NWSL announces allocated players for 2019

NWSL has announced its 2019 allocated players. There are 22 USWNT and nine CanWNT players on the list this season. The 22 US players are already known (thanks for the spoilers Equalizer Soccer) but we now have the full list.

Americans leaving the allocated list from 2018 are Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Lynn Williams (NC Courage), Amy Rodriguez (Utah Royals), and Taylor Smith (Washington Spirit). Canadians leaving the list are Sabrina D’Angelo, Janine Beckie, Adriana Leon, and Rebecca Quinn.

Americans joining the allocated list are McCall Zerboni, Adrianna Franch, and Morgan Brian, while the new Canadians are Stephanie Labbé and Sophie Schmidt. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say returning instead of new since both Labbé and Schmidt were allocated before.

Club-by-club allocations below:

Chicago Red Stars

Morgan Brian (USA)*
Julie Ertz (USA)
Alyssa Naeher (USA)
Casey Short (USA)

Houston Dash

Allysha Chapman (CSA)
Nichelle Prince (CSA)
Sophie Schmidt (CSA)*

North Carolina Courage

Abby Dahlkemper (USA)
Crystal Dunn (USA)
Stephanie Labbé (CSA)*
Samantha Mewis (USA)
McCall Zerboni (USA)*

Orlando Pride

Ashlyn Harris (USA)
Alex Morgan (USA)
Shelina Zadorsky (CSA)

Portland Thorns FC

Adrianna Franch (USA)*
Tobin Heath(USA)
Lindsey Horan (USA)
Christine Sinclair (CSA)
Emily Sonnett (USA)

Reign FC

Allie Long (USA)
Megan Rapinoe (USA)

Sky Blue FC

Carli Lloyd (USA)
Kailen Sheridan (CSA)

Utah Royals FC

Diana Matheson (CSA)
Kelley O’Hara (USA)
Christen Press (USA)
Becky Sauerbrunn (USA)
Desiree Scott (CSA)

Washington Spirit

Rose Lavelle (USA)
Mallory Pugh (USA)

* = New Allocated Player in 2019

Allocation lists matter in that they tend to point towards which players each federation considers worth a financial investment that year; this year in particular, with players wanting to make World Cup rosters, allocation can be a make-or-break promise. Of course, we have to look at the more granular level of data with callups to games, and which games, if we want more detailed clues about who’s core and who’s fringe on a roster. Some of the allocations, like Morgan Brian, in combination with her physical fitness and lack of consistent regular appearances for the USWNT, might indicate she’s still in WNT plans, but not in any immediate sense.

Who do you see who should or shouldn’t be allocated this year? Let us know in the comments!