The 2022 NWSL College Draft is on Saturday, with the NWSL announcing on Tuesday the full list of players available to be drafted.

As expected, Florida State midfielder Jaelin Howell has declared for the NWSL College Draft and will likely be selected first overall by San Diego, sources told Just Women’s Sports.

Others included on the list are Naomi Girma from Stanford and Penelope Hocking from Southern California, Just Women’s Sports’ projected second and third picks in the draft.

The 2022 NWSL Draft presented by Ally will stream live on Paramount+, the CBS Sports HQ Twitch channel and on the CBS Sports HQ and NWSL YouTube channels. CBS Sports HQ will also stream the draft from 2-4 PM, ET. Both drafts will stream internationally outside the U.S. on the NWSL’s Twitch channel.

Final list of players registered for the 2022 NWSL Draft, in alphabetical order:

Last Name	First Name	School/University	Position(s) Played	Hometown	Youth Club	Citizenship
Adams	Haileigh	University of Colorado – Boulder	Defender	Pasadena, California	Golden State	United States
Adams	Leslie	Siena College	Goalkeeper	Collegeville, PA	Reading Rage	United States
Alexander	Tinaya	Louisiana State University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Reading, England	Arsenal Women Youth Academy	United Kingdom
Anderson	Taylor	University of Richmond	Midfielder	Peachtree Corners, Georgia	Concorde Fire	United States
Arthurs	Carli	Stephen F. Austin State University	Forward, Defender	Lewisville, Texas	Solar Soccer Club	United States
Aviza	Shannon	St. John’s University	Midfielder, Defender	Medway, Massachusetts	Boston Breakers	United States
Bardes	Erica	Central Connecticut State University	Midfielder, Defender	Montvale, New Jersey	World Class FC	United States
Bass	Jasmine	New Jersey City University	Forward, Midfielder	Middletown, New York	TOWS (Town of Walkill Soccer Club)	United States
Beckman	Natalie	University of Denver	Forward, Midfielder	Aurora, Colorado	Colorado Rapids (Colorado Storm)	United States
Beletic	Isabella	University of Incarnate Word	Midfielder, Defender	Corpus Christi, Texas	Classics Elite / Athenians	United States
Belisle	Mollie	University of Georgia	Forward	Atlanta, Georgia	Concorde Fire	United States
Bennett	Elysa	Washington State University	Forward	De Pere, Wisconsin	FC Wisconsin Eclipse (ECNL)	United States
Bentick	Aysha	University of Louisiana – Monroe	Midfielder, Defender	London, England	Millwall Lionesses	United Kingdom
Berry	Olivia	Benedictine College	Goalkeeper	Cedar Hill, Missouri	WC St. Louis	United States
Bike	Jenna	Boston College	Forward	Trumbull, Connecticut	Connecticut Football Club	United States
Bloomer	Jordyn	University of Wisconsin – Madison	Goalkeeper	Hartland, Wisconsin	FC Wisconsin	United States
Bostard	Haley	Grand Canyon University	Midfielder, Defender	Discovery Bay, California	West Coast Wild	United States
Bova	Marisa	Purdue University	Goalkeeper	Hartland, Wisconsin	SC Waukesha (SC Wave)	United States
Breslin	Hope	University of Illinois	Forward, Mifielder	Massapequa, New York	East Meadow Soccer Club	United States
Briede	Belle	Stanford University	Forward, Midfielder	Alpharetta, Georgia	Tophat Soccer Club	United States
Brown	Ryanne	Wake Forest University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Indianapolis, Indiana	Indiana Fire	United States
Brummett	Gabi	University of Portland	Forward, Midfielder	Bow, New Hampshire	FC Stars of Massachusetts	United States
Bruster	Kayla	University of Georgia	Defender	Smyrna, Georgia	Tophat Soccer Club	United States
Caffey	Tiana	Louisiana State University	Midfielder, Defender	Port St. Lucie, Florida	Space Coast United	United States
Cahalan	Claire	University of Toledo	Forward, Mifielder	Ann Arbor, Michigan	Michigan Hawks	United States
Camberos	Scarlett	University of California – Irvine	Forward, Midfielder	Chula Vista, California	Albion Soccer Club	United States/Mexico
Campbell	Raenah	Drexel University	Forward	Skaneateles, New York	Syracuse Developmental Academy	United States
Canales	Marley	University of California – Los Angeles	Midfielder	San Diego, California	San Diego Surf	United States
Cardozo	Ashley	Utah State University	Forward, Midfielder	Salt Lake City, Utah	La Roca	United States
Cavanaugh	Meghan	University of South Florida	Forward, Midfielder	Clifton Park, New York	New York Elite FC	United States
Chang	Lauren	University of South Carolina	Midfielder	Alpharetta, Georgia	Tophat Soccer Club	United States
Cherry	Mackenzie	Coastal Carolina University	Midfielder, Defender	Canton, Georgia	Atlanta Concorde Fire ECNL	United States
Cleverley	Daisy	Georgetown University	Midfielder	Auckland, New Zealand	Western Springs Club AFC	New Zealand
Coleman	Gabriella	Oklahoma State University	Forward	Keller, Texas	D’Feeters Soccer Club/ DKSC	United States
Cook	Ava	Michigan State University	Forward	Battle Creek, Michigan	Midwest United – Kalamazoo	United States
Correa De Oliveira	Julia	Chicago State University	Forward, Midfielder	Canoas, Brazil	EC Pelotas Phoenix	Brazil
Cosme	Caitlin	Duke University	Defender	New Hyde Park, New York	Albertson Fury 98	United States
Cowart	Jessika	University of Washington	Midfielder, Defender	Redwood City, California	Palo Alto Soccer Club	United States
Cummings	Sydney	Georgetown University	Defender	Millstone Township, New Jersey	FC Copa Academy	United States
Curran	Chardonnay	University of Oregon	Midfielder, Defender	Ewa Beach, Hawaii	Hawaii Rush	United States
DeMarco	Giovanna	Wake Forest University	Midfielder	Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania	Match Fit Academy	United States
DeMelo	Savannah	University of Southern California	Forward, Midfielder	Bellflower, California	Beach Futbol Club	United States
Dennis	Chyanne	University of South Florida	Midfielder, Defender	Sunrise, Florida	Orlando City ECNL	United States/Jamaica
DePriest	Peyton	Middle Tennessee State University	Forward, Midfielder	Franklin, Tennessee	Tennessee Soccer Club	United States
Dickey	Claudia	University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill	Goalkeeper	Charlotte, North Carolina	Charlotte Soccer Academy	United States
Dierickx	Natalie	Western Washington University	Goalkeeper	Kirkland, Washington	Crossfire Premier FC	United States
DiGenova	Marissa	Temple University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	King of Prussia, Pennsylvania	FC Delco	United States
Diwura Soale	Wasila	Louisiana State University	Midfielder	Accra, Ghana	Hasaacas Ladies FC	Ghana
Doyle	Darby	Western Washington University	Midfielder	Spokane, Washington	Spokane Shadow G98	United States
Doyle	Julie	Santa Clara University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Newport Beach, California	San Diego Surf Soccer Club	United States
Edwards	Hannah	Grand Canyon University	Defender	Aurora, Colorado	Colorado Storm ECNL	United States
Elwell	Madison	Vanderbilt University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Ambler, Pennsylvania	YMS Xplosion	United States
Enciso	Sabrina	University of Arizona	Defender	Moreno Valley, California	SoCal Blues	United States
Fishel	Mia	University of California – Los Angeles	Forward, Midfielder	San DIego, California	San Diego Surf SC	United States
Fisher	Samantha	University of Notre Dame	Forward, Midfielder	Simi Valley, California	Real So Cal	United States
Fregulia	Kaitlin	Cal State University – Long Beach	Forward, Defender	Torrance, California	Beach Futbol Club	United States
Frerker	Andrea	Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville	Midfielder, Defender	Maryville, Illinois	Loufusz Soccer Club	United States
Gareis	Ryan	University of South Carolina	Forward	Naperville, Illinois	Sockers FC Chicago ECNL	United States
Gee	Tatum	Princeton University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Long Beach, California	Beach Futbol Club	United States
Girma	Naomi	Stanford University	Defender	San Jose, California	N/A	United States
Golob	Lana	Virgina Commonwealth University	Defender	Recica ob Paki, Slovenia	ŽNK Nona Pomurje	Slovenia
Grant	Jazmin	University of Houston	Forward, Midfielder	Atascocita , Texas	Texas Rush	United States
Gray	Emily	Virginia Tech University	Midfielder	Sewell, New Jersey	Penn Fusion Soccer Academy	United States
Green	Deanna	University of South Alabama	Midfielder, Defender	Madison, Mississippi	Mississippi Rush	United States
Griffith	Sarah	Purdue University	Forward, Midfielder	Naperville, Illinois	Team Chicago	United States
Grosso	Julia	University of Kentucky	Midfielder, Defender	Sunrise, Florida	Sunrise Sting	United States
Guion	Renee	Clemson University	Defender	Simpsonville, South Carolina	Carolina Elite Soccer Academy	United States
Halvorsen	Kaile	Santa Clara University	Forward, Midfielder	Honolulu, Hawaii	Surf Hawaii	United States
Hancuff	Hensley	Clemson University	Goalkeeper	Edmond, Oklahoma	Orlando Pride DA Club	United States
Hand	Jacqueline	Colorado College	Forward, Midfielder	Auckland, New Zealand	Auckland Football Federation	New Zealand
Hansen	Taylor	University of Montana	Defender	Cardiff by the Sea, California	San Diego Surf Soccer Club	United States
Harber	Jojo	Stanford University	Forward, Defender	Bellevue, Washington	Eastside FC/Crossfire ECNL	United States
Harding	Audrey	University of North Carolina – Wilmington	Forward, Midfielder	Akron, Ohio	Ohio Premier	United States
Harkleroad	Emma	University of South Dakota	Goalkeeper	Geneva, Illinois	Strikers Fox Valley	United States
Harr	Jordie	Texas Tech University	Forward, Midfielder	Sachse, Texas	Sting Soccer	United States
Harriot	Madiya	Vanderbilt University	Midfielder, Defender	Davie, Florida	Sunrise Sting	United States
Harris	Tiana	Kent State University	Defender	Whitby, Canada	FC Durham Academy	Canada
Heckman	Isabel	Murray State University	Defender	Powder Springs, Georgia	Southern Soccer Academy	United States
Hopcroft	Shanade	University of Colorado – Boulder	Forward, Midfielder	Aylesbury, England	Middlesex U17’s	United Kingdom
Howell	Jaelin	Florida State University	Midfielder	Lone Tree, Colorado	Real Colorado	United States
Hussen	Ameera	University of Washington	Forward, Midfielder	Federal Way, Washington	Crossfire Premier FC	United States
Hylton-Pelaia	Jayda	Arizona State University	Defender	Brampton, Ontario	Woodbridge Soccer Club	Canada
Ikeda	Angelique	Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville	Midfielder, Defender	Saint Charles, Missouri	Loufusz Soccer Club	United States
Irwin	Jamie	University of New Hampshire	Defender	Roxbury, New Jersey	STA Morris United	United States
Jacobs	Karen	San Bernardino Valley College	Forward	Redlands, California	Pateadores Soccer Club	United States
Jacobsen	Eden	University of Utah	Midfielder	North Salt Lake, Utah	La Roca	United States
Kajan	Zsanett	St. John’s University	Forward, Midfielder	Budapest, Hungary	Ferencvarosi Torna Club	Hungary
Kearse-Thomas	Olivia	Arizona State University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Phoenix, Arizona	Del Sol	United States
Kelley-Lusk	Hannah	West Texas A&M University	Forward	Farmington, New Mexico	N/A	United States
Killman	Jenna	Western Washington University	Forward, Midfielder	Olympia, Washington	Washington Premier FC	United States
Kirton	Alexa	University of New Mexico	Midfielder	Sammamish, Washington	Eastside FC	United States
Knox	Alexus	Georgia State University	Defender	Powder Springs, Georgia	BUSA ECNL	United States
Kowalski	Amanda	Butler University	Midfielder, Defender	Arlington Heights, Illinois	Eclipse Select Soccer Club	United States
Kouzelos	Gabrielle	University of Louisville	Goalkeeper	Wadsworth, Ohio	Internationals Soccer Club	United States
Kuehn	Athena	Lousiana State University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Colorado Springs, Colorado	Colorado Pride Predators	United States/Germany
LaMacchia	Elaina	University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee	Forward, Midfielder, Defender, Goalkeeper	Mequon, Wisconsin	SC Waukesha	United States
Lampe	Brooke	University of North Texas	Forward, Midfielder, Defender, Goalkeeper	Mansfield, Texas	Solar Chelsea ZuaZua	United States
Laurendeau	Marika	The College of Saint Rose	Goalkeeper	Sainte-Julie, Canada	CS Longueuil	Canada
Layne	Emerson	Loveland High School	Forward, Midfielder	Fort Collins, Colorao	Real Colorado	United States
Leal	Amanda	Cal State University – Stanislaus	Goalkeeper	Mountain House, California	West Coast Soccer Club	United States
Lee	Shannon Claire	George Mason University	Defender	Haymarket, Virginia	McLean ECNL	United States
Lewis	Sofia	Minot State University	Forward, Midfielder	Minot, North Dakota	Minot Soccer Association	United States
Livingstone	Kelly Ann	Georgetown University	Midfielder, Defender	Glen Ridge, New Jersey	Match Fit Academy	United States
Loughman	Raleigh	University of Michigan	Midfielder	San Diego, California	MVLA Soccer Club	United States/Argentina
Lucci	Carolina	Chowan University	Forward	Monaca, Pennsylvania	North United	United States
Lundgren	Jenna	Western Illinois University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Elmhurst, Illinois	Oak Brook Soccer Club, Eclipse	United States
Martin	Molly	University of Mississippi	Forward, Midfielder	Memphis, Tennessee	Memphis Lobos/BUSA	United States
Mayer	Anna	Missouri Western State University	Goalkeeper	Duluth, Minnesota	East Select Soccer	United States
McCarthy	Robyn	Cal State University – Fresno	Midfielder, Defender	Brentwood, California	West Coast Soccer Club	United States
McClure	Megan	Arkansas State University	Goalkeeper	Webster Groves, Missouri	St. Louis Scott Gallagher (ECNL) and United Women’s Soccer (UWS)	United States
McLaughlin	Christine	Christendom College	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Fauquier, Virginia	Virginia Soccer Association	United States
McManus	Mikenna	Northeastern University	Defender	Lake Forest, California	West Coast Futbol Club	United States
McMillan	Caylon	Stephen F. Austin State University	Midfielder	Forney, Texas	FC Dallas 98G ECNL	United States
McNally	Natalie	Western Carolina University	Defender	Grayslake, Illinois	Greater Libertyville Soccer Association	United States
McNulty	Hannah	Providence College	Forward	Warwick, Rhode Island	Bayside FC	United States
Medina	Jodi	Alabama A&M University	Goalkeeper	Coral Springs, Florida	Coral Springs United FC	United States
Menta	Jenna	Wake Forest University	Forward, Midfielder	Somers, New York	New York Soccer Club	United States
Miagkova	Alina	Syracuse University	Defender	Lipetsk, Russia	Lokomotiv Moscow	Russia
Mitchell	Alexis	University of South Dakota	Midfielder	Lee’s Summit, Missouri	Sporting Blue Valley ECNL	United States
Morgan	Charmé	Oklahoma State University	Midfielder, Defender	Frisco, Texas	Dallas Texans	United States
Moser	Louisa	George Mason University	Forward, Goalkeeper	Fairfax, Virginia	SC Freiburg	Germany
Murnin	Madison	University of Central Florida	Midfielder, Defender	Jacksonville, Florida	Jacksonville FC	United States
Myers	Erica	University of Tennessee – Martin	Goalkeeper	Holland, Ohio	Metro FC Toledo	United States
Nabet	Lily	Duke University	Midfielder	Los Angeles, California	Real So Cal	United States
Nasello	Sydny	University of South Florida	Defender	Millstone Township, New Jersey	FC Copa Academy	United States
Ochoa Rodriguez	Paola	Missouri Valley College	Forward, Midfielder	Sioux City, Iowa	South Sioux Soccer	United States
Ordoñez	Diana	University of Virginia	Forward	Prosper, Texas	FC Dallas	United States
Palacios	Randi	Liberty University	Goalkeeper	Ashburn, Virginia	Football Club of Virginia	United States
Pantaleao	Ermelinda	University of Louisiana – Monroe	Defender	Belo Horizonte, Brazil	N/A	Brazil
Pedroza	Siera	Hope International University	Forward, Midfielder, Goalkeeper	Tustin, California	Wolfpack	United States
Perez	Maia	University of Hartford	Goalkeeper	Kentwood, Michigan	Midwest United  FC Women	United States
Peters	Sarah	University of Kansas	Goalkeeper	Lee’s Summit, Missouri	Sporting DA	United States
Peterson	Karstyn	Utah State University	Forward, Defender	West Haven, Utah	La Roca	United States
Philpotts	Rachel	University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee	Midfielder, Defender	Linden, Michigan	Nationals Soccer Club	United States
Potts	Nicola	Ball State University	Forward, Midfielder	Nuneaton, England	Aston Villa Women	United Kingdom
Proulx	Lysianne	Syracuse University	Goalkeeper	Boucherville, Canada	AS Varennes	Canada
Provenzano	Gabby	Rutgers University	Midfielder, Defender	Sergeantsville, New Jersey	Players Development Academy	United States
Pulver	Sydney	Washington State University	Midfielder, Defender	Parker, Colorado	Real Colorado	United States
Pursey	Valentine	Western Carolina University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Ticehurst, England	Brighton and Hove Albion	United Kingdom
Rabot	Iris	James Madison University	Midfielder	Lyon, France	Olympique Lyonnais	France
Reiss de Araujo	Thais	University of North Florida	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Jacksonville, Florida	U-17/U-20 Brazilian National Team	Brazil
Reyes	Calista	Pepperdine University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Las Vegas, Nevada	Eagles Soccer Club	United States
Ries	Taryn	University of Portland	Forward	Ridgefield, Washington	FC Portland	United States
Ritchie-Williams	Chiara	Louisiana State University	Midfielder, Defender	London, England	Arsenal Women’s Football Club	United Kingdom
Rockwell	Jenna	University of the Cumberlands	Defener	London, Kentucky	Lexington FC	United States
Rodriguez	Izzy	Ohio State University	Midfielder, Defender	Canton, Michigan	Michigan Hawks	United States
Roelfsema	Mijke	Rice University	Midfielder, Defender	Schoonhoven, Netherlands	ADO Den Haag	Netherlands
Ross	Julianne	Northeastern University	Defender	Cumberland, Rhode Island	Boston Breakers/NEFC	United States
Salvador	Romane	California Baptist University	Goalkeeper	Lyon, France	Paris Saint-Germain PSG	France
Santos	Ashley	Illinois State University	Midfielder, Defender	Naperville, Illinois	Team Chicago Academy	United States
Sapp	Mercedes	University of North Florida	Goalkeeper	Orlando, Florida	Orlando City Elite	United States
Schill	MacKenzie	University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee	Forward, Midfielder	Pewaukee, Wisconsin	SC Wave	United States
Schimmer	Marleen	Grand Canyon University	Forward, Midfielder	Mainz, Germany	TSV Schott Mainz	Germany
Sever	Jelena	University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee	Forward, Midfielder	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	United Serbians Soccer Club	United States
Shepherd	Lucy	Hofstra University	Forward	Worcester, England	Aston Villa Women	United Kingdom
Silva Santos	Ana Paula	WIlliam Carey University	Midfielder	Sao Paulo, Brazil	N/A	Brazil
Skiba	Bridgette	Oregon State University	Goalkeeper	Portland, Oregon	Westside Timbers	United States
Sodoma	Sarah	Arkansas State University	Midfielder, Defender	St. Louis, Missouri	Lou Fusz Soccer Club	United States
Stackpole	Haleigh	University of Mississippi	Forward, Midfielder	Bowling Green, Kentucky	NC Courage Academy	United States
Stauffer	Annie	Transylvania University	Midfielder, Defender	Owensboro, Kentucky	Indy Fire Juniors ECNL	United States
Steigleder	Regan	Northwestern University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Iowa City, Iowa	Michigan Hawks	United States
Steinwascher	Cecelia	Grand Valley State University	Midfielder, Defender	Sterling Heights, Michigan	N/A	United States
Stephan	Dani	Michigan State University	Midfielder, Defender	DeWitt, Michigan	Michigan Hawks	United States
Stevenson	Erin	University of Maryland – Baltimore County	Midfielder, Defender	Sellersville, Pennsylvania	FC Bucks	United States
Suarez Quevedo	Sara	Chicago State University	Forward, Midfielder	Las Palmas, Spain	Union Viera	Spain
Talbot	Madeline	Stephen F. Austin State University	Goalkeeper	Shreveport, Louisiana	Shreveport United	United States
Talley	Jada	University of Southern California	Forward	Corona, California	So Cal Blues	United States
Taylor	Miriael	Hofstra University	Forward, Midfielder, Defender	Kent, England	Chelsea Women, Arsenal Women	United Kingdom
Thomas	Haley	Boston College	Midfielder, Defender	Kennewick, Washington	Three Rivers Soccer Club	United States
Thompson	Jordan	Gonzaga University	Defender	Sumner, Washington	Washington Premier FC	United States
Thompson	Kayla	Brown University	Goalkeeper	Austin, Texas	Lonestar Soccer Club	United States
Thron	Julietta	Northwestern University	Midfielder, Defender	Caldwell, New Jersey	Matchfit FC	United States
Tripp	Amber	Utah Valley University	Forward, Midfielder	Draper, Utah	Utah Avalanche	United States
Van der Jagt	Olivia	University of Washington	Midfielder	Kent, Washington	Eastside FC	United States
Villagrana	Yossimar	Butler Community College	Midfielder	Wichita, Kansas	Wichita Kansas Rush	United States
Walker	Ellie	University of Portland	Defender	Vancouver, Washington	FC Portland	United States
Wandt	Jennifer	Baylor University	Goalkeeper	Brookfield, Wisconsin	FC Wisconsin	United States
Weaver	Camille	Colorado College	Midfielder, Defender	Bend, Oregon	Bend FC Timbers	United States
Wegener	Emory	University of Georgia	Goalkeeper	Alpharetta, Georgia	Atlanta Fire United	United States
West	Alex	University of Vermont	Midfielder, Defender	New York, New York	Albertson Fury	United States
Westin	Emma	University of California – Berkeley	Forward, Midfielder	Stockholm, Sweden	Boo FF Sweden	Sweden
Whitmore	Lindsey	Southern Methodist University	Forward, Midfielder	Henderson, Nevada	Heat FC	United States
Winebrenner	Jenna	Texas Christian University	Defender	Kansas City, Missouri	Futura FC	United States
Wiseman	Ebony	James Madison University	Midfielder	King’s Lynn, England	Norwich City FC	United Kingdom
Wolfbauer	Madison	Bowling Green State University	Forward, Midfielder	Canton, Michigan	Michigan Hawks	United States
Zamiela	Chloe	University of South Florida	Forward, Defender	Stuart, Florida	Sunrise SC	United States
Zerva	Theoni	University of Louisiana – Monroe	Midfielder, Defender	Kalamata, Greece	PAOK	Greece
Zullo	Luciana	University of South Carolina	Forward, Midfielder	Flemington, New Jersey	PDA	United States
Zuniga	Jenna	Cal State University – Stanislaus	Midfielder, Defender	Manteca, California	Davis Legacy	United States

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins digs into what happened to Gotham FC's 2024 superteam — and whether the NWSL is built for such blockbuster rosters.

With the NJ/NY club kicking off with the same record over the first seven matches in 2025 as the 2024 roster achieved, Watkins uses Gotham to explore "a case study of how a super team does not work in the NWSL."

First, Watkins explains exactly what is meant by a superteam, defining the concept as being rooted in procuring massive talent through free agency — a strategy Gotham employed by signing four former No. 1 NWSL Draft picks and current USWNT veterans Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, and Crystal Dunn to build their 2024 superteam.

"Gotham is a perfect example of why super teams do not translate to the NWSL," says Watkins. "They were very good last year, they finished top four, they make it to the semifinals. They didn't win anything."

The reasons for the failure of a superteam in the NWSL, according to Watkins, include the pressures faced by players balancing the needs of their stacked club roster with their individual development needs to stay atop the international game.

"They need to be playing a certain amount of minutes. They need to be playing in certain positions," notes Watkins. "These players get notes from their US coaches on what they want to see. It's not a failing of anybody's character. It's their job, it's their livelihood. To get back to that level, they have to kind of be of two minds of what's best for them."

NWSL business model rewards parity over superteams

Watkins also digs into the role of the salary cap in NWSL teams' ability to retain top talent.

"It really doesn't seem like the salary cap is going anywhere, and that means the NWSL isn't in a place to reward established stars for the wages that they probably deserve," says Watkins.

Comparing the US league to European dynasties like Chelsea, Lyon, and Barcelona, Watkins explains, "That is not what the NWSL is built for. It's not really what the NWSL wants."

Instead, argues Watkins, the NWSL rewards "teams that build in a different way," by scouting less recognized talent and "building them up into All-Stars" — a "bottom-up" method that creates the league's most successful teams.

It's a lesson that Gotham is learning with the equitable success the club is experiencing this season, despite losing a significant amount of big-name talent from their 2024 superteam in the offseason.

"They haven't really stumbled in the wake of these departures, proving my point," remarks Watkins.

Ultimately, "the NWSL has decided that they don't really want the Gothams of the world," argues Watkins.

"They don't want roster stashing or this top-down talent that can really bulldoze a league. That is the opposite of what the NWSL is selling. And I think that's both cool and a little bit of a harder road sometimes."

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

The city of Columbia, South Carolina, honored South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley with her very own statue this week, reflecting the three-time national champion leader's legacy as a change-maker in women's college basketball.

The 14-foot bronze likeness, which sits just next to the university's alumni center, reflects Staley's championship prowess, with the statue showing the coach on a ladder holding a cut-down basketball net.

"This statue is a tribute, but it really doesn't encompass what she's delivered for us as a community, what she's done for women’s sports, what she's done for young people, especially young women,” Columbia mayor Daniel Rickenmann told reporters before Wednesday's ceremony.

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A legendary coaching resume

After her decorated pro career, the six-time WNBA All-Star and three-time Olympic gold medalist took over the South Carolina coaching job in 2008, building the program into the behemoth it is today.

To date, Staley has led the Gamecocks to nine SEC regular-season titles and nine conference tournament crowns as well as seven Final Fours — including appearances in the last five NCAA tournament semifinals.

The four-time National Coach of the Year is far from done, though.

Staley, who turns 55 years old on Sunday, inked a contract in January to remain with South Carolina through the 2029/30 NCAA season.

That blockbuster deal — worth over $25 million — makes her the highest paid women's college basketball coach in history.

Staley agreed to statue to increase representation

Staley's statue now joins one of former star player and now reigning three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, who saw her own likeness installed outside Colonial Life Arena in 2021.

Though initially opposed to becoming a bronze sculpture, Staley later acquiesced to the honor in order to boost the currently low numbers of US statues depicting women, particularly Black women.

"I agreed to the statue not for me, but for the girl who will walk by one day and wonder who I was," Staley said at the Wednesday unveiling. "Maybe she'll look me up. She'll see that I did some things in basketball, of course — but I hope she sees much more."

"I hope she sees that I was a champion for equity and equality. That in my own way, I pushed for change... not as someone perfect or extraordinary, but as a regular girl who used her gifts to open doors so other girls wouldn't have to knock as hard."

The legendary 1999 World Cup-winning USWNT is heading to Hollywood, with Netflix announcing Wednesday that the streamer is in development on The 99'ers, a feature film based on Jeré Longman’s book The Girls of Summer: The US Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World.

Like Longman's book, the film will chronicle the USWNT's journey to winning the 1999 World Cup before a then-US record crowd at the Rose Bowl — as well as the ongoing impact that victory has on women's sports worldwide.

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Helmed by Liza Chasin from 3dot Productions as well as a production team that includes actor Ryan Reynolds, who co-owns third-tier UK men's soccer club Wrexham AFC, the film will be directed by Nicole Kassell.

Kassell, who's resume includes The Leftovers and The Americans, earned both an Emmy and Director's Guild Award for her work on the HBO series Watchmen.

Screenwriters Katie Lovejoy and Dana Stevens, who wrote Netflix's Love at First Sight and The Woman King, respectively, will pen The 99'ers script.

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Netflix boosts women's soccer content in lead-up to World Cups

This is far from Netflix's first foray into women's sports, with the streamer boasting documentaries on tennis star Naomi Osaka and gymnastics legend Simone Biles, among others — and a new series on F1 Academy women drivers dropping later this month.

Even more, the content giant is all-in on women's soccer. After chronicling the 2023 World Cup journey of the USWNT in a four-part docuseries, Netflix closed 2024 by snagging the exclusive US broadcast rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups.

While Netflix acquired the rights to Longman's book in 2020, the timing of The 99'ers development is likely an effort to bolster the broadcaster's women's soccer content in the lead-up to the upcoming World Cups.

The Chicago Stars parted ways with second-year manager Lorne Donaldson on Wednesday, as the last-place NWSL club attempts to bounce back from a dismal 1-5-0 start to the 2025 season.

"We are grateful to Lorne Donaldson for the culture, respect, and sense of self-belief he helped build within our squad. We appreciate his work and wish him the best for the future," said Stars GM Richard Feuz in a club statement.

Stars assistant coach Masaki Hemmi will step up in an interim capacity while the Chicago front office conducts its search for a replacement for Donaldson.

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Depleted roster a factor in Stars' struggles

Following an eighth-place finish and short-lived playoff push in 2024, a relatively dormant offseason transfer window, and a somewhat controversial rebrand, Chicago has struggled to find results this season — due in part to a dwindling lineup.

The team's opening day roster featured only six defenders — including an injured Natalia Kuikka, who has yet to make her 2025 club debut after suffering a knee sprain while on international duty with Finland in February.

Superstar USWNT forward Mallory Swanson also remains out indefinitely, having missed the first six games of the NWSL season due to personal reasons.

When points aren't coming, front offices often try to shake things up with sideline changes — though Chicago's troubles appear to extend far beyond the former head coach.