2026 NWSL rookie class

2026 NWSL rookie class
Overview
LeagueNational Women's Soccer League

The rookie class for the 2026 season of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the second since the abolition of the NWSL Draft. Instead of being selected in a draft, first-year professionals are able to sign with teams as free agents. In December 2025, the league held the first NWSL Combines for both youth players and college and post-college players.[1][2]

List

Key

+ Denotes player who has been selected as NWSL Most Valuable Player
* Denotes player who has been selected for an NWSL Best XI or NWSL Second XI team
^ Denotes player who has been selected as NWSL Rookie of the Year
# Denotes player who has never appeared in a competitive NWSL game (regular season, playoff, or Challenge Cup)

Players

Date Nat. Player Pos. NWSL team College Ref.
Dec 3, 2025United StatesSophia LowenbergMFBoston Legacy FCBoston College[3]
Dec 9, 2025IsraelTalia SommerMFGotham FCButler[4]
Dec 10, 2025NigeriaChioma OkaforFWNorth Carolina CourageUConn[5]
Dec 16, 2025United StatesKolo SuliafuDFKansas City CurrentWashington[6]
Dec 19, 2025United StatesLaney RouseDFKansas City CurrentVirginia[7]
Dec 22, 2025United StatesMeila Brewer#DFKansas City CurrentUCLA[8]
Dec 23, 2025United StatesHeather GilchristDFBay FCFlorida State[9]
Dec 26, 2025United StatesGianna PaulFWKansas City CurrentAlabama[10]
Dec 29, 2025JamaicaMimi Van ZantenDFSan Diego Wave FCFlorida State[11]
Dec 29, 2025United StatesShae HarveyMFPortland Thorns FCStanford[12]
Dec 30, 2025United StatesLia GodfreyMFSan Diego Wave FCVirginia[13]
Jan 6, 2026United StatesAmelia WhiteFWKansas City CurrentPenn State[14]
Jan 7, 2026United StatesTaylor WhiteFWRacing Louisville FCWest Virginia[15]
Jan 7, 2026United StatesKarsyn CherryDFAngel City FCLouisville[16]
Jan 7, 2026United StatesKat RaderFWHouston DashDuke[17]
Jan 7, 2026United StatesCarina LageyreMFAngel City FCDuke[18]
Jan 8, 2026United StatesAndrea KitahataFWGotham FCStanford[19]
Jan 8, 2026United StatesTaylor SuarezMFAngel City FCFlorida State[20]
Jan 8, 2026United StatesJasmine Aikey#FWDenver Summit FCStanford[21]
Jan 8, 2026United StatesMaddie PadelskiFWPortland Thorns FCAlabama[22]
Jan 8, 2026United StatesLeah KlenkeDFHouston DashNotre Dame[23]
Jan 9, 2026United StatesSara Wojdelko#GKWashington SpiritVanderbilt[24]
Jan 9, 2026United StatesMirann GaciochDFRacing Louisville FCOhio State[25]
Jan 10, 2026United StatesYuna McCormackMFDenver Summit FCFlorida State[26]
Jan 13, 2026United StatesLinda UllmarkMFHouston DashNorth Carolina[27]
Jan 14, 2026United StatesMolly Pritchard#GKNorth Carolina CourageOhio State[28]
Jan 14, 2026United StatesKate FaasseFWHouston DashNorth Carolina[29]
Jan 14, 2026United StatesFaith Nguyen#GKAngel City FCTexas Tech[30]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesTeagan Wy#GKGotham FCCalifornia[31]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesMacy BlackburnDFRacing Louisville FCTexas Tech[32]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesElise EvansDFChicago Stars FCStanford[33]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesNatalie MeansDFDenver Summit FCGeorgetown[34]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesMaja LardnerFWRacing Louisville FCGeorgetown[35]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesEvan O'Steen#GKSeattle Reign FCFlorida State[36]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesSeven CastainFWOrlando PrideTCU[37]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesCara Martin#GKOrlando PrideGeorgetown[37]
Jan 16, 2026United StatesJordan Nytes#GKDenver Summit FCColorado[38]
Jan 17, 2026United StatesTessa DellaroseMFChicago Stars FCNorth Carolina[39]
Jan 17, 2026United StatesDevin LynchMFDenver Summit FCDuke[40]
Jan 17, 2026United StatesFaith Webber#FWDenver Summit FCUtah Valley[41]
Jan 19, 2026United StatesEmma EgiziiMFChicago Stars FCUCLA[42]
Jan 19, 2026JamaicaSolai WashingtonFWOrlando PrideFlorida State[43]
Jan 20, 2026United StatesOlivia ThomasFWDenver Summit FCNorth Carolina[44]
Jan 22, 2026United StatesCarolyn CalzadaDFPortland Thorns FCNotre Dame[45]
Jan 26, 2026United StatesJordynn DudleyFWGotham FCFlorida State[46]
Jan 27, 2026United StatesMolly Skurcenski#MFWashington SpiritTexas Tech[47]
Feb 5, 2026JamaicaKameron SimmondsDFUtah RoyalsFlorida State[48]
Feb 25, 2026United StatesRajanah Reed#FWAngel City FCUCF[49]
Mar 4, 2026United StatesTatum WynaldaMFSan Diego Wave FCPepperdine[50]
Mar 5, 2026United StatesReagan RaabeFWOrlando PrideNebraska[51]
Mar 5, 2026United StatesCate HardinDFHouston DashGeorgia[52]
Mar 10, 2026United StatesKalea EichenbergerFWUtah RoyalsWashington[53]
Mar 10, 2026United StatesCamryn Miller#GKBay FCCincinnati[54]
Mar 10, 2026Puerto RicoIvy YounceDFNorth Carolina CourageLiberty[55]
Mar 11, 2026United StatesNatalie Mitchell#MFRacing Louisville FCVirginia Tech[56]
Mar 12, 2026United StatesJennie ImmethunDFPortland Thorns FCUCLA[57]
Mar 12, 2026United StatesRenee LylesMFPortland Thorns FCClemson[57]
Mar 12, 2026United StatesRuby HladekFWSeattle Reign FCUtah Valley[58]
Mar 19, 2026United StatesTaylor Rath#GKChicago Stars FCUtah State[59]
Mar 20, 2026United StatesKeeley Dockter#DFSeattle Reign FCPortland[60]
Mar 21, 2026United StatesKelsey BransonMFKansas City CurrentWashington[61]
Mar 27, 2026United StatesErynn Floyd#GKRacing Louisville FCLouisville[62]
Apr 10, 2026United StatesNatalie BainDFHouston DashXavier[63]
July 31, 2026United StatesItala Gemelli#DFKansas City CurrentAlabama[64]
August 4, 2026United StatesAli Swensen#DFUtah RoyalsUtah[65]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Clark, Travis (August 15, 2025). "Pro Prospects to Watch in Women's DI Soccer". TopDrawerSoccer. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  2. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (September 17, 2025). "NWSL to introduce combines instead of player draft". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Boston Legacy Football Club Signs Sophia Lowenberg". Boston Legacy FC. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Gotham FC Signs Butler Standout Talia Sommer". Gotham FC. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  5. ↑ "NC Courage Sign Nigerian National Team Forward Chioma Okafor". North Carolina Courage. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Kansas City Current Signs All-American Defender Kolo Suliafu to One-Year Deal". Kansas City Current. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Standout Collegiate Defender Laney Rouse Signs With Kansas City Current Through 2026". Kansas City Current. December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Youth National Team Defender Meila Brewer Inks Three-Year Contract With Kansas City Current". Kansas City Current. December 22, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Bay FC Signs 2-Time All-American Defender Heather Gilchrist". Bay FC. December 23, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Forward Gianna Paul, Two-Time All-American, Joins Kansas City Current Through 2028 on Three-Year Deal". Kansas City Current. December 26, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  11. ↑ "San Diego Wave FC Signs Mimi Van Zanten". San Diego Wave FC. December 29, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Portland Thorns Sign Stanford University Midfielder Shae Harvey". Portland Thorns FC. December 29, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  13. ↑ "San Diego Wave FC Signs Midfielder Lia Godfrey". San Diego Wave FC. December 30, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Kansas City Current, Forward Amelia White Agree to Two-Year Contract Through 2027". Kansas City Current. January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Racing adds All-American forward Taylor White on multi-year contract". Racing Louisville FC. January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Angel City Football Club Signs University of Louisville Defender Karsyn Cherry". Angel City FC. January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Houston Dash Begin 2026 Roster Build with Signing of Duke Standout Kat Rader". Houston Dash. January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Angel City Football Club Signs Duke University Midfielder Carina Lageyre". Angel City FC. January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Gotham FC Signs U.S. Youth International Andrea Kitahata". Gotham FC. January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Angel City Football Club Signs Florida State Midfielder Taylor Suarez". Angel City FC. January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Denver Summit FC Signs Stanford Standout Jasmine Aikey". Denver Summit FC. January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Portland Thorns Sign University of Alabama Forward Maddie Padelski". Portland Thorns FC. January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Houston Native and Notre Dame Defender Leah Klenke Joins Houston Dash". Houston Dash. January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Washington Spirit Signs Goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko from Vanderbilt". Washington Spirit. January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Racing signs All-American Ohio State defender Gacioch". Racing Louisville FC. January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Denver Summit FC Signs Midfielder Yuna McCormack". Denver Summit FC. January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Houston Dash Sign NCAA National Champion Linda Ullmark". Houston Dash. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  28. ↑ "NC Courage Sign Goalkeeper Molly Pritchard Through 2027 NWSL Season". North Carolina Courage. January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Houston Dash Sign MAC Herman Trophy Winner Kate Faasse". Houston Dash. January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Angel City Football Club Signs NCAA National Champion And PAC-12 Champion Goalkeeper Faith Nguyen". Angel City FC. January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Gotham FC Signs U.S. Youth International Goalkeeper Teagan Wy". Gotham FC. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Racing brings in Texas Tech assist leader Blackburn on first pro contract". Racing Louisville FC. January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Chicago Stars FC Signs Defender, Elise Evans". Chicago Stars FC. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Denver Summit FC Signs Collegiate Standout Natalie Means". Denver Summit FC. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  35. ↑ "All-American forward Lardner joins Racing on multi-year contract". Racing Louisville FC. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Seattle Reign FC Signs U-18 Goalkeeper Evan O'Steen". Seattle Reign FC. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  37. 1 2 "Orlando Pride signs Seven Castain, Cara Martin and Nicole Payne to one-year contracts". Orlando Pride. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Denver Summit FC Signs Colorado Product Jordan Nytes". Denver Summit FC. January 16, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Chicago Stars FC Signs Tessa Dellarose". Chicago Stars FC. January 17, 2026. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Denver Summit FC Signs Duke Midfielder Devin Lynch". Denver Summit FC. January 17, 2026. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Denver Summit FC Signs Utah Valley Forward Faith Webber". Denver Summit FC. January 17, 2026. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Chicago Stars FC Signs Midfielder, Emma Egizii". Chicago Stars FC. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Orlando Pride signs forward Solai Washington to long-term contract". Orlando Pride. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Denver Summit FC Signs UNC Forward Olivia Thomas". Denver Summit FC. January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Portland Thorns Sign Defender Carolyn Calzada". Portland Thorns FC. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Gotham FC Inks Decorated US Youth National Team Star Jordynn Dudley". Gotham FC. January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Washington Spirit Signs Two to Short-Term Injury Replacement Contracts". Washington Spirit. January 27, 2026. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Utah Royals FC Signs 2025 NCAA National Champion Kameron Simmonds". Utah Royals. February 5, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Angel City Football Club Signs Forward Rajanah Reed as National Team Replacement Player". Angel City FC. February 25, 2026. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  50. ↑ "San Diego Wave FC Signs Tatum Wynalda to Injury Replacement Contract". San Diego Wave FC. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Orlando Pride Signs Forward Reagan Raabe to Short-Term Contract". Orlando Pride. March 5, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Houston Dash Sign Defender Cate Hardin". Houston Dash. March 5, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  53. ↑ "URFC Signs Kalea Eichenberger as National Team Replacement Player". Utah Royals. March 10, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Bay FC Signs Goalkeeper Camryn Miller to One-Year Contract". Bay FC. March 10, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Courage Sign Defender Ivy Younce to Short-Term Contract". North Carolina Courage. March 10, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Racing signs Mitchell to complete roster ahead of opener". Racing Louisville FC. March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  57. 1 2 "Portland Thorns Announce Final Roster Ahead of 2026 Season". Portland Thorns FC. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Seattle Reign FC Signs Forward Ruby Hladek to Short-Term Deal". Seattle Reign FC. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Chicago Stars FC Signs Goalkeeper Taylor Rath to Roster Relief Contract". Chicago Stars FC. March 19, 2026. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Seattle Reign FC Signs Defender Keeley Dockter to Short-Term Deal". Seattle Reign FC. March 20, 2026. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Kansas City Current Signs Midfielder Kelsey Branson to Short-Term Deal". Kansas City Current. March 21, 2026. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Racing signs former Louisville Cardinal goalkeeper Floyd to first pro deal". Racing Louisville FC. March 27, 2026. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Houston Dash Sign Two-Time Big East Defensive Player of the Year Natalie Bain". Houston Dash. April 10, 2026. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  64. ↑ "Match Preview: Kansas City Current Opens August Slate With Rematch Against Angel City FC". Kansas City Current. July 31, 2026. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  65. ↑ "URFC Announces Signing of Utah Native and Former University of Utah Standout Ali Swensen". Utah Royals. August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
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