These Interested Player FAQs were created to provide current information to players about plans for their selection and employment by WPS Teams and about related League and FIFA policies. These FAQs will be updated as plans develop.
Last updated: Dec. 23, 2009
1. What is the Player Selection Process timeline?
Jan. 15, 2010: 2010 WPS Draft at the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
Beginning February 1: WPS Tryouts in Team’s local market may begin as of February 1. Exact dates of all local tryouts will be posted to both League and Team websites.
March TBD: Start of WPS Pre-Season
April 10: Start of WPS Regular Season
2. What requirements must a player meet in order to play in WPS?
In order to play in WPS, a player must be 18 years old by March 1, 2010, have either completed or forfeited her NCAA eligibility and have completed and submitted the Interested Player Form by Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8pm ET/5pm PT: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/players/interested-player.aspx
3. How can a player be removed from the Interested Player list?
If you have a change of heart regarding your interest in playing in WPS, please request that we remove you from our list by emailing players@womensprosoccer.com.
4. Who is eligible to be drafted in the 2010 WPS Draft? How many rounds will the 2010 WPS Draft consist of?
Players who are on the Interested Player List by the January 4, 2010 8pm ET/5pm PT deadline are eligible to be drafted or selected by WPS teams for pre-season tryouts, or to be added later. Players may indicate their interest in playing in the league by completing the Interested Player Form: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/players/interested-player.aspx
5. How many rounds is the 2010 WPS Draft? What is the order of team selections for the 2010 WPS Draft?
The 2010 WPS Draft consists of seven rounds and a total of 65 picks. The two 2010 expansion teams - the Atlanta Beat and the Philadelphia Independence - each received an additional pick at the end of the first round. View the up-to-date draft order.
6. If a player who has completed/forfeited her NCAA eligibility is selected in the 2010 WPS Draft, will she be able to complete the spring semester before joining her WPS team?
This is a matter that should be decided by the player in consultation with her WPS coach and general manager.
7. If a player is not selected in the 2010 WPS Draft, will she still have the opportunity to play in WPS?
Yes, a player will still have the opportunity to play in WPS even if she is not selected in the 2010 WPS Draft. All players interested in playing in WPS should complete the Interested Player Form: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/players/interested-player.aspx
8. How will Local Tryouts be conducted by WPS teams?
The specifics of Local Tryouts, including whether tryouts will be invitation-only or open, and how many players will participate in each tryout will be determined by each WPS team on an individual basis. Dates and locations of Local Tryouts will also be determined by each WPS team on an individual basis, with Feb. 1 being the first date on which Local Tryouts may be conducted. Following the 2010 WPS Draft, each team will publicize its own Local Tryout information, which will also be posted on their websites.
9. When does WPS Pre-Season start? Where will it be held? Who will participate in pre-season?
The WPS pre-season will begin in March. Each team will determine where it will hold its own pre-season training, although there may be a league-organized pre-season involving multiple teams. Players who have been allocated to, drafted by or invited by WPS teams will participate in pre-season.
10. How many players will be on each team’s roster?
A team roster will include at least 18 players, with a maximum of 22 players with up to 4 developmental players included.
11. What is the definition of an International player? What is the maximum number of International players a team can include?
International players are defined as players who are not U.S. citizens and do not possess a green card for employment in the U.S. Per U.S. Soccer Federation guidelines, currently WPS teams may sign up to 5 (five) International players per team. WPS teams may also hold the WPS playing rights to an additional international player, for a total of six international players overall.
12. How will WPS teams contact International players?
In regards to contacting, negotiating and signing International players, the League and individual teams must abide by FIFA guidelines. The League and the WPS teams know there is interest from International players in playing in WPS, but players who are under contract cannot be contacted by the League or the teams without permission first being granted by the player’sinternational team.
It is anticipated that discussions will take place with international teams about those players WPS teams are interested in. WPS teams, having already notified the player’s current club, can speak with any International player whose contract has either expired or will expire within six months.
13. What is International Discovery? How does it work?
International Discovery gives WPS teams the ability to acquire the WPS-playing rights to international players. At any one time, each WPS team may hold the WPS-playing rights to up to six International players. If a team has open international player slots, it may place a claim on an international player through the League office. If no other team places a claim on the same international player in the same 24-hour window, the international player’s WPS-playing rights are awarded to the team who placed the claim on the player. If multiple teams place a claim on the same international player in the same 24-hour window, tiebreakers are used to award the international player’s WPS-playing rights to a WPS team.
14. Where can I submit other questions?
Please send other questions to players@womensprosoccer.com.