The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is arguably the best women’s soccer league in the world, and as such, is also one of the most competitive to break into. There are only 10 organizations in the NWSL and each has around 18-20 players contracted in a given season. This means there are approximately 180-200 rostered players in the NWSL at any given time.
Though this seems like a large number, there are usually only between one and four spots available on each a team every season, depending on how many players are returning, retiring, or leaving to play in other leagues.
What might be surprising to some is that being selected in the NWSL draft does not guarantee a roster spot on a professional women’s soccer team in the US. Of the 145 players who declared for the 2016 NWSL draft, 40 players were selected, and only 30 of them earned a coveted roster spot.
Here’s how the 40 draft picks fared in the 2016 NWSL Season:
|
Draft # |
Name |
School |
NWSL Team |
Contracted |
|
1. |
Emily Sonnett |
Virginia |
Portland Thorns |
Yes |
|
2. |
Raquel Rodriguez |
Penn State |
Sky Blue FC |
Yes |
|
3. |
Christen Westphal |
Florida |
Boston Breakers |
Yes |
|
4. |
Carson Pickett |
Florida State |
Seattle Reign |
Yes |
|
5. |
Cari Roccaro |
Notre Dame |
Houston Dash |
Yes |
|
6. |
Rachel Daly |
St. John’s University |
Houston Dash |
Yes |
|
7. |
Cheyna Williams |
Florida State |
Washington Spirit |
Yes |
|
8. |
Janine Beckie |
Texas Tech |
Houston Dash |
Yes |
|
9. |
Michaela Hahn |
Florida State |
WNY Flash |
Yes |
|
10. |
Sam Witteman |
Cal |
Orlando Pride |
Yes |
