OL Reign Announce 28-Player Roster for NWSL Challenge Cup
OL Reign today announced its roster for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, which starts on Saturday, June 27 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
OL Reign’s 28-player roster includes 16 players from the 2019 squad as well as 12 new signings, including defender Alana Cook, who joined on a short-term loan from PSG; forward Sofia Huerta and defender Amber Brooks, both of whom were acquired in an offseason trade with the Houston Dash; Costa Rican international midfielder Shirley Cruz; midfielder Dani Weatherholt, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Orlando Pride; Japanese international forward Nicole Momiki; defender Adrienne Jordan; and midfielder Kelcie Hedge, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NWSL College draft.
In addition, OL Reign has signed four non-roster invitees who trained with the club during its pre-season camp in Missoula, Montana: Goalkeeper Carly Nelson, who played for the University of Utah, defender Machaela George, from Santa Clara University, defender Madison Hammond, from Wake Forest University, and forward Mariah Lee, who played for both Stanford and Wake Forest during her college career. Nelson and Lee were signed to short-term agreements, George was signed as a National Team Replacement Player, while Hammond inked a two-year deal, with a club option for a third year.
The roster includes four players returning from long-term injury, including Jess Fishlock, Michelle Betos, Jasmyne Spencer, and Taylor Smith. Smith is expected to make her OL Reign debut at the tournament in Utah after she was acquired during the 2019 season while recovering from an ACL injury.
“We are feeling good about the squad we’ve assembled for the tournament. We have a strong core of experienced players surrounded by a group of extremely talented young players. Together, we believe they’ll give us the balance, depth, and quality needed to succeed at the Challenge Cup,” said OL Reign CEO Bill Predmore. “The time together in Montana has been incredibly valuable given the many changes to the squad. Farid has done a great job bringing the group together, so we are excited to see how the team performs in Utah.”
OL Reign 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Roster by Position
Goalkeepers (3): Michelle Betos, Casey Murphy, Carly Nelson
Defenders (10): Lauren Barnes, Amber Brooks, Alana Cook, Steph Cox, Machaela George, Madison Hammond, Celia Jiménez Delgado (INT), Adrienne Jordan, Kristen McNabb, Taylor Smith
Midfielders (8): Morgan Andrews, Shirley Cruz (INT), Jess Fishlock, Kelcie Hedge, Allie Long (FED), Rebecca Quinn (INT), Dani Weatherholt, Rosie White (INT)
Forwards (7): Bethany Balcer, Sofia Huerta, Darian Jenkins, Mariah Lee, Nicole Momiki, Jasmyne Spencer, Jodie Taylor
INT – International Slot
FED – U.S. Soccer Federation Player
In addition to the 28 players on the club’s NWSL Challenge Cup Roster, OL Reign has three additional players under contract who will not play in the Utah tournament.
As previously reported, Megan Rapinoe has elected to forgo playing in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
“Megan let us know that she has decided not play in the tournament. Like all NWSL players, she was given the option to participate. Farid and I would love to have her with the club for the tournament, but we understand and respect her decision,” said Predmore. “We have had to find ways to win without Megan in the past and are ready to do so again at the Challenge Cup. Megan is the only OL Reign player that has elected not to participate in the tournament, so despite her absence, Farid and I are confident the team has all the depth and quality it needs to succeed.”
Defender Julia Ashley will also be unavailable for the NWSL Challenge Cup. Ashley, who was acquired by OL Reign in an offseason trade with Sky Blue FC, was placed on the 45-day disabled list on March 11 due to a back injury suffered while playing in the Australian W-League prior to joining OL Reign. Ashley’s injury prevented her from participating in pre-season training, but she is expected be available to train with OL Reign in early August.
The club also announced that it has acquired forward Leah Pruitt, who was waived by the North Carolina Courage on June 19. Pruitt, a 2019 graduate of USC, was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Courage in the 2019 NWSL College Draft. Pruitt is recovering from an injury to her knee and will be unavailable for the tournament. Pruitt was placed on the disabled list immediately after being acquired by the club.
“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to play for such a high caliber club,” said Pruitt. “Words cannot describe my excitement to get out on the field for the OL Reign. See you soon Washington!”
OL Reign expects to return to training in Tacoma after the conclusion of the NWSL Challenge Cup. At that time, the club will be joined by defender Sam Hiatt, who was selected by the club in the 4th Round of the 2020 NWSL College Draft. Hiatt has been recovering from an injury sustained while playing for Stanford. In addition, Meg Brant, who was also selected in the 4th round of the 2020 NWSL College Draft, is expected to resume training with OL Reign in August.
Defender Schuyler DeBree, who joined the club on January 15, 2019, has announced that she will be retiring from professional soccer.
“I am so grateful for everything soccer has given me, and all the people who have been a part of the journey. At the Reign, it was an honor to share the field with some of the best players and coaches in the world and be a part of the organization as a whole,” said DeBree. “For the next 2 years, I will be pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Engineering at the Gillings School of Public Health, UNC, Chapel Hill.”
OL Reign begins the preliminary round of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup against Sky Blue FC on Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. PT. Fans in the U.S. and Canada can view the entire tournament on CBS All Access, while fans outside the U.S. and Canada can stream the entire tournament on Twitch.