Reign FC 2016 roster taking shape one month into off-season

One month past the NWSL title game and Seattle Reign FC have kept busy. After retirements, a trade, an expansion draft, and a return to Europe Seattle has seventeen names on the roster.

Gone are Stephanie Cox and Mariah Bullock to retirement. Both players leave large roles to fill. Cox with her regular presence in Seattle’s starting back four has been a huge part of the stability that has lead to back to back NWSL Shield wins. Bullock was a regular contributor off the bench and provided the exclamation point final goal in the semi-final versus Washington. Without additions it would appear Elli Reed would move back to the starting back line, but other options could come about in the the next few months.

Also gone is Katrine Veje back to Europe. Good player, brought a nice change of pace and dynamic play down the wing and was a big contributor during Bev Yanez’ late season absences due to injury.

The question of Abby Wambach ever wearing a Reign jersey was answered when she also retired. Seattle rolled the dice a bit and never saw her on the pitch. Although a veteran who probably would not be a full-time player, her presence and ability in the air could have proven valuable.

Seattle played the expansion draft rules to their advantage in a trade with Houston that dealt Amber Brooks for Meghan Klingenberg. Although Klingenberg would have fit really, really well into the Seattle back four, the move allowed Seattle to essentially choose who they lost while giving Brooks an opportunity at minutes in Houston. Once the trade was made Seattle then left Klingenberg unprotected in the expansion draft and as she is a USWNT allocation no other Seattle player was then available in the draft. When the expansion draft list was released Seattle protected its two USA internationals, Bev Yanez, Lauren Barnes, and five of the six players on loan this winter. Had the Brooks for Klingenberg deal not came about a player like Brooks and even a Merritt Mathias or a Dani Foxhoven would have been at risk.

There are six players out on loan this winter, mostly to Australia, with Reign press releases indicating all are expected back in time for 2016. The indication is that Seattle will not see much change in its midfield, which also speaks to the Amber Brooks trade. Brooks’ photo profile was quickly removed from the Reign FC website while Klingenberg’s was never added. Clearly, the trade and expansion draft expectation went as expected.

Reign FC will now be able to move forward with what appears to be minimal international intrusion to their roster for the Rio Olympics in August. The goalkeeper situation remains the same as 2015, although the outcome of Hope Solo’s legal situation could affect that should things go poorly in the courts for her.

Up next, Seattle will have the opportunity to take a look at the NWSL college draft, perhaps bring in another international, and even see what Havanna Solaun can do returning from injury. By protecting a good portion of its core, even with some losses, Seattle has what appears to be minimal disruption to its roster as it goes for a third shield and that elusive championship trophy.