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NWSL Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit Announce 26-Player Preseason Roster

February 1, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


Leesburg, Va. - The Washington Spirit has announced an initial 26-player roster as the 2021 NWSL Preseason officially begins today.

Included on the 26-player roster are three non-roster invitees and four players that were selected in the 2021 NWSL Draft.

The Spirit will return to action when the NWSL Challenge Cup returns on April 9. More information about exact dates and times for the Spirit's matches will be provided once they become available.

Five members of the roster have recent United States Women's National Team experience, with midfielder Andi Sullivan, defenders Kelley O'Hara and Emily Sonnett, and goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe returning from the most recent camp that saw O'Hara and Sonnett play against Colombia in January. Sonnett and O'Hara will be reporting to USWNT camp for the SheBelieves Cup on February 8. They will return following the final game on February 24. Allocation status for all USWNT players will be announced later this month.

Swedish international Julia Roddar joined the Sweden Women's National Team for the 2019 World Cup, and forwards Saori Takarada and Kumi Yokoyama have three and 43 career caps for the Japanese Women's National Team. Roddar will join the Spirit in camp in late February.

The Spirit roster has four 2021 NWSL Draft picks on the roster. The players were selected across all four rounds of the draft, ranging from the No. 2 overall pick to No. 39. No. 2 pick Trinity Rodman (Washington State University), No. 19 Anna Heilferty (Boston), No, 29 Sydney Schneider (UNC Wilmington), and No. 39 Mariana Speckmaier (Clemson) will be making their professional debuts when the Challenge Cup begins April 9.

The three Non-Roster Invitees are Chinyelu Asher, Furtuna Velaj, and Anika Kallash. They will join the team beginning the second week of preseason.

2021 Washington Spirit Preseason Roster

Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Devon Kerr, Sydney Schneider (CDP)

Defenders (7): Sam Staab, Natalie Jacobs, Kelley O'Hara (FED-USA), Emily Sonnett (FED-USA), Tegan McGrady, Paige Nielsen, Chinyelu Asher (NRI)

Midfielders (8): Julia Roddar (NYR), Saori Takarada, Jordan DiBiasi, Andi Sullivan, Bayley Feist, Dorian Bailey, Anna Heilferty (CDP), Tori Huster

Forwards (8): Trinity Rodman (CDP), Averie Collins, Ashley Sanchez, Kumi Yokoyama, Mariana Speckmaier (CDP), Ashley Hatch, Furtuna Velaj (NRI), Anika Kallash (NRI)

Key:

CDP - 2021 NWSL Draft pick

NRI - Non-Roster Invitee

NYR - Not Yet Reported to Camp

FED - 2020 Federation Player

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