Retroactive: NWSL Free Agents to Watch

Taylor Vincent
Taylor Vincent, Resident NWSL ExpertOctober 10, 2024
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Back in April Spotrac highlighted both unrestricted and restricted free agents who were candidates for extensions and re-signing with their current clubs through the regular season. Here’s where things have settled with just three matches left in the regular season. 

Of the nine unrestricted free agents, there was one retirement (Alex Morgan), four extensions (Janine Beckie, Abby Dahlkemper, Denise O’Sullivan, Morgan Weaver), two were re-signed following the opening of free agency in September (Debinha, Alyssa Naeher), and two are currently 2025 free agents (Marta, Christen Press).

For the six restricted free agents, due to the new CBA that was agreed upon, restricted free agency is no longer a thing and they are all considered unrestricted free agents. Ahead of the 2025 Free Agency opening, two re-signed with their current clubs (Alana Cook and Jordyn Huitema), one re-signed following the Free Agency opening (Michelle Alozie), and three remain free agents (Elyse Bennett, Kerolin, Delanie Sheehan).

9 Unrestricted Free Agents to Watch

1. Janine Beckie (Portland Thorns → Racing Louisville)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: Through 2026

August 21st, Beckie was traded from Portland to Louisville, and upon signing immediately signed a two year extension keeping her in Louisville through 2026. 

2. Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave → Bay FC)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: Through 2026 with a 2027 Mutual Option

August 26th, Dahlkemper was traded from San Diego to Bay FC, and upon signing immediately signed a two year extension with a third year option to keep her in the Bay. 

3. Debinha (Kansas City Current)

Original Contract: Through 2024 with a 2025 Mutual Option
Current Status: Though 2026 with a 2027 Mutual Option

Following the opening of 2025 Free Agency on September 1st, on September 6th Debinha agreed to a new contract through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027. 

4. Marta (Orlando Pride)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: 2025 Free Agent

Marta has continued her illustrious career through 2024 with an impressive eight goals and one assist thus far in the regular season, on top of earning a place in the NWSL’s Best XI for the month of September, and last weekend clinching the NWSL Shield for Orlando with her well placed penalty kick. 

5. Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave)

Original Contract: Through 2024 with a 2025 Club Option
Current Status: Retired + Maternity Leave

September 5th, Alex Morgan announced her retirement from professional soccer, that her final professional match would be September 8th, and that she was pregnant with her second child. 

6. Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: Through 2025

Following the opening of 2025 Free Agency on September 1st, on September 25th Naeher signed a one year contract with the Red Stars through 2025. 

7. Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: Through 2026

July 29th, O’Sullivan agreed to terms on a two-year contract extraction through the 2026 season. 

8. Christen Press (Angel City FC)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: 2025 Free Agent

July 31st, 781 days after tearing her ACL in June 2022, Press was removed from the SEI list and returned to the active roster. She made her playing debut in the Summer Cup, coming in as a substitute late in a match and then nailing her penalty kick after the final whistle. She’s played in six matches for Angel City, tallying up 84 minutes but still looking for her first goal in the run-of-play. 

9. Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns)

Original Contract: Through 2024 with a 2025 Club Option
Current Status: Through 2028

September 12th, Weaver agreed to a five-year extension keeping the forward in the Rose City through the 2028 season 

6 Restricted Free Agents to Watch

1. Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: Through 2026

September 9th, Alozie agreed to a new two-year contract that will commence on January 1st, 2025, keeping the forward in Houston through the 2026 season. 

2. Elyse Bennett (San Diego Wave)

Original Contract: Through 2024 with a 2025 Club Option
Current Status: 2025 Free Agent

San Diego has struggled with their identity throughout this season, now on their third coach of the season. Bennett has played in 13 matches for the Wave, earning one assist, and her 2025 option was not exercised prior to 2025 Free Agency opening up. 

3. Alana Cook (Seattle Reign → Kansas City Current)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: Through 2027

July 22nd, Cook was traded to Kansas City from Seattle, on August 29th she agreed to a three-year contract with the Current to keep her in Kansas City through 2027

4. Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: Through 2026 with a 2027 Mutual Option

September 5th, Huitema signed a two-year extension to keep her in Seattle through 2026 with the mutual option for 2027. 

5. Kerolin (North Carolina Courage)

Original Contract: Through 2024
Current Status: 2025 Free Agent

Although Kerolin played for Brazil in the 2024 Paris Olympics, she didn’t make her post-ACL tear NWSL debut until September 21st. She’s had three games played, spanning 128 minutes, and has scored a goal for the Courage. 

6. Delanie Sheehan (NJNY Gotham)

Original Contract: Through 2024 with a 2025 Club Option
Current Status: 2025 Free Agent

Sheehan has played in all 23 of Gotham’s regular season matches thus far this season, with 1870 minutes, two goals, and a 78% passing accuracy. Recently, Gotham-expert Jenna Tonelli wrote an article titled, “Why Delanie Sheehan might just be Gotham FC’s Most Valuable Player” talking about how the midfielder is the driving force behind Gotham’s success last year and continued success this year


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