Claire Emslie Archives - Just Women's Sports

Of the 27 players called into the October training camp for the U.S. women’s national team, 17 are set to compete in the NWSL playoffs.

Every one of the six teams competing in the postseason will send players to the USWNT for its friendlies against Colombia on Oct. 26 and 29. The Portland Thorns lead the way, with five players heading to the national team — not counting captain Christine Sinclair, who will play for Canada as her career winds down.

The NWSL playoffs kick off at 10 p.m. ET Friday, as the OL Reign host Angel City FC in the first round. After the quarterfinal round, the postseason will take a one-week break to allow players to join their national teams for the October international window.

Among the playoff teams, Angel City FC features the least number of international players, per team announcements. Just three are set to join their national teams in October – and two (Alyssa Thompson and M.A. Vignola) will remain here in the United States.

2023 NWSL playoffs: USWNT players

(1) Portland Thorns

Sam Coffey
Crystal Dunn
Olivia Moultrie
Becky Sauerbrunn
Sophia Smith

(2) San Diego Wave

Alex Morgan
Jaedyn Shaw
Naomi Girma

(3) North Carolina Courage

Casey Murphy, USWNT
Emily Fox, USWNT

(4) OL Reign

Alana Cook, USWNT
Sofia Huerta, USWNT
Emily Sonnett, USWNT

(5) Angel City FC

Alyssa Thompson, USWNT
M.A. Vignola, USWNT

(6) Gotham FC

Lynn Williams, USWNT
Midge Purce, USWNT

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2023 NWSL playoffs: International players