NWSL: US Soccer releases list of allocated players for the 2017 season

With just one week until the start of the 2017 NWSL season, we look at the allocated players across the league from US Soccer, and its impact.

One of the unique features about the NWSL, is the fact that US Soccer subsidizes the salaries for national team players. With nearly every member of the US Women’s National Team playing in the NWSL this season, how does that impact the spread of talent and finances?

Allocated Players

In the press release on Thursday, 22 players were declared as federation players, including four new names. The list updates each season based on who has been active with the squad, and looks to be a part of the setup during the upcoming season.

Here is a breakdown by club:

"Boston Breakers: Rose Lavelle*Chicago Red Stars: Julie (Johnston) Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, Christen Press and Casey Short*Houston Dash: Morgan Brian and Carli LloydFC Kansas City: Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez and Becky SauerbrunnNorth Carolina Courage: Samantha Mewis and Lynn Williams*Orlando Pride: Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger and Alex MorganPortland Thorns FC: Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Meghan Klingenberg, Allie Long* and Emily SonnettSeattle Reign FC: Megan RapinoeSky Blue FC: Kelley O’HaraWashington Spirit: NoneKey* = New federation player in 2017"

Notably the Chicago Red Stars have four players allocated to their team, while the Portland Thorns has five. The Washington Spirit are the only club without a USWNT player on the roster, now that Crystal Dunn has made a full move to Chelsea FC.

Impact on Rosters & Salary Caps

According to the NWSL 2017 Roster Rules, a federation player is noted as ‘a Player whose compensation is underwritten by a Federation.’ Now just like the MLS, the NWSL withholds most of the financial elements of player and team deals. So exactly how much, or all, of a national team player’s salary they cover is unknown.

In the end, the rule is in place to (a) help keep the NWSL financially stable, (b) encourage USWNT players to stay in America, and (c) reward the country’s top players. With a salary cap of $315,000 for 2017, even taking five players out of the equation, like in Portland, doesn’t translate to a massive advantage.

With a roster cap of 20 players, dividing the salary cap over the remaining 15 players comes out to $21,000 per player. Thus on a team by team basis, the focus is about style of play and the player’s fit into the organization, not significantly higher pay, as it should be.

Next: USWNT: Match Recap and Key Takeaways

Check back this coming week as we here at MLS Multiplex preview all 10 NWSL clubs heading into the 2017 season, including transfer activity, predicting the starting XI and finishing position for each team.