Angel City FC: Predicting the protected

To say the NWSL offseason and free agency has lacked the chaotic energy we had all been hoping to see, would be an understatement. In fact, it’s been quite boring. With how the structure of the expansion draft was laid out, it should be no surprise that few moves have been made as most players who are free agents have decided to wait until after the expansion draft to sign. Teams don’t see the value in signing a top free agent, only to have to use one of their, already few protection spots, they have just to keep the player they signed from being poached. It’s a system that definitely needs looking at for future years, but for now, we work with what we got. Luckily, the chaos that was foretold is finally upon us as tomorrow, teams will send in their protected lists ahead of the expansion draft set for this Friday. For Angel City FC, three of the nine slots are seemingly already decided, giving them even less room to protect players on the roster. That said, we are taking a look at who those six spots should be used on, and who they might end up risking by leaving unprotected.

Everyone say, “HI, GISELE! 👋” pic.twitter.com/iBFYsPZU3y

— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) December 7, 2023

At the end of November, Angel City FC released an updated roster as well as provided an outline of how they intend to approach the offseason in terms of free agent re-signings, and what they hoped to do in luring other free agents to Los Angeles, while eluding to the fact most of their moves will come post-expansion draft. As it stands, everything has gone to plan. The team have exercised the options for defender Merritt Mathias and midfielder Jun Endo, as well as completing arguably the signing of the offseason, so far, snatching up rising superstar defender, Gisele Thompson.

What that does however, is essentially eliminate three of the nine protection spots the team has to work with to protect players on the roster, from being selected in the upcoming expansion draft. If you need a refresher on those rostered players, here is the list of those eligible to be taken by either expansion club, unless protected:

• Goalkeepers: Angelina Anderson, DiDi Haračić

• Defenders: Vanessa Gilles (ON LOAN), Merritt Mathias, Lily Nabet, Paige Nielsen, Megan Reid, Ali Riley, Jasmyne Spencer, M.A. Vignola

• Midfielders: Claire Emslie, Jun Endo (INTL-JPN), Amandine Henry (INTL-FRA), Clarisse Le Bihan (INTL-FRA)

• Forwards: Scarlett Camberos, Katie Johnson, Sydney Leroux, Christen Press, Alyssa Thompson

Nine spots was hardly enough to ensure a majority of the 2023 squad return, but with recent moves, the possibility of limiting it to just six feels damn-near impossible. As we mentioned, with the exercising of options for Mathias and Endo, you can presume those two will take up protection, as it would be incredibly silly to pick up the option just to risk losing them immediately. Then, of course, add in Gisele Thompson who the team made sure to sign before her 18th birthday so she would be able to avoid the college draft, but that means they will definitely use a spot to protect the future of their club. While we are on the topic, you cand add Alyssa Thompson, her sister, to that list as well, because there is no way they risk letting an expansion team split up the dynamic duo. That is already four spots down, with just five left for the remaining roster.

Game of risk

For Angel City this decision will be about who they are willing to risk and potentially part ways with, just as much as it is about who they feel they absolutely need to keep at all costs. Which is what will make this one of the more intriguing lists in the NWSL. Three names stand out the most in terms of players who fit in the latter, as talents you should absolutely want to keep at all costs. Scarlett Camberos, M.A. Vignola, and Angelina Anderson. Camberos and Vignola speak for themselves, as they are players who have immense talent, and are coming off a huge 2023 season. Vignola has started getting call-ups for USWNT camps, and Scarlett is not only a fan favorite but a player that came into her own last season, with the potential to improve and provide even more in 2024. Angelina Anderson broke out late last season, establishing herself as the number one keeper. That’s not the position you want to weaken as you look to compete going forward.

Here is the protected list we think Angel City should be submitting for the upcoming expansion draft, and while there might be a few surprises, hear us out on the reasons why. Our 2023 Angel City FC Expansion Draft Protected List:

Goalkeeper Angelina Anderson, defenders Merritt Mathias, Gisele Thompson, and M.A. Vignola, midfielders Jun Endo and Amandine Henry, forwards Scarlett Camberos, Sydney Leroux and Alyssa Thompson.

Game of chicken

Okay, before you all get ready to send out those tweets and comments talking about how little we know, let us explain the reasoning behind the madness. While there are definitely some big names left unprotected, this is the reality of what Angel City will be facing, No matter the combination, there will undoubtedly be players left unprotected the team will not be too thrilled to see selected should it happen, such is how the system goes. However, this wouldn’t be the first time a team played a game of chicken with expansion clubs. In fact, just go back to the Angel City expansion draft year, and look at who OL Reign left unprotected, one Megan Rapinoe. Yet, despite the possibility, neither Angel City nor San Diego thought about selecting the USWNT star midfielder.

That’s because there is just as much risk for the expansion sides in doing so, just ask Racing Louisville. The last thing you want to do is select players that will not want to be there, or that might have their hearts elsewhere. Especially as we go into this new era where players are starting to hold most of the power in these situations. Christen Press, despite not playing for almost two full seasons, is the face of Angel City. She has been vocal about not playing anywhere else other than LA, and for a player who has already left the league once, it’s more than a veiled threat, it’s basically a promise. Same could be said about Ali Riley. These aren’t just star players, but veterans who the expansion teams will know not to mess with. Could one of the teams be petty and select them anyways? Sure, but then you wasted a pick on a player who won’t want to be in your club, and who will be looking to get out at the first chance, playing with resentment while there. For a team new to the league, you don’t want that energy around while trying to establish an identity.

There is also the silver lining that once a team has a player selected, they can add another to be protected. Using our list as an example, say Utah select Lily Nabet, then Angel City can add Claire Emslie or Le Bihan onto the protection list to keep them safe for the next round. End of the day, the absolute worst thing that can happen to Angel City is losing two players. That’s it, so this is about limiting the loss of talent, and as harsh as it may sound, it’s about risking players the club feels comfortable losing.

Tough decisions ahead

You also have to consider some players and the amount they played last season. We didn’t see much of 2022 standout and Iron Woman, Megan Reid, and not much Le Bihan during the teams run under Becki Tweed. Those are also factors to consider when thinking about who the club might feel they can live without. There will inevitably be players left unprotected many fans will not be happy about, but at the end of the day this is the system the club have to work within, and as a club that have built a roster that can compete, it’s no surprise they will have players any expansion club would love to build around.

Regardless of who is on that list come tomorrow, tough decisions will have to be made, especially after some contracts have already been signed. Of course, there is still time for the team to secure protection from both expansion clubs, making this all moot and fully ensuring they can have most of their stellar 2023 roster return to try and run it back. This is the chaos we were promised, and tomorrow, some questions will be answered, while even more will be asked. Let the real offseason begin!

Thoughts on our list? Leave a comment, or your own list, below!