2022 NWSL expansion draft

The 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft (formerly named the 2021 NWSL Expansion Draft^[1]) was an expansion draft held by the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) on December 16, 2021, for two expansion teams, Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC, to select players from existing teams in the league.^[2] Kansas City Current were exempt from the draft.^[3]

2022 NWSL Expansion Draft
General information
Sport	Soccer
Date(s)	December 16, 2021 (2021-12-16)
Time	7 p.m. EST
Location	Los Angeles, California
Network(s)	CBS Sports
Sponsored by	Ally
Overview
18 total selections in 1 rounds
League	National Women's Soccer League
Expansion teams	Angel City FC San Diego Wave FC
Expansion season	2022
← 2020 2024 →

Format

Each of the NWSL's current teams (with the exception of Kansas City Current, who were exempt from the draft) was allowed to protect nine players, including a maximum of one United States federation player.^[1] Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC were allowed to select one player from each team, for a total of nine players each. Per result of a coin flip, Angel City FC picked first.^[4]

Each of the NWSL's existing teams could lose no more than one United States federation player and no more than one player from each position group in total. Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC could select no more than one United States federation player in total.

Draft results

• Blue highlights indicate United States federation players
• Italics indicate players who are not under contract but whose NWSL playing rights remain with the team

Pick	Selecting team	Nat.	Player	Pos.	Previous team	Ref.
1	Angel City FC		Dani Weatherholt	MF	OL Reign	[5]
2	San Diego Wave FC		Kristie Mewis	MF	Houston Dash	[6]
3	Angel City FC		Claire Emslie	FW	Orlando Pride	[7]
4	San Diego Wave FC		Kristen McNabb	DF	OL Reign	[8]
5	Angel City FC		Jasmyne Spencer	FW	Houston Dash	[9]
6	San Diego Wave FC	PASS				[10]
7	Angel City FC		Paige Nielsen	DF	Washington Spirit	[11]
8	San Diego Wave FC	PASS				[12]
9	San Diego Wave FC		Kaleigh Riehl	DF	Racing Louisville FC	[13]

Protected lists by team

Besides Kansas City Current, who were already exempt from the draft per their expansion agreement with the league, the following teams traded for protection prior to December 10, 2021:

• On August 23, 2021, Racing Louisville FC traded for roster protection from Angel City FC.^[14]
• On December 1, Washington Spirit also traded for roster protection from San Diego Wave FC.^[15]
• On December 2, Chicago Red Stars traded for roster protection from both Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC.^[16]
• On December 4, NJ/NY Gotham FC traded for roster protection also from San Diego Wave FC.^[17]
• On December 6, Washington Spirit traded for federation player protection while OL Reign also traded for a partial protection from Angel City FC.^[18][19]
• On December 8, NJ/NY Gotham FC and Portland Thorns FC both traded for roster protection from Angel City FC,^[20][21] while North Carolina Courage also traded for roster protection from both Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC.^[22]

On December 10, 2021, the NWSL released the protected lists from teams participating in the draft.^[23]

• Bold indicates players selected in the Expansion Draft
• Blue highlights indicate United States federation players
• Italics indicate players who are not under contract but whose NWSL playing rights remain with the team

Houston Dash [24] Protected Unprotected Jane Campbell Michaela Abam Rachel Daly Michelle Alozie Makamae Gomera-Stevens Joelle Anderson Shea Groom Bridgette Andrzejewski Haley Hanson Allysha Chapman Katie Naughton Taylor Comeau Nichelle Prince Niki Cross Maria Sanchez Amanda Dennis Gabby Seiler Hannah Diaz Marissa Diggs Lindsey Harris Melissa Henderson Bianca Henninger Savannah Jordan Veronica Latsko Kristie Mewis Christine Nairn Emily Ogle Megan Oyster Ally Prisock Annika Schmidt Sophie Schmidt Jasmyne Spencer Bri Visalli

OL Reign [25] Protected Unprotected Bethany Balcer Lauren Barnes Alana Cook Amber Brooks Angelina Mariah Bullock Jess Fishlock Steph Catley Sofia Huerta Stephanie Cox Rose Lavelle Kiersten Dallstream Quinn Ella Dederick Phallon Tullis-Joyce Madison Hammond Ally Watt Kelcie Hedge Sam Hiatt Celia Adrienne Jordan Tziarra King Alyssa Kleiner Jimena Lopez Kristen McNabb Sinclaire Miramontez Cosette Morché Theresa Nielsen Morgan Proffitt Leah Pruitt Megan Rapinoe Nikki Stanton Rumi Utsugi Abby Wambach Dani Weatherholt Lydia Williams Beverly Yanez

Orlando Pride [26] Protected Unprotected Mikayla Colohan Kerry Abello Taylor Kornieck Kaylie Collins Sydney Leroux Claire Emslie Phoebe McClernon Joanna Fennema Alex Morgan Caitlin Farrell Courtney Petersen Meggie Dougherty Howard Amy Turner Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir Marta Abi Kim Viviana Villacorta Carrie Lawrence Camila Erin McLeod Jade Moore Toni Pressley Ali Riley Parker Roberts Kylie Strom Erika Tymrak Emily Van Egmond Marisa Viggiano Chelsee Washington Brittany Wilson Shelina Zadorsky

Portland Thorns FC [27] Protected Unprotected Bella Bixby Amirah Ali Crystal Dunn Nadine Angerer Lindsey Horan Hannah Betfort Natalia Kuikka Celeste Boureille Emily Menges Sam Coffey Olivia Moultrie Marian Dougherty Raquel Rodriguez Britt Eckerstrom Sophia Smith Marissa Everett Morgan Weaver Shelby Hogan Kelli Hubly Meghan Klingenberg Andressinha Nikki Marshall Meg Morris Meaghan Nally Madison Pogarch Hayley Raso Kat Reynolds Yazmeen Ryan Angela Salem Becky Sauerbrunn Christine Sinclair Kat Tarr Rachel Van Hollebeke Christen Westphal Sandra Yu

Racing Louisville FC [28] Protected Unprotected Gemma Bonner Julia Ashley Kirsten Davis Janine Beckie Emina Ekic Caitlin Foord Emily Fox Parker Goins Cece Kizer Tobin Heath Katie Lund Alanna Kennedy Nadia Nadim Nealy Martin Freja Olofsson Cheyna Matthews Ebony Salmon Savannah McCaskill Addisyn Merrick Lauren Milliet Yūki Nagasato Taylor Otto Kaleigh Riehl Erin Simon Emily Smith

Washington Spirit [29] Protected Unprotected Dorian Bailey Taylor Aylmer Aubrey Bledsoe Camryn Biegalski Bayley Feist Averie Collins Ashley Hatch Jordan DiBiasi Tara McKeown Morgan Goff Julia Roddar Anna Heilferty Trinity Rodman Tori Huster Ashley Sanchez Devon Kerr Sam Staab Lori Lindsey Joanna Lohman Paige Nielsen Kelley O'Hara Karina Rodriguez Sydney Schneider Emily Sonnett Andi Sullivan Saori Takarada Kumi Yokoyama

See also

• List of NWSL drafts
• 2022 National Women's Soccer League season
• 2022 NWSL Draft

References

1. "NWSL Releases 2021 NWSL Expansion Draft Presented by Ally Process and Procedures" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
2. "NWSL Announces Dates for the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft and NWSL Draft Presented by Ally, Opens Player Registration" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
3. Lauletta, Dan (July 28, 2021). "The Lowdown: NWSL Expansion Draft rules finally coming to light". The Equalizer. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
4. "NWSL Announces Further Details Regarding 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft and 2022 NWSL Draft, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
5. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "With the 1st pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by @Ally:@weareangelcity selects @daniweatherholt of…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
6. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "With the 2nd pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by @Ally...@sandiegowavefc selects @KristieMewie of…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
7. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "With the 3rd pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by @Ally...@weareangelcity selects @emslie22 of the…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
8. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "With the 4th pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by @Ally...@sandiegowavefc selects @KristenMcNabb14…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
9. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "With the 5th pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by @Ally...@weareangelcity selects @Jas_it_Up of…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
10. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "The @sandiegowavefc have passed on the 6th pick.@weareangelcity is now on the clock ⏰" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
11. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "With the 7th pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by @Ally...@weareangelcity selects @Paigenielsen of…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
12. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "The @sandiegowavefc have passed on the 8th pick.SD Wave FC will now have the 9th and final pick..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
13. @NWSL (December 17, 2021). "With the 9th pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by @Ally...@sandiegowavefc selects Kaleigh Riehl of…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
14. "Angel City FC acquires rights to Christen Press from Racing Louisville FC" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
15. Small, Jordan (December 1, 2021). "Spirit Trade McGrady, International Spot, Draft Pick to San Diego for Expansion Draft Protection" (Press release). Washington Spirit.
16. "Chicago Red Stars Announce Roster Moves Ahead of Expansion Draft" (Press release). Chicago Red Stars. December 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
17. "Gotham FC Receives Protection and Allocation Money in Trade with San Diego Wave for Kailen Sheridan Rights" (Press release). NJ/NY Gotham FC. December 4, 2021.
18. Small, Jordan (December 6, 2021). "Washington Spirit Complete Trade with Angel City" (Press release). Washington Spirit. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
19. "OL Reign Acquire Partial Roster Protection and Allocation Money from Angel City FC" (Press release). OL Reign. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
20. "NJ/NY Gotham FC Secures Expansion Draft Immunity in Trade with Angel City FC for DiDi Haracic Rights" (Press release). NJ/NY Gotham FC. December 8, 2021.
21. "Thorns FC acquire Allocation Money, 2022 NWSL Draft pick, Expansion Draft immunity in trade with Angel City FC" (Press release). Portland Timbers. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
22. "NC Courage Receive Expansion Draft Protection in Trades with Angel City FC and San Diego Wave" (Press release). North Carolina Courage. December 8, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
23. "NWSL Releases Protected Lists Ahead of 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. December 10, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
24. "Houston Dash announces protected list ahead of NWSL Expansion Draft" (Press release). Houston Dynamo. December 10, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
25. "OL Reign Announces Players Available in NWSL Expansion Draft" (Press release). OL Reign. December 10, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
26. "Orlando Pride Announces 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft Protected List" (Press release). Orlando City SC. December 10, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
27. "NWSL releases protected lists ahead of 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by Ally" (Press release). Portland Timbers. December 10, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
28. "Racing sets protected list for 2022 Expansion Draft" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. December 10, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
29. Small, Jordan (December 10, 2021). "Washington Spirit Announce Protected and Unprotected Lists Ahead of 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft" (Press release). Washington Spirit. Retrieved July 21, 2023.