2022 NWSL expansion draft

Last updated

2022 NWSL Expansion Draft
General information
Sport Soccer
Date(s)December 16, 2021 (2021-12-16)
Time7 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
Expansion season 2022
  2020
2024  

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]

Contents

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

PickSelecting teamNat.PlayerPos.Previous teamRef.
1 Angel City FC Flag of the United States.svg Dani Weatherholt MF OL Reign [5]
2 San Diego Wave FC Flag of the United States.svg Kristie Mewis MF Houston Dash [6]
3 Angel City FC Flag of Scotland.svg Claire Emslie FW Orlando Pride [7]
4 San Diego Wave FC Flag of the United States.svg Kristen McNabb DF OL Reign [8]
5 Angel City FC Flag of the United States.svg Jasmyne Spencer FW Houston Dash [9]
6 San Diego Wave FC PASS [10]
7 Angel City FC Flag of the United States.svg Paige Nielsen DF Washington Spirit [11]
8 San Diego Wave FC PASS [12]
9 San Diego Wave FC Flag of the United States.svg 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 December 10, 2021, the NWSL released the protected lists from teams participating in the draft. [23]