NWSL Enacts HIP Despite Oppostion
Volume 02 | Issue 10 | December 2025
NWSL Enacts HIP Despite NWSLPA Opposition
The NWSL announced on December 23 that it would move forward with the High Impact Player (HIP) compensation mechanism, effective July 1, 2026, despite opposition from the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA).
Per the new mechanism, each NWSL club may pay up to $1 million over its salary cap for a player deemed to be high impact, with the available payment increasing each year in line with the league’s salary cap.
“The High Impact Player Rule allows teams to invest strategically in top talent, strengthens our ability to retain star players, and demonstrates our commitment to building world-class rosters for fans across the league,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in the league’s press release.
Teams will be able to sign high impact players immediately, so long as the terms of the agreement do not necessitate clubs to utilize the rule until the July effective date.
A high impact player is defined as a player who meets at least one of the following criteria (# indicates within how many years prior to the current NWSL season that the accomplishment must occur):
Named as a SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes (1)
Selected in the Top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting (2)
Selected in the Top 40 of the Guardian Top 100 football players in the world (2)
Earned the top 11 minutes played for the USWNT for field players for all competitions (2 calendar years)
Earned the top one minutes played for the USWNT for goalkeepers for all competitions (2 calendar years)
Selected as NWSL MVP Finalist (2)
Named to the End of Year NWSL Best XI First Team (2)
The NWSLPA responded with a statement on social media.
“The NWSL Players Association opposes the league’s decision to move forward without bargaining over the high impact player rule,” said the NWSLPA.
“The league’s unilateral action leaves the NWSLPA no choice but to take action to enforce the rights of the players we represent.”
Numerous NWSL supporters’ groups across the league shared their support for the NWSLPA’s opposition, encouraging fans to
Block the NWSL’s accounts on social media
Boycott the NWSL shop, and
Notify their local teams of their opposition to the HIP rule
“The criteria for HIP status put forth by the league are arbitrary and unjust, largely leaving the earning potential of NWSL players in the hands of media members,” said the posted statement by a majority of active supporters’ groups.
“Moreover, the HIP rule creates two tiers of players, will impact USWNT player development, and does not account for international player success.”
The debate over a salary cap increase in the league stemmed from the NWSL's recent rejection of a proposed contract between the Washington Spirit and Trinity Rodman earlier in December.
The Spirit moved to offer Rodman a four-year contract structured on a sliding scale that is valued at over $1 million annually on average, according to reporting by Bloomberg and The Athletic.
The NWSL rejected the deal.
“When we (...) pressed (...) the league office for a response (...) as to the reasoning why they would reject it, as to which rule it violated, (...) the answer is (...) there isn’t any rule that it violated,” said Rodman’s agent, Mike Senkowski, in an interview with CBS Mornings.
“It’s against the spirit of the rules.”
The NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) responded by filing a grievance against the league on Rodman’s behalf, arguing that the deal adheres to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NWSL and the NWSLPA.
There is no player-specific salary limit in the CBA, though there is a salary cap for teams as a whole.
The NWSL’s Board of Governors then approved a new HIP mechanism that would allow the league to compensate select players above the existing salary cap, according to reporting by ESPN.
The NWSLPA responded to the HIP proposal, countering with its own proposal to increase the player salary cap by $1 million across the league.
Despite the NWSLPA’s opposition, the league moved forward to put the new HIP mechanism in place.
Rodman’s contract with the Spirit expired on December 31, 2025.
Photo credit: Washington Spirit
NWSL Roster Decisions and Contract Updates
NWSL clubs released roster decisions after the end of the 2025 season, followed by a string of player movements and contract announcements across the league.
Angel City FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (2): Angelina Anderson, Hannah Seabert
Defenders (6): Sara Doorsoun, Sarah Gorden, Savy King, Sophia Mattice, Evelyn Shores, Gisele Thompson
Midfielders (7): Jun Endo, Kennedy Fuller, Macey Hodge, Nealy Martin, Lily Nabet (on loan with Gainbridge USL Super League Team Fort Lauderdale United FC), Maiara Niehues, Hina Sugita
Forwards (7): Prisca Chilufya, Claire Emslie, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Sydney Leroux, Maithe Lopez, Casey Phair (on loan with Djurgårdens IF), Riley Tiernan
Martin extended her contract with Angel City through the end of the 2027 season, adding a one-year extension to her previous agreement.
Contracts expired and moved into free agency:
Goalkeeper: Hannah Stambaugh
Defenders: Elizabeth Eddy, Miyabi Moriya (signed with Utah Royals FC), Megan Reid (signed with Denver Summit FC)
Midfielder: Madison Hammond (signed with Utah Royals FC)
Bay FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (2): Emmie Allen, Jordan Silkowitz
Defenders (8): Joelle Anderson, Sydney Collins, Abby Dahlkemper (ML), Caprice Dydasco, Kelli Hubly, Alyssa Malonson, Emily Menges (ML), Maddie Moreau
Midfielders (6): Dorian Bailey, Hannah Bebar, Tess Boade, Caroline Conti, Taylor Huff, Jamie Shepherd
Forwards (4): Onyeka Gamero (SEI – knee), Penelope Hocking, Racheal Kundananji, Karlie Lema
SEI = Season-Ending Injury
ML = Maternity Leave
Defender Brooklyn Courtnall signed with Bay FC after playing on loan with the club from the North Carolina Courage in the middle of the 2025 season.
Defender Heather Gilchrist signed with Bay FC on a three-year contract through 2028. Gilchrist joins Bay after her four-year college career playing for Florida State University.
Contracts expired and moved into free agency:
Goalkeepers: Leah Freeman, Melissa Lowder
Defenders: Jordan Brewster, Kiki Pickett
Midfielder: Catherine Paulson
Forward: Rachel Hill
Chicago Stars FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (2): Halle Mackiewicz, Mackenzie Wood (D45)
Defenders (6): Hannah Anderson, Samantha Angel, Kathrin Hendrich, Natalia Kuikka, Taylor Malham, Sam Staab
Midfielders (5): Bea Franklin, Julia Grosso, Manaka Hayashi, Maitane, Leilanni Nesbeth
Forwards (6): Jenna Bike, Ivonne Chacón, Micayla Johnson, Jameese Joseph, Ludmila, Mallory Swanson (ML)
D45 = 45-day disabled
ML = Maternity leave
Brianna Pinto signed a two-year contract with the Stars through the 2027 season after her contract with the Courage expired this year.
Ryan Gareis joins the Stars on a three-year contract through the 2028 season. Gareis most recently played with the Houston Dash.
Goalkeeper and captain Alyssa Naeher re-signed with the Stars through the 2026 season.
Defender Katie Lund signed a three-year contract with the Stars, placing her with the club through the 2028 season.
Forward Nádia Gomes re-signed with the Stars on a single-year agreement through the 2026 season.
Defender Michelle Alozie was traded to Chicago from the Houston Dash in exchange for $40,000 in allocation money to the Dash. Alozie signed a three-year agreement, placing her in the Windy City through the end of the 2028 season.
Contracts expired and moved into free agency:
Goalkeepers: Stephanie Sparkowski, Alyssa Naeher (re-signed with the Stars)
Defenders: Camryn Biegalski (signed with Denver Summit FC)
Midfielders: Meg Boade, Shea Groom, Cari Roccaro
Forwards: Ally Schlegel (signed with North Carolina Courage), Ava Cook, Nádia Gomes (re-signed with the Stars)
Houston Dash
Goalkeeper Hillary Beall joins the Houston Dash on a 2-year contract through the 2027 season. Beall recently played with the San Diego Wave FC.
Defender Katie Lind announced her retirement from professional soccer, marking an end to her 10-year career.
Forward Evelina Duljan signed a new agreement with the Dash through the 2026 season with a team option for 2027.
Kansas City Current
Katie Scott and Mary Long both extended their contracts with the Current through the end of the 2027 season after joining the team at the beginning of 2025.
Midfielder Rocky Rodríguez signed a contract extension with Kansas City through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027.
Goalkeeper Marisa Jordan joins the Current in a trade from the North Carolina Courage. Jordan’s contract places her in Kansas City through 2027.
Defender Kolo Suliafu signed a one-year agreement with the club through the 2026 season. Suliafu joins the Current from the University of Washington.
Defender Laney Rouse enters the NWSL from the University of Virginia on a one-year contract through the 2026 season.
Defender Meila Brewer signed a three-year contract with the Current through the 2028 season. The 16-year-old US Youth National Team player will be one of the youngest players in the league.
Forward Gianna Paul signed with the Current from the University of Alabama. Paul joins the Current on a three-year contract through the 2028 season, with a team option for 2029.
Goalkeeper Laurel Ivory’s contract expired at the end of the year, moving Ivory into free agent status. Ivory signed with Boston Legacy FC.
Goalkeeper Tyler McCamey and defender Regan Steigleder entered free agency at the expiration of their contracts on December 31, 2025
Forward Alex Pfeiffer and the club have mutually terminated her contract
NJ/NY Gotham FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Ann-Katrin Berger, Ryan Campbell, Shelby Hogan
Defenders (7): Bruninha, Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson, Kayla Duran, Mandy Freeman, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders (8): Sofia Cook, Josefine Hasbo, Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle, Stella Nyamekye, Sarah Schupansky, Jaedyn Shaw, Taryn Torres
Forwards (6): Princess Ademiluyi, Esther González, Khyah Harper, Gabi Portilho, Katie Stengel, Mak Whitham
NWSL rookie and forward Talia Sommer signed with Gotham through the 2026 season.
Forward Midge Purce signed a new one-year agreement with Gotham after moving into free agency, keeping her with the team through the 2026 season.
Contracts expired and moved into free agency:
Forwards: Ella Stevens (signed with Boston Legacy FC), Midge Purce (re-signed with Gotham)
Contracts expiring at the conclusions of the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup (February 2026):
Defender: Kayla Duran
Forward: Katie Stengel
North Carolina Courage
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (1): Marisa Jordan
Defenders (7): Maycee Bell, Brooklyn Courtnall (on loan to Bay FC through 2025 calendar year), Natalie Jacobs, Feli Rauch, Sydney Schmidt, Natalia Staude, Ryan Williams
Midfielders (7): Riley Jackson, Shinomi Koyama, Manaka Matsukubo, Denise O’Sullivan, Oli Peña, Ashley Sanchez, Dani Weatherholt
Forwards (4): Hannah Betfort, Aline Gomes, Payton Linnehan, Cortnee Vine
Dani Weatherholt signed a one-year extension with the Courage through the 2026 season.
Riley Jackson and Maycee Bell both extended their agreements with the Courage through the 2028 season.
Ally Schlegel joins North Carolina on a three-year agreement through 2028. Schlegel was most recently with the Chicago Stars FC and moved into free agency at the end of the season.
Forward Lauryn Thompson signed a four-year agreement with the Courage through the 2029 season.
Goalkeeper Madison ‘Madi’ White signed a three-year contract with North Carolina, placing her with the club through the 2028 season.
Forward Chioma Okafor signed a three-year agreement through the 2028 season with the Courage, with a club option for 2029.
Contracts set to expire and move into free agency:
Goalkeepers: Katie Cappelletti, Casey Murphy (signed with Boston Legacy FC)
Defenders: Charlotte McLean, Kaleigh Kurtz (signed with Denver Summit FC)
Midfielders: Victoria Pickett, Brianna Pinto (signed with Chicago Stars FC), Meredith Speck
Forwards: Tyler Lussi, Heather MacNab, Olivia Wingate
Orlando Pride
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (4): Kat Asman (on loan with Lexington SC in USL Super League), McKinley Crone, Cosette Morché, Anna Moorhouse
Defenders (7): Kerry Abello, Zara Chavoshi, Cori Dyke, Oihane, Kylie Nadaner, Emily Sams, Rafaelle
Midfielders (7): Luana, Grace Chanda, Angelina, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon, Viviana Villacorta, Summer Yates
Forwards (5): Barbra Banda (SEI), Julie Doyle, Simone Jackson, Marta, Jacquie Ovalle
SEI = Season-ending injury
Hailie Mace inked a three-year agreement with the Pride through the end of the 2028 season. Mace moved into free agency at the end of the 2025 season and most recently played with the Kansas City Current.
Contracts expired/set to expire and move into free agency:
Defender: Bri Martinez, Carson Pickett (signed with Denver Summit FC)
Midfielders: Morgan Gautrat, Aryssa Mahrt
Forwards: Ally Watt (loan agreement expiring - signed with Denver Summit FC), Amanda Allen (signed with Boston Legacy FC), Mariana Larroquette, Elyse Bennett, Simone Charley
Portland Thorns FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Mackenzie Arnold, Bella Bixby, Morgan Messner
Defenders (8): Daiane, Sam Hiatt, Mallie McKenzie, Isabella Obaze, Jayden Perry, Reyna Reyes, M.A. Vignola, Marie Müller (SEI)
Midfielders (4): Deyna Castellanos, Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming, Olivia Moultrie
Forwards (9): Mimi Alidou, Valerin Loboa, Alexa Spaanstra, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner; Julie Dufour (SEI), Caiya Hanks (SEI), Morgan Weaver (SEI), Sophia Wilson
SEI = Season-ending injury
Forward Sophia Wilson exercised her player option to remain with Portland Thorns FC for the 2027 season. Wilson, who started her NWSL career with the Thorns in 2020, will return to the pitch in 2026 after being on maternity leave during the 2025 season.
Laila Harbert’s loan from Arsenal to the Thorns concluded at the end of the 2025 NWSL season.
Midfielder Shae Harvey signed a three-year agreement with Portland Thorns FC through the 2028 season, joining the NWSL from Stanford University.
Contracts expired and in free agency:
Defenders: Kaitlyn Torpey, Nicole Payne
Midfielders: Naomi Powell, Olivia Katoa
Racing Louisville FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (2): Jordyn Bloomer, Cristina Roque
Defenders (5): Ellie Jean, Lauren Milliet, Makenna Morris, Courtney Petersen, Arin Wright
Midfielders (5): Savannah DeMelo, Taylor Flint, Katie O’Kane, Marisa DiGrande, Avery Kalitta
Forwards (7): Milly Clegg, Kayla Fischer, Ella Hase, Emma Sears, Janine Sonis, Sarah Weber, Kirsten Wright
Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer signed a new three-year agreement with Racing, keeping the goalkeeper with the club through the 2028 season.
Midfielder Marisa DiGrande re-signed with Racing after entering free agency at the end of the 2025 season. DiGrande’s new contract keeps her with Louisville through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028.
Defender Lauren Milliet re-signed with Louisville through 2027 with an option for 2028.
Midfielder Avery Kalitta is returning to Racing with a new agreement placing her with the club through the 2026 season.
Forward Rachel Hill joins Racing Louisville FC on a two-year contract through the 2027 season. Hill recently entered free agency after two years with Bay FC.
Contracts expired and in free agency:
Goalkeepers: Katie Lund (signed with Chicago Stars FC), Madison White (signed with North Carolina Courage)
Defender: Allie George
Midfielder: Jordan Baggett (signed with Denver Summit FC)
Forwards: Bethany Balcer, Uchenna Kanu
San Diego Wave FC
Returning roster:
Defenders (7): Daniela Arias, Trinity Armstrong (SEI), Sintia Cabezas (on loan to Liga F club Levante UD), Kristen McNabb, Quincy McMahon, Perle Morroni, Kennedy Wesley
Midfielders (8): Kimmi Ascanio, Gia Corley, Kenza Dali, Laurina Fazer, Savannah McCaskill (SEI), Jordan Fusco, Melanie Barcenas
Forwards (4): Trinity Byars, Delphine Cascarin, Dudinha, Adriana Leon
SEI = Season-Ending Injury
Midfielder Jordan Fusco re-signed with the Wave on a two-year agreement that places her with the club through the 2027 season. Fusco will play on loan to the Tampa Bay Sun Football Club in the USL Super League through June 8, 2026.
Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan agreed to mutually part ways with San Diego Wave FC after being included on the initial returning roster for 2026. Sheridan joined the Wave for its inaugural season in 2022.
Defender Mimi Van Zanten signed a two-year agreement with the Wave through the 2027 season, with options for 2028 and 2029. Van Zanten joins the NWSL from Florida State University.
Midfielder Lia Godfrey joins the Wave from the University of Virginia. Godfrey signed through the 2027 season, with options for 2028 and 2029.
Midfielder Melanie Barcenas signed a new contract with San Diego, staying with the club through the 2026 season.
Contracts expired and in free agency:
Goalkeepers: Hillary Beall (signed with the Houston Dash), DiDi Haračić
Defenders: Nya Harrison, Hanna Lundkvist
Midfielder: Jordan Fusco
Forwards: Melanie Barcenas (re-signed with the Wave), Kyra Carusa, Mya Jones, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Makenzy Robbe
The club reports it is in discussions with the following players for the 2026 season: Nya Harrison, DiDi Haračić, and Hanna Lundkvist.
Seattle Reign FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (4): Claudia Dickey, Cassie Miller (SEI), Maddie Prohaska, Neeku Purcell
Defenders (7): Ryanne Brown, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry, Shae Holmes, Sofia Huerta, Emily Mason, Phoebe McClernon
Midfielders (6): Jess Fishlock, Angharad James-Turner, Ainsley McCammon, Sally Menti, Maddie Mercado, Sam Meza
Forwards (6): Emeri Adames, Lynn Biyendolo (ML), Maddie Dahlien, Mia Fishel, Jordyn Huitema, Nérilia Mondesir
SEI = Season-Ending Injury
ML = Maternity Leave
Midfielder Sofia Cedeno signed with the Seattle Reign through the 2028 season. Cedeno most recently played with Halifax Tides FC of the Northern Super League in Canada and has been called up to training camp with the U-20 U.S. Women’s National Team.
The Reign also signed a new contract with goalkeeper Neeku Purcell through the 2026 season.
Contracts set to expire and move into free agency:
Defenders: Julia Lester (on loan to Sporting JAX in the USL Super League)
Midfielder: Ji So-Yun (on loan to Birmingham City in the WSL 2), Mikayla Cluff, Olivia Van der Jagt (contract mutually terminated)
Forward: Ana-Maria Crnogorčević
Utah Royals FC
Returning roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Mandy McGlynn, Mia Justus, DeAira Jackson
Defenders (5): Kate Del Fava, Kaleigh Riehl, Nuria Rábano, Tatumn Milazzo, Janni Thomsen
Midfielders (3): Ana Tejada, Alex Loera, Aria Nagai
Forwards (7): Cloé Lacasse, Brecken Mozingo, KK Ream, Paige Monaghan, Lara Prašnikar, Mina Tanaka, Cece Kizer
Midfielder Madison Hammond signed a two-year contract with the Utah Royals through the end of the 2027 season.
Defender Miyabi Moriya signed a single-year deal with the Royals through the 2026 season. Moriya’s contract was salary-cap exempt. NWSL teams are permitted to sign four short-term, salary-cap exempt players to their rosters.
Hammond and Moriya both join the Royals from Angel City FC.
Forward Aisha Solórzano and the club mutually terminated her contract after being initially included in the 2026 returning roster.
Goalkeeper DeAira Jackson and midfielder Aria Nagai signed new contracts with the Royals. Both Jackson’s and Nagai’s contracts were salary cap-exempt for the 2026 NWSL season.
Forward Courtney Brown signed with the Utah Royals FC on a single-year agreement through the 2026 season. Brown most recently played for the Washington Spirit and recently entered free agency.
Contracts expired and in free agency:
Goalkeeper: DeAira Jackson (re-signed with the Royals)
Defenders: Madison Pogarch, Imani Dorsey, Lauren Flynn, Olivia Griffitts, Lauren Gogal
Midfielders: Claudia Zornoza, Aria Nagai (re-signed with the Royals), Abby Boyan, Dana Foederer, Emily Gray
Forward: Bianca St-Georges
The club notes it is in discussions with Flynn and additional free agents within the league.
Washington Spirit
Defender Gabby Carle signed a new agreement with the Washington Spirit through the 2029 season. Carle originally joined the Spirit in 2023.
Defender Lucia Di Guglielmo joins the Spirit on a three-year agreement through 2028, with a club option for 2029. Di Guglielmo most recently played at AS Roma of Serie A in Italy.
Photo credit: Chicago Stars FC
2026 NWSL Expansion Team Rosters
Denver Summit FC
Rob Cohen, owner of Denver Summit FC, stated at a recent press conference that the club has signed 19 players to its inaugural roster. The club announced nine players so far.
Goalkeeper: Abby Smith
Defenders: Megan Reid, Kaleigh Kurtz, Camryn Biegalski, Carson Pickett
Midfielder: Lourdes Bosch, Jordan Baggett
Forwards: Ally Watt, Nahikari García
Goalkeeper Abby Smith signed a two-year agreement with the Summit through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028. Smith joins Denver from the Houston Dash and has won two NWSL Championships (with the Portland Thorns FC in 2022 and NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2023).
Midfielder Jordan Baggett signed a single-year contract with the Summit through the 2026 season.
Defender Camryn Biegalski agreed to a one-year deal through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027.
Defender Carson Pickett signed a multi-year deal with Denver Summit FC through the 2027 season. Pickett most recently played for the Orlando Pride.
Boston Legacy FC
Boston Legacy FC has announced 16 players so far.
Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy, Laurel Ivory
Defenders: Emerson Elgin, Laurel Ansbrow
Midfielders: Laís Araújo, Sophia Lowenberg (and center back), Chloe Ricketts, Barbara Olivieri (and forward), Aleigh Gambone, Alba Caño, Annie Karich
Forwards: Amanda Gutierres, Aïssata Traoré, Ella Stevens, Amanda Allen, Sammy Smith
Midfielder Laís Araújo joins Boston on a one-year contract with a club option for 2027. Araújo most recently played for S.L. Benfica in Portugal.
Midfielder Sophia Lowenberg signed a two-year agreement with a club option for 2028. Lowenberg joins Boston after playing four years for Boston College.
Goalkeeper Casey Murphy contracted with the Legacy on a four-year agreement through the 2029 season with a mutual option for 2030.
Goalkeeper Laurel Ivory joins the Legacy from the Kansas City Current on a two-year contract.
Forward Ella Stevens signed a two-year agreement with a mutual option for renewal. Stevens joins Boston from NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Forward Amanda Allen signed a two-year agreement with Boston Legacy FC, with a club option to renew. Allen was most recently with the Orlando Pride and on loan with Halifax Tides FC in the Canadian Northern Super League.
Forward Sammy Smith signed with the Legacy on a two-year contract, joining the expansion team from Breiðablik in Iceland.
Photo credit: Adobe
Summit Stadium Approved at Santa Fe Yards
The Denver City Council approved Denver Summit FC’s proposal to move forward with a purpose-built stadium in Santa Fe Yards near downtown.
Concerns arose over the stadium's location after the council sought clarity on the allocation of funds for the project.
The new 14,500-seat stadium will be the first purpose-built professional women’s sports stadium in Colorado. It is expected to be ready for the 2028 NWSL season.
Wave Wins World Sevens
San Diego Wave FC won the World Sevens Football (W7F) tournament and a $2 million prize.
The Wave advanced undefeated through the tournament and claimed its final victory over Tigres from Mexico, defeating former teammate Maria Sánchez in the final.
Coachella Valley Invitational Releases Schedule
The Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI) released the schedule for its upcoming competition in February 2026.
Participating NWSL teams will play on February 15, with the majority of teams playing again on February 21.
The eight NWSL clubs playing in the event include
Angel City FC
Bay FC
Denver Summit FC
Houston Dash
Portland Thorns FC
San Diego Wave FC
Seattle Reign FC
Utah Royals FC
Denver’s match on February 15 against the Royals will mark the expansion team's first competition.
NWSL Hosts Inaugural Combines
The inaugural NWSL Combines took place in December, showcasing top players from the U13 to the U23 fields in a centralized forum for league scouting.
The event was divided into two groups:
The NWSL Combine for players U18 through U23, with a focus on collegiate and post-collegiate players to have direct engagement with NWSL teams
The Youth Combine for players U13 through U17, offering an avenue to identify young talent and prepare players for a transition to higher playing opportunities
This year’s event focused on highlighting participants’ speed, power, and movement efficiency.
Photo credit: Adobe
USWNT Face Chile in January
US Soccer announced the USWNT will face Chile at the end of its first training camp of the year on January 27 at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California.
The match is the second of two for the camp, with the US competing against Paraguay on January 24.
“This is the start of an important year for our team and as always, we’re focused on maximizing every minute we get with the players,” said Emma Hayes, USWNT Head Coach.
The camp will start on January 17 and end with the match against Chile.
USWNT vs Paraguay
Saturday, January 24
3:30 PM MT
Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California
TNT, truTV, and HBO Max (English)
Universo and Peacock (Spanish)
USWNT vs Chile
Tuesday, January 27
8 PM MT
Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California
TBS and HBO Max (English)
Universo and Peacock (Spanish)
FIFA Women’s Club World Cup 2028 Dates Announced
FIFA announced the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup to be played from January 5 through January 30 in 2028.
The 16-team tournament will be structured into a group stage with four groups, followed by knockout stages starting with the quarterfinal matches.
Clubs competing in the inaugural cup will include five teams from Europe and two teams each from Asia, Africa, Concacaf, South America, and Oceania.
The association has not yet announced which country will host the competition.
Photo credit: Adobe
Want more Women’s Soccer Wire? Select an issue below to read more.