OL Reign Announces 2023 NWSL Preseason Roster
OL Reign has announced its roster ahead of the 2023 NWSL preseason, which kicks off Tuesday, January 24.
OL Reign’s current preseason roster is comprised of 30 players, including 26 players who are currently under contract for the 2023 season. Among the club’s returning players are all five players who were named to the 2022 NWSL Best XI First Team or Second Team: Defenders Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta, midfielders Jess Fishlock and Rose Lavelle and forward Megan Rapinoe.
“I am very pleased to bring back almost our entire roster that helped us win the NWSL Shield last season,” said head coach Laura Harvey. “We have a great balance of veteran players who understand the demands of this league and what it takes to win under pressure, a group of returning rookies and a few new players who we think have great potential to succeed. I’m excited to see how this roster begins to mesh as we head into preseason.”
The Reign also picked up the existing options for forward Elyse Bennett and defender Emily Sonnett, keeping both players signed with the team through the 2023 season.
OL Reign players that re-signed with the team ahead of the 2023 season include defender Lu Barnes, forward Megan Rapinoe and midfielders Marley Canales and Nikki Stanton. The Reign also announced at the end of last season that it exercised the options on midfielders Olivia Athens and Olivia Van der Jagt, as well as goalkeepers Claudia Dickey and Laurel Ivory. In addition, defenders Ryanne Brown and Alyssa Malonson have both returned to club after being on loan in Denmark with FC Nordsjælland in the Danish Women’s League.
“As the defending NWSL Shield winners, we have high expectations going into the 2023 season,” said general manager Nick Perera. “Our coaching staff utilized the entire roster very tactfully last season and we understand that will need to happen again with the World Cup taking place this year. We are extremely confident in our well-balanced roster, full of players who can step up at any given moment. We are eager to see them take the pitch soon!”
OL Reign will welcome four unsigned players to preseason training, including both of its 2023 NWSL Draft picks: University of Washington defender Shae Holmes, who was drafted with the 19th overall pick and University of Wisconsin-Madison midfielder Natalie Viggiano, who was selected with the 46th pick. The other two players joining the squad for preseason as non-roster invitees are forwards Mariah Lee and McKenzie Weinert. Lee was with the Reign during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup and attended Stanford University from 2014 to 2017. Weinert is a graduate student from the University of Washington and appeared in 19 matches for the Huskies during the 2022 season.
OL Reign currently has four players (Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett) away on international duty with the United States Women’s National Team and will report to the club for preseason upon their return. Additionally, midfielder Angelina, who is expected to return to play during the 2023 NWSL season, remains on the season-ending injury list as a result of her ACL injury suffered in 2022.
Current OL Reign Roster by Position:
Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey, Laurel Ivory, Phallon Tullis-Joyce
Defenders (10): Lu Barnes, Ryanne Brown, Alana Cook (NYR), Sam Hiatt, Shae Holmes (DRAFT), Sofia Huerta (NYR), Jimena López (INT), Alyssa Malonson, Phoebe McClernon, Emily Sonnett (NYR)
Midfielders (9): Angelina (SEI), Olivia Athens, Marley Canales, Jess Fishlock, Rose Lavelle (NYR), Quinn, Nikki Stanton, Olivia Van der Jagt, Natalie Viggiano (DRAFT)
Forwards (8): Bethany Balcer, Elyse Bennett, Jordyn Huitema (INT), Tziarra King, Veronica Latsko, Mariah Lee (NRI), Megan Rapinoe (NYR), McKenzie Weinert (NRI)
INT – International Slot
DRAFT – Players selected in 2023 NWSL Draft but not signed to a contract
NYR – Player has not yet reported for preseason training
NRI – Non-roster invitee
SEI - Season-ending injury list