Player distribution sees NWSL take shape

The new National Women’s Soccer League in the USA took a significant step towards its inaugural season as 55 North American international players were distributed among the eight clubs in the division. The allocation saw 23 American players, 16 Canadians and 16 Mexicans split between the sides, in a “fair distribution of talent across all eight team” by a panel of experts. The decisions were made based on a combination of player quality and stated preferences by teams and players. “This allocation process is obviously a big step in building the foundation for this league and each of the teams will benefit from a group of very talented players,” said NWSL Executive Director Cheryl Bailey. The USA’s entire gold medal-winning Olympic squad has been allocated to the league, with the likes of FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2012 Abby Wambach lining-up at Western New York Flash alongside Carli Lloyd, who scored the winner in the London 2012 final. Top scorer at the summer games and bronze medal-winner Christine Sinclair has been assigned to Portland Thorns FC, with the Canadian captain teaming up in the forward line with the USA’s Alex Morgan – who was voted as 2012’s third best player at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala. Washington Spirit, FC Kansas City, Sky Blue FC, Seattle Reign, Boston Breakers and Chicago Red Stars make up the remaining sides in the NWSL, which replaces the Women’s Professional League after folding in April 2012. The clubs’ squads will be bolstered further after the college draft which takes place on 18 January ahead of the league kicking off in April 2013. NWSL player distribution in full: Boston Breakers Sydney Leroux (USA) Heather Mitts (USA) Heather O'Reilly (USA) Adriana Leon (CAN) Rhian Wilkinson (CAN) Anisa Guajardo (MEX) Cecilia Santiago (MEX) Chicago Red Stars Shannon Boxx (USA) Amy LePeilbet (USA) Keelin Winters (USA) Erin McLeod (CAN) Carmelina Moscato (CAN) Maribel Dominguez (MEX) Dinora Garza (MEX) FC Kansas City Nicole Barnhart (USA) Lauren Cheney (USA) Becky Sauerbrunn (USA) Desiree Scott (CAN) Lauren Sesselmann (CAN) Renae Cuellar (MEX) Marylin Diaz (MEX) Portland Thorns FC Rachel Buehler (USA) Tobin Heath (USA) Alex Morgan (USA) Luz Saucedo (MEX) Marlene Sandoval (MEX) Karina LeBlanc (CAN) Christine Sinclair (CAN) Seattle Reign FC Megan Rapinoe (USA) Amy Rodriguez (USA) Hope Solo (USA) Kaylyn Kyle (CAN) Emily Zurrer (CAN) Jenny Ruiz (MEX) Teresa Noyola (MEX) Sky Blue FC Jill Loyden (USA) Kelley O'Hara (USA) Christie Rampone (USA) Sophie Schmidt (CAN) Melanie Booth (CAN) Monica Ocampo (MEX) Lydia Rangel (MEX) Washington Spirit Ashlyn Harris (USA) Ali Krieger (USA) Lori Lindsey (USA) Robin Gayle (CAN) Diana Matheson (CAN) Alina Garciamendez (MEX) Teresa Worbis (MEX) Western New York Flash Carli Lloyd (USA) Abby Wambach (USA) Bryana McCarthy (CAN) Jodi-Ann Robinson (CAN) Veronica Perez (MEX) Pamela Tajonar (MEX) From : Fifa