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Top 10 NWSL free agents: Tobin Heath, Julie Ertz among most intriguing

Tobin Heath is one of the biggest names on the market, pending he recovery from knee surgery. (Stephen Brashear/USA TODAY Sports)

We’ve got two more weekends of postseason play before the 2022 NWSL calendar officially closes for the season, but it’s never too early to speculate about the league’s first free agency period.

NWSL players won the rights to free agency as part of the league’s first collective bargaining agreement, ratified before the 2022 season. Those with six years of service became unrestricted free agents on Aug. 26, though the official courting process likely won’t begin until the season ends.

While more intricate free agency opportunities will come in 2023, the rules this year are relatively simple: If you’ve played in the league for six years and are out of a contract, you can look wherever you want. On Monday, an independent arbitrator ruled in favor of the NWSL Players Association, adding 22 more players to the list of free agents and casting aside team options that had plagued the league in the past.

By nature of how long an NWSL player must compete to be eligible for free agency, many athletes on the list are core pieces of their current clubs. Not everyone will be looking to make a move, but here are 10 of the most intriguing names available.

Debinha, North Carolina Courage

Debinha is one of the biggest stars who might be inclined to make a jump. The midfielder has already won three NWSL Shields and two championships as part of the Courage, and she might want to test the waters as North Carolina maneuvers through a strategic rebuild.

She won’t lack for offers. As an attacking generator whose defensive work rate is underrated, Debinha can be one of the best players in the world in the right situation.

Most of Chicago’s midfield

The Red Stars have a whopping seven players eligible for free agency in the defense, midfield and attack. As more stories of off-field dysfunction at the club continue to emerge, a number of Chicago lifers could look for new landing spots in 2022.

The midfield trio of Danny Colaprico, Morgan Gautrat and Vanessa DiBernardo stand out, not only because of their years of service in Chicago (DiBernardo and Colaprico have never played elsewhere,) but also because they are the glue that holds the Red Stars’ formation together.

Tobin Heath, OL Reign

Heath’s status is particularly intriguing since the attacker could go in almost any direction as she works her way back onto the pitch. Heath’s short-term contract with OL Reign this season proved indicative of the last few years of her career: She is incredibly effective when she’s on the field, but injuries continue to hamper her production.

One of the biggest stars in women’s soccer, Heath has only ever played on the West Coast. It seems possible that one of the California clubs will be interested in offering her a one-year deal, pending Heath’s recovery from knee surgery in the offseason.

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Julie Ertz hasn't played in an NWSL game since suffering a knee injury with the Red Stars last May. (Stephen Brashear/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Julie Ertz, Angel City FC

If a return to professional soccer is imminent for the two-time World Cup champion, this free agency period will be telling. The midfielder hasn’t appeared on the field since the Tokyo Olympics and hasn’t played club soccer since May 2021, after suffering a knee injury and then going on maternity leave.

Angel City acquired Ertz’s rights in a trade with Chicago last December that also brought Sarah Gorden to Los Angeles, but that proved to be more of a hopeful attempt at calling her up to the squad. Now, they’ll have to see if she’s inclined to return to the sport at all.

Marta, Orlando Pride

Marta has been out of the public consciousness this season as she rehabs from an ACL tear, but never count out one of the legends of the game. For the Orlando Pride, Marta’s free agency comes at an interesting time.

You would assume that her resume and leadership ability would make her club of the last six years eager to re-sign the forward. But Orlando is in the middle of a substantial rebuild, having moved many of their most prominent stars last offseason. The club might have different goals in mind than in past years and encourage Marta to explore free agency as a result.

Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Barnes, OL Reign

You’re not fooling me. Depending on their fitness and desire to return for another season, Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Barnes are not playing anywhere other than Seattle next year.

Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns

See above. Barring a shocking opening of a team in Vancouver prior to the 2023 regular season, Sinclair will stay in Portland.

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Onumonu was named to the 2021 NWSL Best XI Second Team after a standout season with Gotham. (Craig Mitchelldyer/USA TODAY Sports)

Ifeoma Onumonu, NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham had a rough go of it in the 2022 regular season, finishing at the bottom of the league table. They’ll almost certainly have to make some tough roster decisions in the coming months, and a player of Onumonu’s talent might be looking for a more stable situation.

Onumonu can play on the wing or in the middle of the attack. After three seasons with Gotham, the 28-year-old might be inclined to field calls from more established coaches to take her game to the next level as she prepares to represent Nigeria at the 2023 World Cup.

Kristen Edmonds, Kansas City Current

Edmonds has had one of the most consistent seasons of her professional career in 2022, steadying the Current’s backline as they make a run to their first semifinal.

There are a number of NWSL teams that could use a seasoned defender, including Gotham FC. And as a New Jersey native, Edmonds is in a position to make a money move off a contract year. Edmonds has found a home in Kansas City, but the pull to seize a new opportunity might be too strong to pass up.

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Smith has played for four different NWSL clubs across seven seasons. (Rob Kinnan/USA TODAY Sports)

Abby Smith, Portland Thorns

Perhaps flying a bit under the radar, Thorns backup goalkeeper Abby Smith might look for a club where she can compete for a starting job. Bella Bixby has all but sealed her place as the Thorns starter for the foreseeable future.

Smith has a wealth of NWSL experience and a track record that deserves a look from teams in need of a veteran presence between the sticks. Smith would be on any expansion team’s shortlist, but maybe the move comes a year early.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

Indiana Fever Shoots for Redemption Against Seattle Storm

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark waits for an inbound pass during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Fever are looking to end a two-game losing streak. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The WNBA is back in action on Tuesday night, as the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm headline a series of games that could make or break the current trajectories of several 2025 title contenders.

Seeking an especially strong Tuesday performance is the Fever, as Indiana tries to snap a two-game losing streak against the increasingly confident Storm.

"There are going to be stretches that are really good and there's going to be stretches that aren't as good," Fever guard Caitlin Clark said on Sunday, addressing her recent shooting slump.

While the Indiana and Seattle clash will lead the Tuesday charge, the night will also see young squads sizing up WNBA juggernauts as bottom-table teams look for a leg up:

  • No. 8 Indiana Fever vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, 10 PM ET (NBA TV): The Fever need a win against a Storm side that can't seem to lose, as both teams eye the postseason.
  • No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 9 Washington Mystics, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The up-and-coming Mystics will attempt to hand the Lynx a second season loss, as Minnesota star Napheesa Collier remains day-to-day with lower back stiffness.
  • No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 12 Dallas Wings, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Dream are on a tear, surging up the standings as the struggling Wings attempt to take flight.
  • No. 10 LA Sparks vs. No. 11 Chicago Sky, 8 PM ET (NBA TV): The Sparks have cooled after a hot start while the Sky has yet to rev up, with both teams aiming to end a three-game losing streak on Tuesday night.

Teams across the league are hoping to make the most of every minute while also managing injury concerns and absences as the WNBA All-Star break looms.

WNBA Rookie of the Year Odds Shift as 2025 Draft Picks Heat Up

Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron guards Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers during a 2025 WNBA game.
Washington rookie Sonia Citron and first-year Dallas star Paige Bueckers are both off to hot starts in their WNBA careers. (Stephen Goslings/NBAE via Getty Images)

The WNBA Class of 2025 is already making its mark on the league, with first-year players stepping up and showing out while the Rookie of the Year race — and betting odds — heat up.

No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers has been just as good as advertised, with the Dallas Wings guard leading her class in both minutes played and points per game while also charting league-wide in assists per game, steals per game, and mid-range shots made.

DraftKings currently has Bueckers as the clear WNBA Rookie of the Year race frontrunner at -1,000, though the dynamic DC duo of guard Sonia Citron (+1,500) and forward Kiki Iriafen (+1,000) are quickly gaining traction.

Iriafen won May's WNBA Rookie of the Month award after a series of career-opening double-doubles, while her Washington Mystics teammate Citron has continued to execute in the clutch — most recently posting a career-high double-double performance of 27 points and 11 rebounds in last Sunday's 91-88 overtime win over Dallas.

"Not only is [Iriafen] holding her own, she's excelling," Citron told JWS earlier this month. "And seeing that is just incredible."

"Soni just does all the little things," Iriafen added. "She doesn't shortcut anything, she's doing the fundamentals, she doesn't cheat the game at all."

International Signings Ramp Up as Soccer Teams Break for Women’s Euro 2025

San Diego Wave forward María Sánchez dribbles the ball during a 2025 NWSL match.
San Diego forward María Sánchez is transferring to Liga MX side UANL Tigres. (John Matthew Harrison/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Though the NWSL hit the pause button this week, players worldwide are still on the move, as both European and US soccer teams use the midseason break to sharpen their lineups with international signings.

The NWSL has already seen one major departure, with the San Diego Wave announcing Monday that forward María Sánchez will return to her former Liga MX club UANL Tigres after nearly five years in the NWSL, with the Wave set to receive an undisclosed transfer fee in return.

"When the opportunity came to return to Tigres, I had to do a lot of inner searching, and I ultimately decided that returning to Liga MX Femenil and Tigres specifically was the best course of action for my career," the 29-year-old dual citizen and Mexico international player said in the Wave's release.

NWSL clubs are also setting their sights on European free agents, with the Washington Spirit bringing in Juventus forward Sofia Cantore last week — the first Italian signing in league history.

Also hopping aboard the player transaction carousel is new WSL side London City, with the top-flight debutantes inking OL Lyonnes midfielder and Dutch international Daniëlle van de Donk on Friday.

Meanwhile, van de Donk's wife and club teammate Ellie Carpenter is also potentially WSL-bound, with the defender reportedly nearing a deal that would see the Australian join Chelsea FC in return for the Blues sending Canadian international Ashley Lawrence to OL Lyonnes.

For their part, OL Lyonnes picked up defender Ingrid Engen from Barcelona as a free agent last week, adding the Norwegian international after snagging French forward and PSG's all-time leading scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto earlier this month.

With the most recent NWSL CBA abolishing traditional trade windows, expect even more international signings and roster reshufflings before the league resumes play on August 1st.

San Diego Wave Honors Alex Morgan with Jersey Retirement

San Diego Wave players applaud Alex Morgan as she exits the pitch during her final NWSL game in 2024.
Morgan won the NWSL Shield with San Diego in 2023. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

San Diego is paying tribute to one of their own, with the Wave announcing plans to retire the No. 13 jersey of NWSL and USWNT legend Alex Morgan on September 7th.

Still topping the team's all-time scoring leaderboard with 23 goals in just over two seasons with San Diego, the retired club captain will be the first-ever Wave player to receive the prestigious honor.

Morgan also led San Diego to the 2023 NWSL Shield as well as postseason appearances in the 2022 expansion club's first two seasons.

"Alex's legacy goes far beyond goals and accolades. She helped lay the foundation for this club and elevated the standard for what women's soccer is today," said Wave FC governor Lauren Leichtman in the team's Tuesday announcement.

"She made this city her home, inspired our fans and community, and helped define who we are," Leichtman continued. "Her impact will be felt for generations, and it's only fitting that her number becomes a permanent part of Wave FC history." 

Morgan joined the Southern California squad's ownership group just last month, saying "San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career."

How to attend the San Diego jersey retirement of Alex Morgan

San Diego will officially retire Morgan's No. 13 jersey during their home match against the Houston Dash at 8 PM ET on September 7th.

Tickets to the game will go on sale to the general public online at 6 PM ET on Tuesday.

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