The NWSL offseason is upon us as OL Reign announced their end-of-season roster moves on Monday afternoon. This will be the first offseason for general manager Lesle Gallimore, who was appointed to the position on May 31.
Midfielders Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and Nikki Stanton are unrestricted free agents, free to sign with any club, including re-signing with the Reign. Midfielder Angelina and forward Tziarra King are restricted free agents, meaning that if another NWSL team makes an offer to sign them, OL Reign has seven days to match that offer and effectively sign them back for the 2024 season.
While Lavelle only made four appearances for the Reign in 2023 due to injury and US national team duty, fans will remember her putting the Reign on her back and almost bringing home the NWSL Championship two weeks ago in San Diego against Gotham FC.
Sonnett joined OL Reign on an NWSL Draft Day trade, coming over from Washington Spirit and making 19 appearances for the club in 2023, developing and flourishing in the number six role as part of OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey's midfield.
Stanton joined OL Reign in 2022, coming from Chicago Red Stars to play for the hometown team, making 15 appearances this season.
The two NWSL expansion teams – Bay FC and the Utah Royals – cannot select free agents in the Dec. 15 expansion draft. That means it is unlikely the Reign will make any deals with free agents before the draft, which would require the club to then choose whether or not to protect the newly signed player.
Per the club's press release, contract negotiations are ongoing with goalkeepers Laurel Ivory and Maia Perez, defenders Ryanne Brown and Alyssa Malonson, and midfielder Olivia Athens. Those five players do not yet qualify for free agency.
Defender Shae Holmes, who OL Reign drafted in this year's NWSL Draft from the University of Washington in the second round, is in the process of having her option year picked up by the club. Holmes made 12 appearances across all competitions for the club and was named to the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team for her contributions in helping to hold opponents scoreless through all six matches of the Challenge Cup group stage.
Defender Jimena López and midfielder Luany are currently out on loan in Spain's Liga F until the end of June 2024. López is at Valencia CF Femenino, while Luany is at Madrid CFF.
The first known departure from OL Reign will be midfielder Marley Canales. The second-year midfielder made 10 appearances across all competitions for the club after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NWSL Draft from UCLA. OL Reign elected to waive her rights.
"Marley Canales is a tremendous professional in all senses," said Gallimore in the club's announcement. "Her attitude, effort and approach to everything sets an extremely high standard and we've been fortunate to have her in the club. Marley will undoubtedly continue to pursue opportunities to contribute and have an impact in the game and we wish her nothing but success with her career moving forward."
Here is the current OL Reign roster after today's announcement and roster moves:
Goalkeepers (1): Claudia Dickey
Defenders (6): Lauren Barnes, Alana Cook, Sam Hiatt, Sofia Huerta, Jimena López (LOAN), Phoebe McClernon
Midfielders (4): Jess Fishlock, Luany (LOAN), Quinn, Olivia Van der Jagt
Forwards (4): Bethany Balcer, Elyse Bennett, Jordyn Huitema, Veronica Latsko
