Rosters for the NWSL Challenge Cup are below. Given the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, players could opt out of competing in the Challenge Cup and a few did, including Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Christen Press (Utah Royals FC), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC). Carli Lloyd and Mallory Pugh (both Sky Blue FC) are injured and won’t be playing either.
Veteran NWSL and U.S. Women’s National Team players Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, along with Brazilian legend Marta, new Prider Emily Sonnett, NWSL newcomer Ali Riley, and Canadian international Shelina Zadorsky won’t be competing due to the Orlando Pride’s withdrawal from the tournament. Pride forward Alex Morgan is also out after giving birth to a baby girl in May. The Pride had a whole new look and it’s a shame we won’t get to see the squad in action.
There’s plenty of star power, however. The NWSL is home to all of the players from the 2019 World Cup-winning squad, and talented international along with a new crop of rookies.
Roster key:
- FED = Federation player. These players have their salaries paid by the U.S. Soccer Federation or the Canadian Soccer Association.
- INT = International player. Uses an international roster spot.
- CDP = College draft pick. Players picked in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.
Here’s who will be in Utah:
Chicago Red Stars
Goalkeepers (3): Emily Boyd, Cassie Miller, Alyssa Naeher (FED-USA)
Defenders (11): Camryn Biegalski (CDP), Julia Bingham (CDP), Tierna Davidson (FED-USA), Hannah Davison, Julie Ertz (FED-USA), Zoey Goralski, Sarah Gorden, Zoe Morse (CDP), Kayla Sharples, Casey Short (FED-USA), Bianca St. Georges
Midfielders (7): Morgan Brian (FED-USA), Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, , Savannah McCaskill, Yuki Nagasato (INT-JPN), Cassie Rohan, Ella Stevens (CDP)
Forwards (7): Makenzy Doniak, Rachel Hill, Katie Johnson, Sarah Luebbert, Zoe Redei, Michele Vasconcelos, Kealia Watt*
*formerly Ohai
Houston Dash
Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell, Amanda Dennis, Lindsey Harris
Defenders (5): Allysha Chapman, Katie Naughton, Megan Oyster, Ally Prisock, Erin Simon
Midfielders (8): Shea Groom, Haley Hanson, Cece Kizer, Kristie Mewis, Christine Nairn, Cami Privett, Sophie Schmidt, Bri Visalli
Forward (8): Bridgette Andrzejewski (CDP), Rachel Daly (INT-ENG), Jamia Fields, Veronica Latsko, Maegan Kelly, Kayla McCoy, Nichelle Prince, Katie Stengel
North Carolina Courage
Goalkeepers (3): Stephanie Labbé (FED-CAN), Samantha Murphy*, Katelyn Rowland
Defenders (11): Lindsay Agnew, Abby Dahlkemper (FED-USA), Jaelene Daniels**, Abby Erceg, Hailey Harbison, Kaleigh Kurtz, Hailie Mace, Merritt Mathias, Addisyn Merrick (CDP), Sinclaire Miramontez (CDP), Ryan Williams
Midfielders (7): Debinha (INT-BRA), Crystal Dunn (FED-USA), Samantha Mewis (FED-USA), Lauren Milliet, Denise O’Sullivan (INT-IRE), Cari Roccaro, Meredith Speck
Forwards (5): Kristen Hamilton, Jessica McDonald, McKenzie Meehan, Ally Watt (CDP), Lynn Williams
*formerly Leshnak
**formerly Hinkle
OL Reign
Goalkeepers (3): Michelle Betos, Casey Murphy, Carly Nelson
Defenders (10): Lauren Barnes, Amber Brooks, Alana Cook, Steph Cox, Machaela George, Madison Hammond, Celia Jiménez Delgado (INT-ESP), Adrienne Jordan, Kristen McNabb, Taylor Smith
Midfielders (8): Morgan Andrews, Shirley Cruz (INT-CRC), Jess Fishlock, Kelcie Hedge (CDP), Allie Long (FED-USA), Rebecca Quinn (INT-CAN), Dani Weatherholt, Rosie White (INT-NZ)
Forwards (7): Bethany Balcer, Sofia Huerta, Darian Jenkins, Mariah Lee, Nicole Momiki, Jasmyne Spencer, Jodie Taylor
Portland Thorns FC
Goalkeepers (3): Bella Bixby, Britt Eckerstrom, Adrianna Franch (FED-USA)
Defenders (9): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Meaghan Nally (CDP), Madison Pogarch, Katherine Reynolds, Becky Sauerbrunn (FED-USA), Autumn Smithers, Christen Westphal
Midfielders (6): Celeste Boureille, Lindsey Horan (FED-USA), Emily Ogle, Rocky Rodríguez (INT-CRC), Angela Salem, Gabby Seiler
Forwards (7): Simone Charley, Marissa Everett, Tyler Lussi, Anika Rodriguez, Christine Sinclair (FED-CAN), Sophia Smith (CDP), Morgan Weaver (CDP)
Sky Blue FC
Goalkeepers (4): Didi Haracic, Megan Hinz, Amanda “Mandy” McGlynn (CDP), Kailen Sheridan (FED-CAN)
Defenders (9): Jennifer Cudjoe (INT-GHA), Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Estelle Johnson, Gina Lewandowski, Kaleigh Riehl (CDP), Domi Richardson, Erica Skroski, Chantelle Swaby (CDP)
Midfielders (9): Cassidy Benintente, Nicole Baxter, Elizabeth Eddy, Naho Kawasumi (INT-JPN), Margaret “Midge” Purce, Madison Tiernan, Sarah Woldmoe, Kenie Wright, McCall Zerboni
Forwards (5): Imani Dorsey, Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, Domi Richardson, Evelyne Viens (INT-CAN/CDP)
Utah Royals FC
Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Abby Smith, Melissa Lowder
Defenders (10): Elizabeth Ball, Rachel Corsie, Taylor Leach, Gaby Vincent, Katie Bowen, Kelley O’Hara (FED-USA), Mallory Weber, Marissa Sheva, Michelle Maemone, Maddie Nolf
Midfielders (8): Vero Boquete, Diana Matheson (FED-CAN), Desiree Scott (FED-CAN), Chestley Strother, Lo’eau Labonta, Aminata Diallo (INT-FRA), Gunny Jonsdottir, Kate Del Fava (CDP)
Forwards (7): Brittany Ratcliffe, Amy Rodriguez, Arielle Ship, Tziarra King (CDP), Taylor Lytle, Holly Daugirda, Raisa Strom-Okimoto
Washington Spirit
Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Devon Kerr, Katie Lund
Defenders (8): Tegan McGrady, Sam Staab, Paige Nielsen, Jenna Hellstrom (INT-CAN), Brooke Hendrix, Tori Huster, Kaiya McCullough (CDP), Natalie Jacobs (CDP)
Midfielders (8): Dorian Bailey, Jaye Boisierre, Jordan DiBiasi, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Rose Lavelle (FED-USA), Meghan McCool, Jessie Scarpa, Andi Sullivan
Forwards (7): Averie Collins (CDP), Bayley Feist, Ashley Hatch, Katie McClure (CDP), Ashley Sanchez (CDP), Crystal Thomas, Kumi Yokoyama (INT-JPN)