World Cup 2023: Where to find USWNT stars on NWSL rosters

The 2023 NWSL season kicked off this weekend.

The league itself offers plenty of storylines, from the Portland Thorns’ quest for a repeat championship to Gotham FC’s roster overhaul. But the season also serves as the runway to this summer’s World Cup, for U.S. soccer fans and U.S. women’s national team players alike.

Where do you catch your favorite USWNT stars in the domestic league? Just Women’s Sports offers the breakdown, by player and by NWSL team.

Note: While the USWNT will need to cut its roster to 23 players for the World Cup, more players than that remain in contention for roster spots. These lists include players who have featured on recent USWNT camp rosters and players who are working their way back from injuries.

Where do USWNT stars play in the NWSL?

Goalkeepers

• Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
• Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)
• A.D. Franch (Kansas City Current)

Defenders

• Alana Cook (OL Reign)
• Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars)
• Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns)
• Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage)
• Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave)
• Sofia Huerta (OL Reign)
• Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current)
• Kelley O’Hara (Gotham FC)
• Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns)
• Emily Sonnett (OL Reign)

Midfielders

• Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns)
• Julie Ertz (Free agent)
• Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)
• Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave)
• Rose Lavelle (OL Reign)
• Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)
• Kristie Mewis (Gotham FC)
• Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit)
• Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)

Forwards

• Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit)
• Tobin Heath (Free agent)
• Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave)
• Christen Press (Angel City FC)
• Midge Purce (Gotham FC)
• Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign)
• Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit)
• Mallory Pugh Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
• Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)
• Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)

Which NWSL teams feature USWNT players?

Angel City FC

• Christen Press
• Alyssa Thompson

Chicago Red Stars

• Tierna Davidson
• Alyssa Naeher
• Mallory Pugh Swanson

Gotham FC

• Kristie Mewis
• Kelley O’Hara
• Midge Purce
• Lynn Williams

Houston Dash

• N/A

Kansas City Current

• A.D. Franch
• Hailie Mace

North Carolina Courage

• Emily Fox
• Casey Murphy

OL Reign

• Alana Cook
• Sofia Huerta
• Rose Lavelle
• Emily Sonnett
• Megan Rapinoe

Orlando Pride

• N/A

Portland Thorns

• Sam Coffey
• Crystal Dunn
• Becky Sauerbrunn

Racing Louisville

• N/A

San Diego Wave

• Naomi Girma
• Taylor Kornieck
• Alex Morgan

Washington Spirit

• Ashley Hatch
• Trinity Rodman
• Ashley Sanchez
• Andi Sullivan

Not in NWSL

• Julie Ertz (Free agent)
• Tobin Heath (Free agent)
• Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)
• Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)