Welcome to the OL Reign Off-Season Updates page! Here we’re tracking all off-season moves made by OL Reign as they prepare for the 2024 NWSL season.
The Reign are expected to finalize a sale to a new owner by the end of 2023, a process reported by ESPN to be independent of Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang’s new ownership of the women’s side of Olympique Lyonnais, as the parent club separates their business into two entities.
OL Reign began their off-season with the announcements that goalkeeper Claudia Dickey had been re-signed through the 2025 season, and that the option on defender Alana Cook’s contract had been exercised. Cook will be with the club through 2024.
In their November 20 off-season roster update, OL Reign shared that they are in talks with midfielder Olivia Athens, defender Ryanne Brown, goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, defender Alyssa Malonson and goalkeeper Maia Perez. They are in the process of exercising the option on defender Shae Holmes’s contract and have waived the rights to midfielder Marley Canales.
OL Reign defender Jimena López and midfielder Luany are both on loan in Liga F until the end of June 2024.
Excluding players currently in contract discussion with OL Reign, the team has 15 players currently on their roster. If successful in their conversations, this number will increase to 21.
The current players under contract with OL Reign are as follows:
- Goalkeepers (1): Claudia Dickey
- Defenders (6): Lauren Barnes, Alana Cook, Sam Hiatt, Sofia Huerta, Jimena López (on loan), Phoebe McClernon
- Midfielders (4): Jess Fishlock, Luany (on loan), Quinn, Olivia Van der Jagt
- Forwards (4): Bethany Balcer, Elyse Bennett, Jordyn Huitema, Veronica Latsko
The free agents who spent the 2023 season with OL Reign are as follows:
- Rose Lavelle (unrestricted)
- Emily Sonnett (unrestricted)
- Nikki Stanton (unrestricted)
- Angelina (restricted)
- Tziarra King (restricted)
December 2023
The decision to exercise the option on defender Shae Holmes was finalized and announced on December 8.
Alyssa Malonson, Maia Pérez, and Ryanne Brown were all re-signed to one-year contracts. This brings the total number of players on OL Reign’s roster to 19.
On December 11, OL Reign announced that Brazilian midfielder Angelina had departed via free agency. Angelina signed a three-year contract with the Orlando Pride, announced on December 13.
Laurel Ivory and Olivia Athens both re-signed through the 2024 season, announced on December 14.
In the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft on December 15, Bay FC selected defender Alyssa Malonson with the first pick, and Utah Royals FC selected forward Elyse Bennett with the second.
On December 19, OL Reign traded $75,000 in allocation money and the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft to Bay FC for the 43rd overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
January 2024
On January 8, OL Reign announced that the club would be returning to its original name, Seattle Reign FC.
Forward Bethany Balcer’s contract was extended through the 2025 season on January 11.
Free agent forward Tziarra King and free agent midfielder Nikki Stanton both signed new contracts with Seattle to remain with the team through the 2024 season on January 17.
NWSL Draft
Seattle made three selections in the 2024 NWSL Draft, engaging in one mid-draft trade.
Seattle sent $125,000 in allocation money to the Chicago Red Stars, acquiring the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Draft picks made by the Reign were as follows:
- No. 17, midfielder Sam Meza, University of North Carolina
- No. 27, forward Maddie Mercado, Notre Dame
- No. 43, defender Makena Carr, St. Mary’s College of California
The Reign Roster as of January 19, 2024
As of January 19, 2024, Seattle Reign FC has 21 players under contract. All 2023 players who became free agents at the conclusion of the season have been re-signed, or signed elsewhere in the league.
- Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey, Laurel Ivory, Maia Pérez
- Defenders (8): Lauren Barnes, Ryanne Brown, Alana Cook, Sam Hiatt, Shae Holmes, Sofia Huerta, Jimena López (on loan), Phoebe McClernon
- Midfielders (6): Olivia Athens, Jess Fishlock, Luany (on loan), Quinn, Nikki Stanton, Olivia Van der Jagt
- Forwards (4): Bethany Balcer, Jordyn Huitema, Tziarra King, Veronica Latsko
That’s all of your OL Reign Off-Season Updates for now! Check back for new news throughout the off-season.