2020 NWSL Expansion Draft

The 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft was a special draft held on November 12, 2020, by the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for Racing Louisville FC, an expansion team, to select players from existing teams in the league.[1] Louisville would be able to select up to 18 players from a list of unprotected players provided by the nine incumbent NWSL teams.

2020 NWSL Expansion Draft
General information
SportSoccer
Date(s)November 12, 2020 (2020-11-12)
Time7 p.m. EST
LocationLynn Family Stadium
Louisville, Kentucky
Network(s)Twitch
Overview
18 total selections
LeagueNational Women's Soccer League
Teams1
Expansion teamsRacing Louisville FC
Expansion season2021

On October 26, 2020, the NWSL announced that Chicago Red Stars would receive full roster protection after executing a trade with Racing Louisville FC.[2]

Format

Each of the NWSL's nine teams could protect 11 players, with a limit of two United States federation players. Racing Louisville FC could select a maximum of two players (or one United States federation player) per team, and two United States federation players in total. All players currently under contract, on loan, or whose NWSL rights are held by an NWSL team (e.g., draft picks, waiver claims, retired players) were eligible for selection unless included on the protected list, and only players not yet signed from an NWSL team's discovery list were exempt.[3]

The timeline for the Expansion Draft process was as follows:

  • Thursday, Oct. 22 (1 p.m. ET) – Trade/waiver window closes
  • Thursday, Oct. 22 (5 p.m. ET) – All previously unannounced trades announced
  • Thursday, Oct. 29 (5 p.m. ET) – End-of-season process deadline
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4 (5 p.m. ET) – Protected list due from clubs to the NWSL
  • Thursday, Nov. 5 (1 p.m. ET) – Protected/unprotected lists distributed and made public
  • Thursday, Nov. 12 – 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft
  • Friday, Nov. 13 (9 a.m. ET) – Trade window opens

Draft results

Racing Louisville FC selected 14 players on November 12, 2020.[4]

  • Blue highlights indicate United States federation players
  • Italics indicate players who are not under contract but whose NWSL playing rights remain with the team
# Player Previous team Pos.
1Addisyn MerrickNorth Carolina CourageDF
2Julia AshleyOL ReignDF
3Jennifer CudjoeSky Blue FCMF
4CeCe KizerHouston DashMF
5Katie LundWashington SpiritGK
6Alanna KennedyOrlando PrideDF
7Lauren MillietNorth Carolina CourageMF
8Kaleigh RiehlSky Blue FCDF
9Caitlin FoordOrlando PrideFW
10Katie McClureWashington SpiritFW
11Erin SimonHouston DashDF
12Michelle BetosOL ReignGK
13Tobin HeathPortland Thorns FCFW
14Christen PressUtah Royals FCFW

Protected lists by team

After Chicago Red Stars traded for full roster protection, the remaining eight current NWSL teams released their respective protected lists on November 5, 2020.[5]

  • Bold indicates players selected in the Expansion Draft[4]
  • Blue highlights indicate United States federation players
  • Italics indicate players who are not under contract but whose NWSL playing rights remain with the team

See also

References
  1. "NWSL announces date of 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft" (Press release). NWSL. October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  2. "Racing Louisville FC Adds Franchise's First Roster Addition in Trade with Chicago" (Press release). NWSL. October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  3. "NWSL Releases 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft Process and Procedures". NWSL. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  4. "Raacing acquires rights to Heath, Press in expansion draft". Racing Louisville FC. November 12, 2020. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  5. "NWSL Releases 2020 Expansion Draft Protected List". NWSL. November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
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