Seven GMs voice frustration over USWNT player release demands
NWSL executives argue that the federation's expectations for player availability clash with club needs, particularly regarding the upcoming January training camp.
By Jabari Long ·
Seven general managers from National Women's Soccer League clubs told ESPN that U.S. Soccer continues to expect teams to release players on demand, creating friction between the two organizations.
The tension flared this fall during the U20 World Cup. Because the tournament fell outside an official FIFA window, NWSL teams were not required to release players. Several clubs held back key age-eligible players, including Claire Hutton, Lily Yohannes, and Kimmi Ascanio, to support their playoff pushes.
U.S. Soccer helped found the NWSL in 2013 and directly paid player salaries until the end of the 2020 season. Since the league became independent, clubs have taken over financial responsibilities, with some now paying players over $1 million annually. Executives say the old dynamic, where the federation dictated return dates, still influences how U.S. Soccer approaches player management.
Senior USWNT head coach Emma Hayes expressed concern in August that missing U20 World Cups could harm long-term development. She described herself as "massively worried" about the impact on the senior team. U20 coach Vicky Jepson called the squad's composition "upsetting." While some GMs praised Hayes for being "supportive," others felt the process was "not a collaboration, at all."
The next flashpoint is the January USWNT training camp. The NWSL will start its 2027 season on Feb. 11, one month earlier than usual, to accommodate a World Cup break. Preseason begins Jan. 2. Players called to the January camp will miss a large portion of this shortened preparation period.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in August that the league gave clubs permission to withhold players for the U20 tournament when it made sense. She noted that the league hopes future tournaments will fall within FIFA windows. She added that the league has made "the most progress over the last 12 months" in working with U.S. Soccer on youth development. One GM disputed this assessment, stating that "from a sporting side, that's just not true."
Executives emphasized that clubs now track player load data to prevent injury. One GM noted that players returning from camps without playing minutes often have "soft tissues that haven't been loaded." The NWSL Championship is scheduled for Nov. 22, and U.S. World Cup qualifying ends on Dec. 5. The January camp will occur shortly after this break, a timing several GMs believe places undue strain on players.
