OL Reign finalize roster ahead of 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup

Ahead of the start of the 2021 Challenge Cup on Friday, NWSL teams finalized their rosters today. OL Reign announced a roster of 29 players, of which two players do not count against the 28-player maximum roster size — forward Miranda Nild is on loan to Kristianstads DFF in Sweden for the rest of the year, and forward Ally Watt remains on the injured reserve list.

Midfielder Jess Fishlock’s loan to Reading of the Women’s Super League has ended, although she is joining the Wales National Team for the upcoming international window and will report to the Reign after the conclusion of the window on April 14. Karen Bardsley, Nicole Momiki, Megan Rapinoe and Quinn are also with their respective national teams for this window.

The club is currently using one international slot, for Costa Rican midfielder Shirley Cruz, and has four additional international slots available for use this season.

Among the updates to the roster, midfielder Kelcie Hedge has been removed from the injured reserve list and will be available for selection during the Challenge Cup. The team also signed midfielder Jenna Holtz as a National Team Replacement Player. Holtz is a native of Tacoma, graduated from Santa Clara in 2017, and played for the University of Guelph the following two years while in graduate school. She most recently played for Valadares Gaia FC in Portugal.

One other update was announced today — in conjunction with other US soccer leagues, the NWSL will be adopting a new concussion substitution rule for 2021, allowing teams to make up to two concussion-related substitutions per game in addition to five regular subs. Teams will also have the option of making an extra sub any time their opponent makes a concussion sub.

OL Reign’s first game of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup is on Friday, April 16 at 7 PM, hosting the Houston Dash. Tickets are on sale now.

Current OL Reign Roster by Position

Goalkeepers (3): Karen Bardsley, Ella Dederick, Cosette Morché

Defenders (8): Lauren Barnes, Amber Brooks, Celia, Steph Cox, Machaela George, Madison Hammond, Sam Hiatt, Kristen McNabb

Midfielders (9): Angelina, Shirley Cruz (INT), Jess Fishlock, Kelcie Hedge, Jenna Holtz (NTRP), Allie Long, Kristen McNabb, Quinn (ALL), Dani Weatherholt, Rosie White

Forwards (9): Bethany Balcer, Sofia Huerta, Tziarra King, Nicole Momiki, Miranda Nild (LOAN), Leah Pruitt, Megan Rapinoe (ALL), Jasmyne Spencer, Ally Watt (SEI)

KEY: INT – International Slot; SEI – Season Ending Injury List; ALL – US or Canadian Allocated Player; LOAN – Player on Loan; NTRP – National Team Replacement Player