A Few Winners & Losers Of The 2021 NWSL Expansion Draft

Another year means another NWSL expansion draft, and ahead of the NWSL’s 10th year we finally open up California with Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC starting to form their rosters.

Off the top of the broadcast — and we knew this prior — we hear that USSF is no longer paying the salaries of US international players. This is a huge step for the league, just like a baby bird taking its’ first solo flight, can the league stand on its own without the parachute of USSF paying the salaries of the best players in the world. However, even if salaries don’t keep up, it still means the end of the international allocation order… which is a complete positive for the players.

The Expansion Draft saw Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC pick up some great value that maybe exploited some top heavy rosters for value picks that will help both teams build competitive rosters from day 1.

Alright, let’s get into this.

Winner NC Courage

The Courage had a tough task ahead of them this offseason; knowing that so much international quality could be picked apart if they didn’t act proactively. Curt Johnson, and the Courage FO did a great job harnessing value out of players they could have lost for 0 compensation.