NWSL Announces Players Selected in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft
November 13, 2020 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO - The National Women's Soccer League today announced the list of players selected by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft. Louisville was permitted to select up to two players, or one U.S. Allocated Player, from each NWSL team, and a total of two U.S. Allocated Players in total from all teams. The Chicago Red Stars sent forwards Yuki Nagasato and Savannah McCaskill to Louisville in exchange for full roster protection in the expansion draft, therefore did not have any additional players selected on Thursday night. For the full 2020 Expansion Draft process and procedures, click here.
With their first pick, Racing Louisville FC selected rookie defender Addisyn Merrick from the North Carolina Courage. Merrick was drafted 28th overall in the 2020 NWSL College Draft and started eight of North Carolina's nine matches this season. The University of Kansas alum led all Courage rookie players in minutes played in 2020. Louisville also selected midfielder Lauren Milliet from North Carolina who made her first pro start at the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. She started in all four NWSL Fall Series matches for the Courage earning her first career assist against Orlando on October 17.
Other notable additions to Racing's inaugural roster are 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Champions Erin Simon and Cece Kizer from the Houston Dash, and Australian international forwards Caitlin Foord and Alanna Kennedy from the Orlando Pride. Louisville strengthened their defense by selecting goalkeepers Katie Lund from the Washington Spirit and Michelle Betos from OL Reign who was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015. Rounding out the night, Racing bolstered their roster by obtaining the playing rights to U.S. Women's National Team forwards Tobin Heath from Portland Thorns FC and Christen Press from Utah Royals FC. Both Heath and Press are currently playing for Manchester United Women of the FA Women's Super League through the 2020-2021 season. With these final two selections of U.S. Allocated Players, both Utah and Portland will each receive a $75,000 allocation money grant. See below for the full list of drafted players.
The NWSL Trade Window opens Friday, November 13, 2020 at 9am ET.
2020 NWSL Expansion Draft Picks (in the order of selection)
ADDISYN MERRICK
Position: Defender
Acquired from: North Carolina Courage
College: University of Kansas
Nationality: USA
Draft: 2020; Rd. 4, Pick 1
JULIA ASHLEY
Position: Defender
Acquired from: OL Reign
College: University of North Carolina
Nationality: USA
Draft: 2019; Rd. 1, Pick 6
JENNIFER CUDJOE
Position: Midfielder
Acquired from: Sky Blue FC
College: N/A
Nationality: GHA
Draft: Undrafted
CECE KIZER
Position: Forward
Acquired from: Houston Dash
College: University of Mississippi
Nationality: USA
Draft: 2019; Rd. 2, Pick 4
KATIE LUND
Position: Goalkeeper
Acquired from: Washington Spirit
College: University of Arkansas
Nationality: USA
Draft: Undrafted
ALANNA KENNEDY
Position: Defender
Acquired from: Orlando Pride
College: N/A
Nationality: AUS
Draft: Undrafted
LAUREN MILLIET
Position: Midfielder
Acquired from: North Carolina Courage
College: Colorado College
Nationality: USA
Draft: 2019; Rd. 2, Pick 5
KALEIGH RIEHL
Position: Defender
Acquired from: Sky Blue FC
College: Penn State University
Nationality: USA
Draft: 2020; Rd. 2, Pick 2
CAITLIN FOORD
Position: Forward
Acquired from: Orlando Pride
College: N/A
Nationality: AUS
Draft: Undrafted
KATIE MCCLURE
Position: Forward
Acquired from: Washington Spirit
College: University of Kansas
Nationality: USA
Draft: 2020; Rd. 3, Pick 5
ERIN SIMON
Position: Defender
Acquired from: Houston Dash
College: Syracuse University
Nationality: USA
Draft: Undrafted
MICHELLE BETOS
Position: Goalkeeper
Acquired from: OL Reign
College: University of Georgia
Nationality: USA
Draft: 2013 Supplemental; Rd. 5, Pick 2
TOBIN HEATH
Position: Forward
Acquired from: Portland Thorns FC
College: University of North Carolina
Nationality: USA
Draft: Undrafted
CHRISTEN PRESS
Position: Forward
Acquired from: Utah Royals FC
College: Stanford University
Nationality: USA
Draft: Undrafted
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 13, 2020
- NWSL Announces Players Selected in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft - NWSL
- Sky Blue FC Defender Kaleigh Riehl and Midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe Selected by Racing Louisville FC in 2020 Expansion Draft - Sky Blue FC
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