NWSL Federation Players Announced: Klingenberg is Out

The NWSL has announced the list of allocated players from the US and Canada for the 2018 season. Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, and Emily Sonnett retain federation status with the USWNT, while Christine Sinclair remains a federation player for Canada, obviously. Heath, Horan, and Sinclair were guaranteed federation spots, and Sonnett looks to have retained her spot on the back of a strong 2017 NWSL season.

The big news is that Meghan Klingenberg is no longer a USWNT federation player. The Thorns retain her rights and must now sign her to a new contract. Klingenberg, first made a starter for the USWNT in 2013 under Tom Sermanni, has 74 appearances for the national team. Despite an appearance at January camp, Klingenberg’s removal from the allocation list does not come as a huge surprise, as before then she had not appeared in any national team camps since April 2017. This was despite a stellar season for the Thorns where she led the team with assists. It’s unfortunate for Klingenberg, but in a year with heavy international obligations, not being a regular callup to the USWNT may not be a horrible thing for her club.

Quite a few Thorns are just on the fringes of the national team. Adrianna Franch, who is out of the SheBelieves Cup with a quad injury but was otherwise expected to participate, did not make the allocation list, while Jane Campbell gained allocated status and is confirmed as the third-choice goalkeeper. Emily Menges only made one national team camp appearance during 2017 in March but did not make the bench and was seemingly never seriously considered for the team. Midge Purce, newly acquired from the Boston Breakers dispersal draft, sat on the USWNT bench during one game in last year’s Tournament of Nations.

Additionally, former Thorn Allie Long retains her allocated status.