Seattle Reign: 25-player preseason roster released
The Seattle Reign has trimmed the roster to 25 players ahead of the 2017 preseason fixtures. With two games ahead, who will make the final cut?
The 2017 NWSL season is only a few weeks away, and for most clubs preseason is in full swing. The Seattle Reign only have a two match warm-up planned before the April 15 opener, but the roster is beginning to take shape.
On Tuesday, the club released the updated 25-player roster that they will take into those two preseason games against UCLA and the University of Washington. While the final 2017 league rules have yet to be released publicly, the Reign will most likely have to trim this group down to 20 for opening day.
"Goalkeepers (3): Haley Kopmeyer, Maddie Schiffel, Brianna Smallridge (NRI)Defenders (10): Elli Reed, Merritt Mathias, Lauren Barnes, Rachel Corsie, Carson Pickett, Anjel Brown (NRI), Maddie Bauer (Out of Market), Kristen McNabb (Draft Pick), Rumi Utsugi, Rebekah StottMidfielders (9): Veronica Perez (NRI), Christine Nairn, Jordan Jesolva (NRI), Haley Rosen (NRI), Mimi Rangel (NRI), Lindsay Elston, Paige Nielsen (NRI), Jessica Fishlock, Diana Matheson (Out of Market)Forwards (6): Beverly Yanez, Kiersten Dallstream, Megan Rapinoe, Nahomi Kawasumi, Katie Johnson (Draft Pick), Larissa Crummer (Out of Market)Non-Roster Invitee (NRI)"
Who Makes The Final Roster?
There are actually 28 players listed, with three who won’t join the team until closer to April 15. The NRI distinction and number of players classified by it is the important item to note.
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With 18 players under contract, if the league rules hold, that leaves the remaining ten players (including draft picks still with the team) battling over potentially just two spots. The two most interesting position battles are at goalkeeper and midfielder.
Haley Kopmeyer appears to be the clear number one in goal, with the newly signed Maddie Schiffel as the main challenger and backup. However, there is still no word on when, or if, club and national team legend Hope Solo will return to action.
In the midfield Jess Fishlock, Diana Matheson and Christine Narin look to lead that group, although several listed forwards (Rapinoe and Naho) often drop back into play. Five NRI players are listed as mid, including 2016 draft pick Paige Nielsen , who spent the winter playing for the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A League. It should be two weeks of intense competition trying to make it into the full team roster come opening day.
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The final roster will be released on April 10, two days after the last preseason scrimmage.