These Prospective Player FAQ’s 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 FAQ’s will be updated as plans develop.
Last updated: April 17, 2008
1. How will the player selection process work? What is the timeline? Will it include a player allocation? Will there be a player draft? How many player drafts will there be? Will there be separate drafts for college players, international players, etc.? When will the draft(s) take place? Will there be tryouts? Etc.
The player selection process including the possibility of a player allocation and the number and types of drafts is still being finalized by the owners, general managers, coaches and player representatives. As soon as this process is finalized, it will be made public on our website, www.womensprosoccer.com.
2. What is the maximum number of International players a team can include? How will teams select International players and when will this occur?
Per U.S. Soccer Federation guidelines, currently WPS is including 5 (five) International players per team. International players are defined as players who are not U.S. citizens and do not possess a work permit (green card) for legal employment in the U.S.
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 international team. Discussions are anticipated with international teams about their players that WPS teams are interested in. The timeline for adding International players to WPS rosters has not been finalized, but FIFA guidelines mandate that there are two transfer windows: one in June and one in January.
3. Will the league pay transfer fees for International players?
Negotiations will be held between WPS teams and international clubs in regards to International players. These negotiations may include discussions concerning transfer fees. However, as we learned with the previous league, there will be many International players competing for clubs who do not require transfer fees. For International players who are interested in playing in WPS, please bear in mind that WPS teams may only approach you if the contract that you sign with your current club allows you to be approached by other teams such as WPS teams. International players who are not under contract with any teams or who do not have any transfer fee requirements may also be included in the draft(s).
4. Are there going to be combines? If so, how many will be held and when will they be held. Will the combines involve college players, W-League players and/or WPSL players?
The league intends to hold two combines. Selected college, W-League and WPSL players will be invited to these league combines. On behalf of their players, the W-League and WSPL also intend to conduct combines, which WPS coaches may attend at their discretion. Dates and locations for these combines are still being finalized.
Once the details for the combine(s) are finalized, they will be published on the WPS website, www.womensprosoccer.com. At that time, a player application to participate in the combine(s) will also be made available. Any player who is interested in playing in WPS should complete and return this application. If you would like to receive email communication regarding the timing and location of combines and tryouts, please complete and submit the Prospective Player Form.
5. What are other ways players can be seen by WPS coaches prior to the draft(s)?
WPS coaches will be scouting W-League and WPSL games this summer and also watching college games in the fall.
6. Will WPS coaches scout players who are competing internationally – either in a foreign league or for a foreign National Team?
WPS coaches will scout players both internationally and domestically who are competing both in leagues and on the international level.
7. How can players be added to the draft list?
Players will need to apply to take part in the draft. A technical committee made up of both WPS coaches and coaches from outside the league will review the list of players applying to take part in the draft. The intent of the technical committee will be more inclusive than exclusive. Those players who participate in the combine will be automatically added to the draft list.
8. If a player is not drafted, can players try out? If so, how should an undrafted player go about trying out? Who should an undrafted player contact? And when would the try out be held?
A player’s first option should be to participate in the combine(s) in hopes of being drafted. If a player is not drafted, there is still an entryway to playing in WPS. Individual teams will hold tryouts for undrafted players. The tryouts will take place after the drafts with the exact dates to be determined by each individual WPS team. We strongly suggest that interested players who are undrafted keep visiting the individual WPS teams’ websites and the league website for further details.
9. When will WPS teams begin pre-season training? How long will the pre-season be?
The start date and length of the pre-season are still being determined. Once they are finalized, they will be posted on the WPS website, www.womensprosoccer.com.
10. How many players will be on each team’s roster?
A team roster will include at least 20 players, with a maximum of 24 players.
11. When will WPS teams name their head coaches?
Some WPS teams have already named head coaches: Tony DiCicco by the Boston Breakers; Jim Gabarra by the Washington Freedom, Emma Hayes by Chicago and Ian Sawyers by NJ / NY Sky Blue Soccer. The rest of the WPS teams are interviewing candidates for their head coaching positions.
12. Where can I submit other questions?
Please send other questions to players@womensprosoccer.com.