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With the 2016 NWSL clearly in the rearview mirror, the league has turned its focus toward a fifth season for the young competition. Last season was all about being the first US professional women’s soccer league to make it to a fourth year. This upcoming needs to be about stabilization and building for smart growth in the years to come.
As with all promising leagues the news and march forward can never stop. In recent weeks there has been a huge number of player movements, team updates, and league news. To catch you up on everything around the league over the last month here are six NWSL updates you need to know:
Seattle Reign Extend Coach Laura Harvey
The most successful coach in the NWSL to yet win the title has committed her future to the northwest power. A new four-year deal keeps her in Seattle until 2020, and gives her the chance to finally bring home a title. During her four year stint with the Reign the club has put up the most league wins (42) and best goal differential (+44). Harvey has even made the FIFA Top Women’s Manager final 10 short list twice.
2017 Draft
The league’s next collegiate draft will take place on January 12th, 2017 from the NSCAA Convention Center in LA. The draft will kick-off at 1 pm that afternoon and is open to the public. For fans you can’t make it out to LA, the entire event will be streamed online via the NWSL Website or YouTube.
Big Offseason Trade
In a stunning move, the Washington Spirit, who made the final in 2016, traded away one of their star players. USWNT defender Ali Krieger is heading to the Orlando Pride, while the Spirit get Washington’s second spot in the discovery order. The Discovery process is typically used to acquire new national team players. Ali now joins Alex Morgan is a promising 2017 setup for Orlando, who launch a new stadium. Meanwhile, are the Spirit lining up to acquire Mallory Pugh?
Another Winter Exodus To Australia
In what has become an offseason tradition for the NWSL, 29 players have been loaned out to W-League clubs. With the Australian league being played November to February, it is the perfect way for players to stay fit and also earn enough to be a full time professional player. Every single NWSL team is taking part of the tradition this year. If you’d like to keep up with the NWSL players, the W-League will be aired in the USA on ESPN3.
2017 Draft Order
Based on the finishing positions in 2016, as well as numerous past trades between clubs, the selection order has been confirmed. In years past top draft picks have made immediate impacts in the league. The 2014 first overall pick, Crystal Dunn, has gone on to score 19 league goals and 17 national team goals, three years. The team ready to make big waves is the Boston Breakers. After finishing last in 2016, the club has five draft picks in the first 16 spots.
Reign Striker Retires
In what still could be a massive turnover year for the Seattle club, forward Manon Melis announced her retirement this week. At only 30, the striker has had a highly successful career. Melis accumulated an impressive 135 caps for her Dutch national side, during which time she scored 59 goals. Perhaps though her club record is even more worthy of praise. In her nine-year career she played in 182 matches, scoring 131 times, a 0.7 goal per game average for her entire career.
