Gotham FC acquires Ali Kriger and Ashlyn Harris from Orlando Pride; Pride receive 2022 first-round NWSL Draft pick, a natural pick in the 2023 Draft and $50,000 in allocation money.
Analysis: Jeff Kassouf asked, “Is this a good deal for Gotham?” In regard to Kailen Sheridan’s trade during the weekend. The trade makes sense now that Harris is in Gotham, surely to be the clear-cut No. 1. Is this a good deal for Gotham? Krieger and Harris aren’t getting any younger, but Harris had one of her better seasons to date last year. The first-round selection will help Gotham bring a young talent in. And, the trade proves that new Orlando owner Mark Wilf is not afraid to make some changes to a struggling team. — RK |
Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Pugh re-sign through 2023, with an option for 2024 with Chicago.
Analysis: This is big news for the Chicago Red Stars. Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Pugh re-signing through the 2023 season is news itself, but add in the fact that they are off U.S. Soccer Federation contracts and it’s a big piece of news. There is an option for 2024. These players are going to be monumental in Chicago’s quest to get back to an NWSL Final. — RK |
December 3, 2021
Gotham FC trades Kailen Sheridan to San Diego for roster protection in the expansion draft and $130,000 in allocation money
Analysis: Is this a good deal for Gotham? We’ll have to see what they do with that load of cash they got to truly judge that, but shipping away arguably the best goalkeeper in the NWSL means downgrading at an important position. DiDi Haracic has shown she can be a solid No. 1, but the reported arrival of Ashlyn Harris further clouds the picture in New Jersey. Gotham is half protected from the expansion draft — as far as we know so far, who knows what else will be announced days after the trade deadline! — but at what cost? This is a steep one. Gotham implied that Sheridan asked for a trade. It’s a good deal for San Diego. They get one of Gotham’s best players, so giving away protection there serves the purpose. They also have extra allocation money to play with as an expansion team, so the value is different to them than it is to Gotham. — JK |
December 2, 2021
Chicago Red Stars trade Julie Ertz, Sarah Gorden and an international roster spot for 2022 and 2023 to Angel City FC for full roster protection in the expansion draft
Chicago Analysis: Please allow me to help you make sense of this trade for Chicago: It does not make sense from a pure valuation standpoint. Ertz departing does, particularly given that her doing so via this trade protects Chicago’s other United States federation players (Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Pugh; the most in the league), but the Red Stars gave away a boatload for the roster protection when Ertz and another small asset should have been enough. Gorden, who played every minute for Chicago in 2021, is not just a throw-in player to get a deal over the line. Combined with the trade sending Katie Johnson, Makenzy Doniak and incoming pro Kelsey Turnbow to San Diego, the Red Stars are fully protected from the expansion draft again (they also got $25,000 in allocation money from San Diego). That part of the trade is relatively understandable, except for giving away Turnbow, who was seen as the future at forward. Most of the players dealt (including Nikki Stanton, who was sent to OL Reign in a separate deal) requested trades, per the Red Stars, which is understandable in light of the Rory Dames fallout. |
November 30, 2021
Sam Mewis traded to Kansas City Current; North Carolina receive Kiki Pickett, discovery rights to Malia Berkley; both teams swap first-round picks.
KC Analysis: Kansas City made a big move, bringing in U.S. women’s national team and three-time NWSL champion Sam Mewis to the Current. In exchange, both teams swapped first-round picks in the upcoming 2022 NWSL Draft. North Carolina also received Kiki Pickett and the discovery rights to Malia Berkley, who is currently playing for FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France. Berkley formerly attended and featured for the Florida State Seminoles. Mewis is not the only player in the last year to make the move to Kansas City, as she’ll reunite with former Courage teammates Katelyn Rowland, Hailie Mace and Kristen Hamilton. — RK |
November 18, 2021
Houston Dash re-sign Jane Campbell and Nichelle Prince
Dash Analysis: On Nov. 16, the Houston Dash re-signed goalkeeper Jane Campbell to a contract through the 2024 season. Two days later, they re-signed Canadian international Nichelle Prince through 2024 as well. Prince, a gold-medalist this past summer in the Tokyo Olympics, scored two goals and provided three assists this season. Campbell, who also went to the Olympics and won bronze with the U.S., made 18 appearances in goal for Houston in 2021. — RK |
EVERY NWSL TEAM MOVES
Angel City FC moves
Christen Press signs as Angel City FC’s first player in a trade with Racing Louisville.
Angel City acquires the rights to Julie Ertz and Sarah Gorden in a trade with the Chicago Red Stars.
Mary Alice Vignola signs a two-year contract with an option for a third year after a trade with Washington.
Angel City acquires goalkeeper DiDi Haracic from Gotham FC in exchange for expansion draft protection and $50K in allocation money.
Angel City acquires midfielder Cari Rocarro’s rights from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for full expansion draft roster protection.
Angel City acquires Simone Charley and Tyler Lussi from the Thorns, who receive expansion draft protection, $100K in Allocation Money and Angel City’s natural second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.Katie Cousins signs a two-year contract with an option for a third year.
Simone Charley signs a two-year contract.
Expansion Draft selections: Jasmyne Spencer, Paige Nielsen, Dani Weatherholt and Claire Emslie.
Vanessa Gilles signs a one-year deal with a club option for 2023.
Savannah McCaskill acquired from Racing Louisville.
Brittany Wilson, goalkeeper, acquired from the Orlando Pride via a trade, along with Orlando’s natural third-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
Draft Picks: Hope Breslin, Lily Nabet and Miriael Taylor.
Jun Endo signs a two-year contract, with a club option to “renew” in 2024.
Allyson Swaby, Jamacian international, has signed a two-year contract with a club option for 2024.
Angel City acquires Ali Riley in a trade with Orlando; Orlando receives $15,000 in allocation money and ACFC’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Savannah McCaskill, midfielder Cari Roccaro, forward Tyler Lussi, and goalkeeper Brittany Wilson Isenhour signed to two-year contracts.
Dani Weatherholt signed to a two-year contract; Jasmyne Spencer signed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2023.
Stefany Ferrer Van Ginkel signs a one-year deal, with a club option to “extend,” from Tigres of Liga MX Femenil.
Analysis: Angel City’s deal with Chicago was particularly impressive. They landed Julie Ertz and Sarah Gorden, two defensive-minded starters, plus allocation money simply to give up roster protection to Chicago. Combined with Press’ arrival previously, they are off to a good start. MA Vignola arrives in LA by way of a trade with the Spirit, and Angel City immediately signed her to a two-year deal with an option for a third year. Vignola played professionally in Iceland after the University of Tennessee and started to gain interest from several teams this fall, to the benefit of the Spirit, who had her rights. Angel City gets Vignola and can still choose another non-federation player from Washington, which is a good double-up for the expansion side. Angel City then appeared to significantly overpay Portland for Simone Charley and Tyler Lussi. Charley looks like she’ll get a deserved shot at starting alongside Christen Press, but that’s a pretty big haul to give up. Part of this trade-off for LA and San Diego, though, is thinking about who you could get in the draft leveraged against who you are guaranteed to get in a trade, and then what you’re willing to give up for that player(s). — Jeff Kassouf |
Chicago Red Stars moves
Julie Ertz and Sarah Gorden traded to Angel City.
Makenzy Doniak and Katie Johnson traded to San Diego Wave, along with the rights to Kelsey Turnbow.
Nikki Stanton traded to OL Reign.
Kayla Sharples loaned to Adelaide United in the Australian W-League Women through March 28, 2022.
Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Pugh re-sign through the 2023 season, with an option for 2024.
Zoey Goralski announces retirement from professional soccer.
Under contract for 2022: Rachel Hill, Alyssa Mautz, Mallory Pugh, Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Morgan Gautrat, Ella Stevens, Sarah Woldmoe, Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, Tatumn Milazzo, Kayla Sharples, Bianca St. Georges, Arin Wright, Alyssa Naeher and Emily Boyd.
Options Exercised: Sarah Luebbert (on loan with Club America in Liga MX Femenil), Kealia Watt and Zoe Morse.
New Contract Offer Extended: Cassie Miller.
Draft Picks: Ava Cook, Sammi Fisher, Sarah Griffith, Kayla McKeon and Jayda Hylton-Pelaia.
Yuki Nagasato traded from Louisville to Chicago; Racing receives one international slot each in 2022 and 2023 and Chicago’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Chicago trades goalkeeper Cassie Miller to Kansas City; Red Stars acquire $75,000 in allocation money.
Analysis: A dozen days after the NWSL Championship, the Red Stars traded five players away with only one third-round pick coming back. Sure they got total expansion draft protection, but trading both Ertz and Gorden to be exempt from Angel City seems bizarre considering Angel City could only take one player off the Red Stars roster. Also of concern was that the announcement of these trades indicated that Gorden, Doniak, Johnson, and Stanton all requested to be moved. On Sharples: The Australian loan has paid off handsomely for many players over the years and if Sharples stays a Red Star she will be returning to a very different roster, likely with more opportunities to get on the field. This could be a pivotal offseason for Sharples and Australia seems a solid place to go. — Dan Lauletta |
Houston Dash moves
Jane Campbell re-signs through the 2024 NWSL season.
Nichelle Prince re-signs through the 2024 NWSL season.
Haley Hanson signs extension through 2022.
Michelle Alozie signs one year contract to return for 2022 season.
Amanda Dennis announces her retirement from professional soccer.
Under Contract for 2022: Jane Campbell, Rachel Daly, Hannah Diaz, Makamae Gomera-Stevens, Shea Groom, Kristie Mewis, Emily Ogle, Nichelle Prince, Sophie Schmidt, Gabby Seiler, and Jasmyne Spencer.
Contract Options Exercised: Michaela Abam, Allysha Chapman, Katie Naughton, Megan Oyster, and Annika Schmidt.
Contract Option Declined: Denisha Blackwood. Waived: Jamia Fields, Andrea Hauksdottir, and Megan Rosa.
Currently Out of Contract: Lindsey Harris, Bri Visalli, and Veronica Latsko.
Julia Ashley acquired from Racing Louisville.
Kelsie Hedge acquired via trade with OL Reign; Reign acquire the No. 22 pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and $15,000 allocation money.
Draft Pick: Ryan Gareis.
Houston Dash acquire forward Paulina Gramaglia on loan from UAI Urquiza (Argentina).
Houston acquires the rights to Ella Dederick, goalkeeper, from OL Reign.
Maria Sanchez, former Tigres Femenil player, signed on a two-year contract.
Lindsey Harris re-signs on a one-year contract.
Veronica Latsko traded to OL Reign; Houston receives $30,000 in allocation money and OL Reign’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Joelle Anderson, a 2021 draft pick who elected to play her extra year of college eligibility, signs a two-year contract.
Ella Dederick signs a two-year contract.
Houston acquires Marisa Viggiano in a trade with Orlando; the Pride receive Megan Montefusco (nee Oyster), $30,000 in allocation money and OL Reign’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, which was acquired in a previous trade.
Julia Ashley re-signs on a two-year deal.
Gabby Kessler (nee Seiler) announces her retirement from professional soccer.
Bri Visalli signs a one-year contract extension.
Ryan Gareis signs a two-year contract after being selected in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
Natalie Jacobs signs a National Team Replacement Player contract, signing for Paulina Gramaglia, who was called up by the Argentina U-20 WNT.
Analysis: Campbell has effectively been the Dash’s only keeper since her rookie year, 2017, and this extension means it will likely stay that way for the next three years. Campbell can be maddeningly inconsistent and could be ready to plummet down the national team depth chart but clearly wants to be in orange and if the Dash fail to make the playoffs again in 2022, it will not likely be because of her. — DL |
Kansas City Current moves
Sam Mewis acquired in trade with North Carolina.
Elizabeth Ball re-signed through the 2024 season.
Hailie Mace re-signed through the 2024 season.
Goalkeeper Carly Nelson loaned to FC Nordsjælland through June 2022.
Michele Vasconcelos loaned to Sevilla through June 2022.
Sydney Miramontez announces her intention to retire.
Under Contract for 2022: Adrianna Franch, Carly Nelson, Elizabeth Ball, Rachel Corsie, Hailie Mace, Mallory Weber, Chloe Logarzo, Sam Mewis, Victoria Pickett, Darian Jenkins, Marianna Larroquette, Jessice Silva, and Michele Vasconcelos.
Contract Options Exercised: Kristen Edmonds, Michelle Maemone, Maddie Nolf, Gaby Vincent, Addie McCain, and Kristen Hamilton.
New Contract Offer Extended: Katelyn Rowland, Katie Bowen, Taylor Leach, Kate Del Fava, Lo’eau LaBonta, Desiree Scott and Jaycie Johnson.
Contract Option Declined: Arielle Ship and Jordyn Listro.
Lo’eau LaBonta re-signed through the 2024 season.
Draft Picks: Elyse Bennett, Chardonnay Curran, Jenna Winebrenner and Izzy Rodriguez.
Kristen Hamilton re-signs on a three-year contract, through the 2024 season.
Kansas City waives Katie Bowen and Michelle Maemone; buys out the contract of Mariana Larroquette.
Kansas City acquires Lynn Williams in a trade with North Carolina; NC receives Katelyn Rowland, a natural 2023 first-round pick from the Current and $200,000 in allocation money.
Darian Jenkins traded to Orlando; Current receive $75,000 in allocation money and Orlando’s natural second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Alex Loera, 2021 draft pick, signed through the 2024 season.
Kristen Edmonds signs new contract through 2022 season.
Desiree Scott re-signs through the 2022 season.
Taylor Leach, Kate Del Fava and Jaycie Johnson re-sign on one-year contracts.
Kansas City acquires goalkeeper Cassie Miller in a trade with Chicago; Red Stars receive $75,000 in allocation money.
Sydney Schneider signs with Kansas City on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Analysis: When healthy, Mewis is in the conversation about who is the best player in the world. She was overseas and injured for a good part of 2021 and the Courage’s performance was reflective of Mewis’ participation in matches. Parting with promising outside back KiKi Pickett — who the Current swapped major allocation money to draft earlier this year — and the No. 3 pick is no small haul, but Mewis is the type of player that can transform an organization. — DL |
NJ/NY Gotham FC moves
Elizabeth Eddy loaned to Newcastle Jets of the Australian A-League Women through March 28, 2022.
Allie Long re-signs on a two-year deal.
Gotham receives $130,000 in allocation money and protection from San Diego in the 2022 Expansion Draft for Kailen Sheridan.
Gotham receives $125,000 in allocation money for Brianna Pinto in a trade with North Carolina.
Gotham acquires Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris in a trade with Orlando.
Gotham acquires expansion draft protection and $50K allocation money from Angel City for DiDi Haracic.
Under Contract for 2022: Jennifer Cudjoe , McCall Zerboni, and Delanie Sheehan.
Contract Options Exercised: Gina Lewandowski, Mandy Freeman, Sabrina Flores, Nicole Baxter, Nahomi Kawasumi, Paige Monaghan and Evelyne Viens.
Contract Option Declined: Kenie Wright, Sodam Lee, and Megan Hinz.New Contract Offer Extended: Estelle Johnson, Imani Dorsey, Caprice Dydasco, Erica Skroski, Elizabeth Eddy, Domi Richardson, Ifeoma Onumonu, Midge Purce, and Mandy McGlynn.
Mandy McGlynn signs with Swedish club Piteå IF.
Cameron Tucker signs a two-year contract with Gotham.
Evelyne Viens has been loaned to Kristianstads DFF through the 2022 NWSL season.
Draft Picks: Kelly Ann Livingstone, Hensley Hancuff and Raleigh Loughman.
Estelle Johnson re-signs for the 2022 season.
Taryn Torres, midfielder from Virginia, signs a one-year deal, with an option for 2023.
Caprice Dydasco re-signs on a two-year contract.
Michelle Betos signs with Gotham on a two-year contract.
Domi Richardson re-signs through the 2022 season, with an option for 2023.
Imani Dorsey re-signs through the 2023 NWSL season.
Kristie Mewis signs with Gotham through the 2024 season.
Margaret Purce re-signed through the 2023 season.
Ifeoma Onumonu re-signs on a one-year contract.
Kansas City transfers Rachel Corsie to Aston Villa (England) and Jéssica Silva to Benfica (Portugal).
Former Penn State University defender Ellie Jean signs a one-year contract, with a club option for 2023, after spending last year with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
Kumi Yokoyama acquired in trade with Washington Spirit; Washington receives Gotham’s natural fourth-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Gotham re-signs Nahomi Kawasumi to a two-year contract, through the 2023 season. Gotham also announced that goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff has signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2023.
Gotham signs Kelly Ann Livingstone to a one-year deal with a club option for 2023.
Analysis: Eddy, 30, will be making her maiden trip to the A-League Women. The addition of two expansion teams figures to open up enough space for Eddy to be a more permanent rotation player whether with Gotham or elsewhere and a stint Down Under could be the springboard she needs to a solid 2022. — DL | Losing Kailen Sheridan to San Diego is a tough one. She’s arguably the best goalkeeper in the NWSL and thus you can only downgrade from her. Then Gotham traded DiDi Haracic, the No. 2 who could be a No. 1, to Angel City for draft protection. They are collectively replaced in goal by 36-year-old Ashlyn Harris, who is a stellar, veteran shot-stopper, but so too were Sheridan and Haracic, which makes the collective moves odd. Maybe they, including the arrival of Ali Krieger alongside Harris, signal the intent to win right away. Right now, however, it’s tough to follow exactly what Gotham is doing. — JK |
North Carolina Courage moves
North Carolina Courage receive $190K in allocation money and San Diego’s 2023 first-round NWSL Draft pick; traded defender Abby Dahlkemper.
Schuyler DeBree announces her retirement from professional soccer.
Kiki Pickett and the discovery rights to Malia Berkely acquired in a trade with Kansas City.
Brianna Pinto acquired from Gotham.
Carson Pickett re-signs through the 2023 season.
Courage send Cari Roccaro’s rights and Angharad James to ACFC and San Diego respectively for full expansion draft protection.
Under Contract for 2022: Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Denise O’Sullivan, Taylor Smith, Brianna Pinto, and Kiki Pickett.
Contract Option Exercised: Debinha, Casey Murphy, Amy Rodriguez, Merritt Mathias, Brittany Ratcliffe, Havana Solaun, Rylee Baisden, Ryan Williams, and Sam Murphy.
New Contract Offer Extended: Kaleigh Kurtz, Peyton Perea, Lindsey Agnew, Jess McDonald, and Meredith Speck.
Not Returning: Diane Caldwell, Hailey Harbison, and Kendall Fletcher.
North Carolina claims Jorian Baucom and Jordyn Listro off the NWSL waiver wire.
Jessica McDonald traded to Racing Louisville.
North Carolina trades the rights to Deanne Rose to the Orlando Pride; receive 29th NWSL Draft pick.
North Carolina signs Jaelene Daniels to a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Draft Picks: Emily Gray, Diana Ordonez, Kaitlin Fregulia, Haleigh Stackpole and Marisa Bova.
North Carolina acquires $200,000 in allocation money, the rights to Katelyn Rowland and Kansas City’s natural 2023 first-round pick in the NWSL Draft in exchange for Lynn Williams.
Brazilian international Kerolin signs a three-year deal; NC used allocation money to buy out her contract from Spanish club Madrid Club de Fútbol Femenin.
Kayleigh Kurtz re-signs on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Frankie Tagliaferri, midfielder, signed on a one-year deal after rights were acquired from OL Reign.
Katie Bowen signed to a one-year contract, with an option to “renew” in 2023. Bowen, a New Zealand international, has her U.S. Green Card, which means she will not take up a roster spot.
Amy Rodriguez announces her retirement from professional soccer after a 16-year career.
Valérie Gauvin signs a one-year deal with the Courage, with a club option for 2023. She was acquired via transfer — with an “agreed upon transfer fee” with Everton in the FA WSL.
Analysis: Dahlkemper seemed to be done with the Courage who managed to get assets back for her from the Wave after grabbing $25,000 in allocation money from the Dash for the short-term loan, err trade, over the summer. The Courage would probably be better off with Dahlkemper but long-term they made themselves an okay trade. — DL | Meanwhile, Brianna Pinto returns to her North Carolina roots after not getting much time with Gotham in her rookie season. Pinto played only 195 minutes across 10 games in a crowded Gotham lineup. The Courage gave up $125,000 in allocation money to get her, so she figures to be a big part of the rebuild there, even if the team doesn’t want to call it that. Trading Roccaro (and only Roccaro) to Angel City for draft protection looks like a steal in comparison to what Chicago gave up, although then it doesn’t look like enough when you see what the Thorns got in their trade with Angel City. — JK |
OL Reign moves
Nikki Stanton acquired in trade with Chicago Red Stars.
Waived: Miranda Nild, Shirley Cruz and Rosie White.
Steph Cox officially announces her retirement from professional soccer.
New Contract Offer Extended: Lauren Barnes, Tziarra King, Ella Dederick and Jess Fishlock.
Options Exercised: Maddison Hammond, Nikki Stanton and Cosette Morché.
Phoebe McClernon acquired via trade with the Orlando Pride; Pride will receive Celia Jimenez Delgado and Leah Pruitt.
Draft Picks: Zsanett Kajan, Claudia Dickey, Ryanne Brown, Kaile Halvorsen, Olivia Van der Jagt and Marley Canales.
OL Reign acquire the rights to Alyssa Malonson from the North Carolina Courage, who was drafted by North Carolina last year but stayed with Auburn University for her fifth year of eligibility.
OL Reign acquires Veronica Latsko in a trade with Houston; Houston receives $30,000 in allocation money and OL’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Latsko then signed a two year deal, with a one-year option.
Phoebe McClernon signed to a two-year deal, with a club option for 2024. McClernon was acquired in a trade with Orlando.
Tziarra King signs through the 2023 season.
UCLA alum Olivia Athens signs a one-year contract, with a club option for 2023.
Jessica Fishlock re-signed on a two-year deal, with a club option for 2024.
Laurel Ivory, goalkeeper from the University of Virginia, has signed a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Amber Brooks waived.
Alyssa Malonson, Auburn University alum, signed on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Bethany Balcer re-signs on a three-year contract, with a club option for 2025.
Lauren Barnes re-signs on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Megan Rapinoe re-signs on a one-year deal.
Rose Lavelle re-signs on a two-year deal.
Sofia Huerta re-signs through the 2024 season.
Reign goalkeeper Cosette Morché permanently transferred to Grand Paris Seine Ouest 92 Issy in the French D1 Arkema.
Marley Canales signs a one-year contract through the 2022 season.
Analysis: Stanton in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft is a pretty good move. Stanton will add a some depth and bite to a Reign midfield expected to undergo significant changes this offseason. — DL // The longtime Reign players like Lauren Barnes, Megan Rapinoe and Jessica Fishlock re-signed on contracts, which was always suspected, but it’s the two-year deals for Tziarra King and Rose Lavelle and the three-year deals for Sofia Huerta and Bethany Balcer that are the head-turning deals. Those three players, among a handful of others, are the present and the future for OL Reign. It seems that, after years of being shuffled around the league, Huerta has found a home with the Reign, and has seen her game improve immensely. The pickup of Veronica Latsko adds some depth, too, especially when a handful of those players aforementioned are gone on international duty. — RK |
Orlando Pride moves
Jodie Taylor traded for San Diego’s 2023 second-round NWSL Draft pick OR San Diego’s 2023 third-round NWSL Draft pick OR allocation money.
Pride acquire $50,000 in allocation money, Gotham’s first-round selection in the 2022 NWSL Draft and a natural third-round pick in the 2023 draft.
Contracts Exercised: Marta, Erika Tymrak, Viviana Villacorta, Chelsee Washington, Carrie Lawrence, Courtney Petersen, Toni Pressley, Erin McLeod and Brittany Wilson.
Under Contract in 2022: Abi Kim, Sydney Leroux, Gunny Jónsdóttir, Marisa Viggiano, Phoebe McClernon, Amy Turner and Kylie Strom.
New Contract Offer Extended: Meggie Dougherty Howard, Taylor Kornieck, Jade Moore, Parker Roberts, Ali Riley and Kaylie Collins.
Players Not Returning: Konya Plummer and Crystal Thomas.
Pride receive $275,000 in allocation money and Angharad James from San Diego.
Orlando Pride acquire Leah Pruitt and Celia Jimenez Delgado from OL Reign via a draft-day trade.
Draft Picks: Mia Fishel, Caitlin Cosme, Julie Doyle and Jada Talley.
Darian Jenkins acquired in trade with Kansas City; Pride trade away their natural second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, along with $75,000 in allocation money.
Mia Fishel signs with Tigres Femenil of Liga MX Femenil.
Orlando acquires $125,000 in allocation money and San Diego’s natural second-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft; San Diego acquires Taylor Kornieck and the rights to Emily van Egmond.
Mikayla Cluff, who was drafted in the 2021 NWSL Draft, signs a two-year deal with the Pride.
Ali Riley traded to Angel City FC; Pride acquires $15,000 in allocation money and Angel City’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Julie Doyle, forward from Santa Clara, signed to a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Orlando acquires Megan Montefusco (nee Oyster), $30,000 in allocation money and OL Reign’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft (which was acquired in a previous trade) from the Houston Dash; Orlando sends Marisa Viggiano to Houston.
Orlando signs 2020 NWSL Draft pick Kerry Abello of Penn State to a two-year contract.
Draft pick Caitlin Cosme signed to a two-year contract.
Orlando signs goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse to a two-year contract, via a transfer from French D1 Féminine side Bordeaux. Allocation money was used in the transfer, according to the Pride.
Meggie Dougherty Howard and Kaylie Collins re-sign with the Orlando Pride on a one-year deal.
Analysis: Taylor continues to be well-traveled around the NWSL yet teams continue to reap assets for her services. The Pride are the latest, adding a second rounder and more for the English international. The final asset moving back to Orlando in this one will depend on how many games Taylor plays for San Diego. — DL | Trading away Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger, along with the reported impending trade of Alex Morgan to San Diego, signals an actual, full-on smacking of the factory reset button in Orlando, something they should have done at least a year ago but either wouldn’t or couldn’t. — JK |
Portland Thorns FC moves
Thorns acquire expansion draft protection from ACFC, $100K in allocation money, and Angel City’s natural second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
Contracts Exercised: Hannah Betfort, Shelby Hogan, Meaghan Nally, Madison Pogarch, Abby Smith, and Morgan Weaver.
Under Contracts in 2022: Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan, Emily Menges, Olivia Moultrie, Natalia Kuikka, Rocky Rodriguez, and Yazmeen Ryan.
New Contract Offer Extended: Bella Bixby, Celeste Boureille, Marissa Everett, Kelli Hubbly, Meghan Klingenberg, Angela Salem, and Christen Westphal.
Not Returning: Taylor Porter.
Christen Westphal and Amirah Ali traded to San Diego; Portland received Expansion Draft protection and $50,000 in allocation money.
Draft Picks: Sydny Nasello, Gabby Provenzano and Natalie Beckman.
Bella Bixby re-signs on a three-year contract.
Sam Coffey signs a two-year contract.
Kelli Hubly re-signs on a two-year deal.
Portland signs Japanese international Hina Sugita to a three-year contract.
Lindsey Horan joins Olympique Lyonnais on an 18-month loan, through June 2023. In addition, she has re-signed with Portland on a contract through 2025.
Christine Sinclair re-signed on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Angela Salem announces her retirement from professional soccer.
Marissa Everett re-signs on a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Becky Sauerbrunn signs a one-year contract extension.
Meghan Klingenberg re-signs on a two-year deal, with a club option for 2024.
Sophia Smith re-signed on a three-year contract, through the 2024 season.
Analysis: The Thorns made out well in the trade with Angel City FC, securing expansion-draft protection from them, $100,000 in allocation money and a second-round pick in next week’s draft to part with Simone Charley (a starting-quality forward but someone who is stuck behind Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver in the depth chart) and Tyler Lussi (a solid role player further down the depth chart in Portland). That’s a good deal for the Thorns, though they still need to navigate the San Diego side of the draft. — JK |
Racing Louisville moves
Racing Louisville acquires Angel City FC’s first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, $75K in allocation money and full roster protection from Angel City in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft; traded Christen Press’ rights to ACFC.
Options Exercised: Lauren Milliet, Freja Olofsson, Taylor Otto and Savannah McCaskill.
Not Returning in 2022: Michelle Betos, Shelby Money, Brooke Hendrix, Sinclaire Miramontez, Jorian Baucom, Vanessa Kara and Katie McClure.
Jessica McDonald acquired in trade with North Carolina Courage.
Savannah McCaskill traded to Angel City FC; Racing receives the No. 6 pick in the NWSL Draft along with $25,000 in allocation money.
Draft Picks: Jaelin Howell, Savannah DeMelo, Charme Morgan, Jordyn Bloomer, Jenna Menta and Sydney Cummings.
Kirsten Davis — 2021 NWSL Draft picks — signed to a two-year deal with an option for the 2024.
Katie Lund re-signs on a two-year contract; Addisyn Merrick and Erin Sign one-year extensions, with a club option for 2023.
Yuki Nagasato traded to Chicago Red Stars; Louisville receive one international slot each in 2022 and 2023, along with Chicago’s natural third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Jessica McDonald signed on a two-year contract.
Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer signed to a one-year contract, with a club option for 2023.
Hillary Beall signs a one-year deal, with a club option for 2023.
Sh’Nia Gordon signed to a two-year deal. Joined from CSKA Moscow, as FIFA has ruled that foreign players and coaches may terminate their contract with no penalty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Julia Lester has signed with Racing Louisville on a two-year contract, with a club option for 2024, after being on the Discovery List and joining from Apollon Ladies FC in Cyprus.
Rebecca Holloway signs on a two-year deal after Racing Louisville paid for her transfer from Birmingham City in England.
Analysis: The Christen Press deal happened in August, and was a pretty good return for Louisville, particularly in light of some other negotiations going on. — JK // Sh’Nia Gordon is going to provide some depth up front, especially with Cheyna Matthews being on maternity leave and some players being gone on international duty this summer. Katie Lund re-signed on a two-year contract, giving new head coach Kim Björkegren and fans the belief that she will be the No. 1 in between the sticks after a promising 2021 campaign. The acquisition of Jessica McDonald was unexpected, but a positive surprise for Louisville fans. She’ll be a good mentor to the younger players and her goal-scoring attack will put opposing defenses on notice. — RK |
San Diego Wave FC moves
Abby Dahlkemper traded to San Diego from North Carolina Courage.
Katie Johnson, Makenzy Doniak and Kelsey Turnbow acquired in trade with Chicago Red Stars.
Jodie Taylor acquired in a trade with the Orlando Pride.
Tegan McGrady acquired in a trade with the Washington Spirit.
Kailen Sheridan acquired in trade with Gotham FC.
Angharad James acquired in trade with North Carolina Courage.
Expansion Draft picks: Kristen McNabb, Kaleigh Riehl and Kristie Mewis (who was traded to Gotham FC for $200,000 in allocation money).
San Diego officially acquires Alex Morgan from Orlando Pride; trades Angharad James to Orlando and Pride receive $275,000 in allocation money.
Christen Westphal and Amirah Ali acquired via trade with Portland.
Draft Picks: Naomi Girma, Marleen Schimmer, Sydney Pulver, Belle Briede and Kayla Bruster.
Acquired the rights to Swedish attacker Sofia Jakobsson via a transfer with Bayern Munich.
San Diego acquires Taylor Kornieck and the rights to Emily van Egmond; Orlando acquires $125,000 in allocation money and San Diego’s natural second-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
San Diego acquires Carly Telford off a transfer from Chelsea FC, pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa.
Analysis: Tegan McGrady joins Abby Dahlkemper as a starter on the back line, and the Wave also got a first-round pick and an international spot from Washington for McGrady, in exchange for roster protection. That seems like a pretty good deal for both teams, although the Spirit still have to worry about who to protect from Angel City. Kelsey Turnbow is the most exciting offensive acquisition so far. She is wrapping up her college career with Santa Clara and has a lot of potential. Add goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to the mix, and this team is already looking solid defensively. — JK |
Washington Spirit moves
Tegan McGrady traded to San Diego.
Washington receives $30,000 in allocation money and allocated player protection in the 2022 Expansion Draft from Angel City FC.
Waived: Chineylu Asher, Cali Farquharson, and Mariana Speckmaier.
Under Contract for 2022: Tara McKeown, Trinity Rodman, Anna Heilferty, Sydney Schneider, Emily Sonnett, Andi Sullivan, Aubrey Bledsoe, Ashley Sanchez, Dorian Bailey, Averie Collins, Jordan DiBiasi, Bayley Feist, Ashley Hatch, Tori Huster, Paige Nielsen, Julia Roddar, Sam Staab, Saori Takarada, Kumi Yokoyama, and Kelley O’Hara.
Contract Options Exercised: Camryn Biegalski, Devon Kerr, and Karina Rodriguez.
New Contract Offer Extended: Morgan Goff and Taylor Aylmer.
Draft Picks: Tinaya Alexander, Madison Elwell, Lucy Shepherd, Audrey Harding and Jordan Thompson.
Gaby Vincent acquired via a trade with Kansas City; the Current receive Washington’s natural fourth round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and $25,000 in allocation money.
Ashley Hatch re-signs on a two-year deal, with an option for 2024.
Washington transfers Saori Takarada to Linköping FC in Sweden.
Nicole Barnhart signed on a one-year deal.
Trinity Rodman signs three-year contract extension with Washington, with a club option for 2025.
Kumi Yokoyama traded to NJ/NY Gotham FC; Washington receives Gotham’s natural fourth-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Kelley O’Hara re-signed on a one-year contract.
Amber Brooks signs a one-year contract.
Washington hires former professional soccer player Angela Salem as an assistant coach.
Analysis: The Spirit also sent first-round pick (originally OL Reign’s) and allocation money to the Wave in exchange for being exempt from losing anyone to the Wave in the expansion draft. That seems like a lot to give up especially with Angel City still looming to pluck a player. But compared to what the Red Stars sent Angel City a day later, it’s a relative pittance. It does allow the Spirit to at least partially control the narrative on the expansion draft. — DL | The deal I’d reported I heard before the deadline was finally announced on Monday: the Spirit have partial protection from Angel City; only U.S. federation players Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnett and Andi Sullivan are protected, so Angel City can still take an important player from the Spirit’s championship-winning team. Washington gave up the rights to MA Vignola. |