Washington Spirit announce 26-player roster ahead of NWSL Challenge Cup

Boyds, Md. – The Washington Spirit announced their 26-player roster for the NWSL Challenge Cup, which is set to begin on June 27 in Herriman, Utah.

Included in the 26-player roster are the five players who were selected in the 2020 NWSL College Draft and five newcomers with professional experience playing abroad.

Five members of the roster have recent United States Women’s National Team experience, with midfielders Rose Lavelle and Andi Sullivan most recently joining the team at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup and Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, forward Ashley Hatch, midfielder Jordan DiBiasi having joined the USWNT for training camps in November, December and February, respectively.

The Spirit roster has five 2020 NWSL College Draft picks on the roster for the second year in a row. The players were selected across all four rounds of the draft, ranging from the No. 4 to No. 32 overall pick. No. 4 pick Ashley Sanchez (UCLA), No. 13 Natalie Jacobs (USC), No, 17 Averie Collins (Washington State University), No. 23 Katie McClure (Kansas), and No. 32 Kaiya McCullough (UCLA) will be making their professional debuts during the Challenge Cup.

Additionally, goalkeeper Katie Lund and forward Meghan McCool joined the Spirit roster in February and June respectively as undrafted free agents.

Five newcomers joining the squad from overseas include Devon Kerr (FC Metz), Brooke Hendrix (West Ham United FC), Jessie Scarpa (Lidkoping FK), Jenna Hellstrom (KIF Örebro), and Kumi Yokohama (AC Nagano Parceiro). All five players have professional experience, but will be making their NWSL debuts during the tournament.

2020 Washington Spirit Preseason Roster

Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Devon Kerr, Katie Lund

Defenders (8): Tegan McGrady, Sam Staab, Paige Nielsen, Jenna Hellstrom, Brooke Hendrix, Tori Huster, Kaiya McCullough (CDP), Natalie Jacobs (CDP)

Midfielders (8): Dorian Bailey, Jaye Boisierre, Jordan DiBiasi, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Rose Lavelle (FED-USA), Meghan McCool, Jessie Scarpa, Andi Sullivan

Forwards (7): Averie Collins (CDP), Bayley Feist, Ashley Hatch, Katie McClure (CDP), Ashley Sanchez (CDP), Crystal Thomas, Kumi Yokoyama

Key:
CDP – 2020 NWSL College Draft pick
FED – 2020 Federation Player