NWSL

Biggest preseason Roster question for NWSL Teams

- by Tim Antoniewicz

After signing a historic CBA, the NWSL preseason began as scheduled over a month ago. Teams released updated preseason rosters that continue to shorten heading into the Challenge Cup. Following an offseason of unprecedented player movement, teams look very different in 2022. The NWSL is a deep league, so teams have talent at every positional group. However, some positional groups do not have the same depth due to injury or offseason departures. Beyond Women’s Sports identified one preseason roster question for each NWSL team.

Angel City FC – Defender

Angel City entered the preseason with only six defenders, which is much lower than usual. They since bolstered the group with non-rostered invitees. Even though the quantity is low, the quality is high. Sarah Gorden, Paige Nielsen, and Ali Riley are respected NWSL veterans. Vanessa Gilles is an incredible up-and-coming prospect. MA Vignola and Allyson Swaby excelled the past few seasons in Iceland and Italy, respectively. However, defender is Angel City’s biggest preseason roster question due to injury.

Claire Watkins of Equalizer Soccer reported that Gorden and Nielsen will miss time due to injury. The exact time frame remains uncertain, but losing both players hurts Angel City’s defense.

Down to four remaining defenders, look for the club to either sign another or use other players in defensive roles. For example, midfielders Cari Roccaro and Dani Weatherholt can fill in at center back. While not her best position, forward Jasmyne Spencer received minutes last season at right back for Houston. If Angel City took the field today, expect the starting back line to have Gilles and Swaby at center back with Vignola and Riley on the outsides.

Chicago Red Stars – Forward

Last season, Chicago’s starting front three comprised of Mallory Pugh, Kealia Watt, and Rachel Hill. An argument could also be made for “own goal.” Occasionally Katie Johnson or Makenzy Doniak received starts, but both departed for San Diego along with the playing rights for rookie forward Kelsey Turnbow. Breaking down who is left and healthy leads to the biggest preseason roster question for the Red Stars.

Mallory Pugh continues to drive this offense, but she cannot do it alone. Pugh will be without her partner in crime, Kealia Watt. Watt suffered an ACL tear in last season’s semifinals, so she will miss much if not all of 2022. Forward Sarah Luebbert extended her loan with Liga MX Femenil side Club América in Mexico City.

Due to these absences, only three more veteran forwards remain. Rachel Hill is a high work rate player with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Alyssa Mautz received late minutes to close out games last season but did not offer the spark to contribute more. Yuki Nagasato returns to the club. She hopes to regain her 2019 form, where she leads the league in assists. However, neither of these three should be relied on as a major goalscorer.

Chicago’s scoring hopes fall to the rookies. Madison Haley is the biggest name, but her contract status is unclear. She has not yet reported to camp and missed significant time at Stanford last season with an injury. Jill Aguilera is the best of the rest. Last season, her nine goals more than doubled the rest of her Arizona team combined. If Chicago stays with a front three, Hill and Aguilera appear the most likely to start with Pugh.

Houston Dash – Defender

While the Dash list six defenders on the preseason roster, only five are under contract. After losing Megan Montefusco and Abby Dahlkemper, the team needs a center back to pair with Katie Naughton. The rumored NWSL return of Ally Prisock from France would immediately solve this problem, but the club has not confirmed this.

For now, Houston has three options. The Dash acquired Julia Ashley this offseason from Louisville. The versatile defender projects as a depth piece based on recent performances. The second option is Annika Schmidt. Schmidt did not see the field in 2021 after showing potential last preseason. Schmidt received the starting nod in the Dash’s preseason match in Mexico City against Liga MX Femenil side Pumas Femenil. She performed as well as expected and scored the lone goal. The third option is to drop defensive midfielder Sophie Schmidt to center back. While a good backup option, the retirement of Gabby Seiler indicates a greater need for Schmidt to stay in the midfield.

Moving wide, the Dash do not have outside back depth behind lock starters Allysha Chapman and Haley Hanson. Houston used forwards as outside back depth in 2021, which clearly is not a long-term solution. Ashley can be a depth player but will not push for a starting role. In the preseason friendly in Mexico, midfielder Hannah Diaz started at right back. She looked uncomfortable in the role and likely will not receive time there in the regular season. Unless Prisock returns, expect Houston’s primary back four to be Hanson, Annika Schmidt, Naughton, and Chapman.

Kansas City Current – Forward

The Current lost several key forward pieces this offseason. The remaining group is small and top-heavy. Kristen Hamilton and Lynn Williams will be the two starting forwards. They are familiar teammates from many seasons together in North Carolina. They started a recent preseason match against Orlando in a two-front system.

After the pair is where the preseason roster question lies, with only four contracted forwards in their most recent roster update and Michele Vasconcelos still on loan, first off the bench will likely be draftee Elyse Bennett. Taken in the first round, she offers energy and creative ability up top. The only other rostered forward is veteran Jaycie Johnson. Johnson could see late-game minutes but will primarily be a practice player.

The remaining forward play will come from other areas of the roster. Defenders Hailie Mace and Mallory Weber both can play forward. Versatile midfielder Kristen Edmonds can also play forward, center back, or outside back. If the Current uses a two-front system, wing play will also come from attacking midfielders drifting wide. Canadian National Team member Victoria Pickett is a perfect example of such a player. Overall, Hamilton and Williams will get most of the starts with other players filling in as needed.

NJ/NY Gotham FC – Goalkeeper

Aside from the Washington Spirit, Gotham are one of the most complete sides heading into 2022. Therefore, Gotham’s biggest preseason roster question is not about who will take the field but who will be left on the bench.

Gotham rostered four goalkeepers last season. None are on the current roster. Starter Kailen Sheridan left for San Diego. Primary backup DiDi Haracic is now at Angel City. Future talent Mandy McGlynn pursued starting minutes in Sweden with Piteå IF. The club declined the option for Megan Hinz.

To fill the void, Gotham brought in three talented replacements. Ashlyn Harris needs no introduction as one of the greatest NWSL goalkeepers of all time. Veteran Michelle Betos is more than capable of anchoring a team all season. Finally, draftee Hensley Hancuff out of Clemson, towers in goal at 6’3 and has the talent to back it up. Hancuff will likely not see time for a year or two but will be the number one in a few seasons.

Head coach Scott Parkinson has a tough choice ahead. Harris is the goalkeeper fans pay to see, but Betos will not give up without a fight. Betos is from the area, so the opportunity to play in front of her family may be the extra motivation she needs to overtake Harris. Expect Harris to start most matches, but Betos will see time in 2022.

North Carolina Courage – Forward

The Courage lost forwards Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald, Kristen Hamilton, and Amy Rodriguez between last preseason and now. Those four played a majority of minutes at the position for the club in 2021. The club made some moves in an attempt to fill those holes. Head Coach Sean Nahas traded in his interim title at the end of last season, so the offense could also look different in 2022. Breaking down which players will fill which roles is the biggest preseason roster question for the Courage.

The only holdovers from last season are depth pieces, Brittany Ratcliffe and Rylee Baisden. Ratcliffe could push for a starting role, especially in times of injury or international absence. Baisden is primarily a practice player and will receive some late minutes. However, Nahas could experiment with how he deploys creative attacking midfielder Debinha. She usually plays forward for the Brazilian National Team. This would allow the team’s young attacking midfield prospects Brianna Pinto, Frankie Tagliaferri, and Emily Gray to get more game time.

In terms of newcomers, Brazilian Kerolin arrived from the Spanish side Madrid CFF. The young forward receives regular call-ups and forward minutes for the Brazilian National Team. Expect her to grab a starting role. Alongside Kerolin, Virginia product Diana Ordoñez projects to see significant action for the Courage. Declaring early, she has youth national team experience and scored 18 goals in 23 games last college season. Jorian Baucom rounds out the group. Claimed off waivers from Louisville, she inexplicably received fewer minutes in 2021 than her production warranted. If the team starts two forwards, expect Kerolin and Ordoñez to get the nod.

OL Reign – Goalkeeper

OL Reign primarily used two loaned goalkeepers in 2021. They started the season with Karen Bardsley on loan from Manchester City. They finished the season with Sarah Bouhaddi on loan from Olympique Lyonnais. Both goalkeepers returned to their parent clubs. Primary backup Ella Dederick is now with Houston. Therefore, the Reign’s biggest preseason roster question is who will be the go-to player in goal.

The most recent roster update lists three goalkeepers. The only returning player is Phallon Tullis-Joyce. After college in Miami, Tullis-Joyce spent about two seasons at the French side Stade de Reims. She made one brief appearance last season, but fans never got to see her abilities.

The remaining two goalkeepers are both rookies. Claudia Dickey arrives from UNC. She played in 80 matches for the Tar Heels with 147 saves and 34 goals conceded. Dickey also has significant youth national team experience, including time with current OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey. The other rookie is Laurel Ivory. Ivory amassed 100 starts at Virginia and recorded 194 saves with a 0.67 goal against average.

Expect all three goalkeepers to be in the mix during the preseason. However, as preseason and the Challenge Cup progress, the higher upside if the two rookies could see Tullis-Joyce in the third-string role. Dickey and Ivory are talented, but Dickey gets a slight edge due to her draft status and previous familiarity with Laura Harvey.

Orlando Pride – Defender

The Orlando defense will look different in 2022. Ali Krieger, Ali Riley, and Phoebe McClernon left for other NWSL clubs. The club acquired Megan Montefusco from Houston, and she will fill a starting center back role next to Amy Turner. The club has a great center back depth that can start in Toni Pressley and will develop draftee Caitlin Cosme.

Orlando’s biggest preseason roster question is figuring out who will start at right back opposite left back Courtney Petersen. In a recent friendly against Kansas City, Carrie Lawrence received the nod.

Lawrence flashed potential in the 2020 Fall Series but did not meaningfully contribute in 2021. While a great rotational piece, she is not the right back to take this team to the next level. Celia Jiménez Delgado arrived from OL Reign. Celia never became the high caliber outside back fans expected and tends to leak defensive mistakes. Kylie Strom was underwhelmed in 2021 with similar defensive lapses. Rookie Kerry Abello played in multiple defensive and midfield roles in college. She needs time to familiarize herself with one position.

A final option is to play midfielder Gunny Jónsdóttir at right back. She played the role multiple times last season and previously with the Utah Royals. Expect Lawrence to be the “best of the rest,” but if nobody steps up by the regular season, Jónsdóttir may find herself in the role.

Portland Thorns FC – Midfielder

The Thorns lost a lot in the midfield this offseason. Defensive midfielder Angela Salem retired. Lindsey Horan is currently on loan with Olympique Lyonnais. Crystal Dunn is pregnant. Although, at seven months along, she currently trains with the team.

Portland has one proven midfielder ready in the wings in Rocky Rodríguez, but they still need two others to start around Rodríguez and withdrawn central striker Christine Sinclair. So their biggest preseason roster question is to discover who can fill these roles.

In a previous Beyond Women’s Sports article, we broke down the potential impact of the new arrival Hina Sugita. The Japanese international can play in a defensive or box-to-box midfield role. However, look for the Thorns to rely on her international experience to step in immediately.

After Sugita, it is a three-horse race for the other starting position. Yazmeen Ryan showed promise late last season. Sixteen-year-old Olivia Moultrie performed adequately in limited minutes last season. Rookie Sam Coffey out of Penn State is a highly touted prospect who could crack the starting XI. All three can fill in a variety of midfield roles. Defensive midfield rookie Gabby Provenzano will see some minutes but will need a year to develop. Expect the initial midfield trio to be Rodríguez, Sugita, and Ryan. However, Coffey or Moultrie could surpass Ryan or, less likely, Sugita as the Challenge Cup progresses.

Racing Louisville FC – Defender

Racing Louisville conceded 40 goals in 24 regular-season games in 2021. The goalkeepers came up big with 111 regular-season saves, but Michelle Betos is no longer with the club. Defenders Kaleigh Riehl, Sinclaire Miramontez, and Julia Ashley also departed this offseason. Two of the four back line positions are locked in. If available, center back Gemma Bonner and left back Emily Fox will be the first names on the game day lineups. Louisville’s preseason roster question is to discover who best fills in around them.

After missing nearly all of 2021 with multiple injuries, Addisyn Merrick will start, if healthy. She excels equally in outside or central defense role. The club had high hopes for her last season, and she looks to have a breakout year. Another returning player is right back Erin Simon. Simon improved significantly in 2021 but still concedes costly mistakes on occasion. The only other returning defender is Nealy Martin. Injuries forced her into action more than the club expected in 2021. She can be a serviceable depth piece but should not be relied upon for regular starts.

The club drafted two defenders, Charmé Morgan and Sydney Cummings. Both players will need time to adjust to the speed of NWSL play but could be frequent contributors later this season. Expect the first choice back line to be Simon, Bonner, Merrick, and Fox.

San Diego Wave FC – Midfielder

San Diego compiled a well-balanced roster with talent at every position for an expansion side. Their preseason roster question is figuring out how to link it all together. This responsibility lies in the midfield. With head coach Casey Stoney approaching her first NWSL season, we do not know how the midfield will look. At Manchester United, she preferred a three central midfielder system allowing width to come from wide forwards. Stoney preferred one defensive-minded player, one pure creative player underneath the forwards, and one player who can contribute around both boxes.

The most likely candidate to fill the defensive midfielder role is Kristen McNabb. The NWSL veteran can play in the midfield or anywhere across the back line. She likes to make big tackles and has the passing vision required of the role.

After McNabb, the midfield becomes less predictable. One option is Taylor Kornieck. However, coaches seem unable to fit her raw talent into their schemes. A likely solution is Emily van Egmond. As one of the most globally underrated creative attacking midfielders, she will link nicely with forwards Alex Morgan and Sofia Jakobsson. Collegiate standout Kelsey Turnbow also fits this role. This past season, Turnbow recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 23 appearances, including five game-winning goals. Her youth national team and College Cup finals experiences indicate she can contribute immediately.

Draftees Belle Briede and Sydney Pulver will see depth minutes early but could push for more time as the season progresses. Taylor Porter offers veteran depth, spending time on multiple NWSL squads and in Serbia and Spain. Expect The starting three midfielders to be McNabb, van Egmond, and Turnbow.

Washington Spirit – Defender

The Spirit have one of the most well-balanced rosters in the NWSL. This offseason, center back Paige Nielsen left for Angel City, and left back Tegan McGrady went to San Diego. The team still has starting-caliber players across the back line even in their absence. The preseason roster question comes with the depth. Expect the usual starters to be Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnett, Sam Staab, and Julia Roddar. However, O’Hara, Sonnett, and Roddar regularly leave for international duty. The Spirit’s biggest preseason roster question is to figure out who can fill their roles.

Two center back options are Gaby Vincent and Amber Brooks. The Spirit brought in the veteran Brooks as a non-rostered invitee. She brings experience and versatility since she can also play in the midfield. She is currently not under contract but made the most recent roster cut. Vincent arrived via trade from Kansas City. She is a similar player to Brooks positionally. While Brooks has more experience, Vincent has more upside. Vincent offers better long-range distribution and speed.

The first player off the bench for outside back depth will be Camryn Biegalski. Acquired off waivers last preseason from Chicago, she received regular substitute minutes and occasional starts in 2021. She proved to be a reliable backup. Other options are Morgan Goff and Karina Rodriguez. Rodriguez also will miss international windows due to regular call-ups to the Mexican National Team. The Spirit will likely use midfielder Dorian Bailey as the first backup at left back as they have in the past.

The Challenge Cup Rapidly Approaches

The NWSL recently announced telecast details for the 2022 Challenge Cup. The first games kick off on March 18th. Follow Beyond Women’s Sports online or on Twitter to catch the analysis of all the action. You can also comment below or interact with the author on Twitter if you have questions or comments.

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About Tim Antoniewicz

Tim is a supporter of the NWSL, USWNT, and women's soccer/football/fútbol around the world.

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