WPS Player Allocations From the WNT

On Tuesday, September 16, 2008, the new WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer) issued its player allocations from the United States women’s national team (WNT). These allocations were formulated from player’s desires, team wants, and the needs of the league. The seven inaugural teams of the league will each be assigned three players. Here is the list:

• Bay Area: Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler, Leslie Osborne
• Boston Breakers: Angela Hucles* (M), Kristine Lilly* (M), Heather Mitts* (D)
  
• Chicago Red Stars: Carli Lloyd (M), Kate Markgraf* (D), Lindsay Tarpley (F)
  
• Sky Blue FC: Natasha Kai (F), Heather O’Reilly (F), Christie Rampone* (D)
• Los Angeles: Shannon Boxx* (M), Stephanie Cox (D), Aly Wagner* (M)
  
• St. Louis: Lori Chalupny (M), Tina Ellertson (D), Hope Solo* (G)
• Washington Freedom: Ali Krieger (M), Abby Wambach* (F), Cat Whitehill (D)
  

*-Played in WUSA; G-Goalkeeper; F-Forward, M-Mid-fielder, D-Defender

A few quick notes: Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, and Abby Wambach return to their former WUSA franchises. Only one goalkeeper was picked, Hope Solo. Every team was allocated one defender. While three teams didn’t receive a forward, that’s made up for by them having at least one attacking mid-fielder. Many of the players are located near where they were raised or went to school. Nine of the fourteen former WUSA players available were taken. Only Bay Area has no former WUSA players; the Boston has three.

See also: Coming Soon: WPS – Women’s Professional Soccer