Reddit reviews National Team: The Inside Story of the Women Who Changed Soccer

This is actually a really complicated question :) Even the official manual isn't very helpful.

I can cover the basics for you. In general, I found this to be helpful when I forget things.

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Trading is done when players are under contract. What you're referencing in 2018 was called "The Trade". Kerr went to the Red Stars from Sky Blue. Press went from Red Stars to Dash and Lloyd went from the Dash to Sky Blue. There were some additional pieces but this was the main chunk.

It's generally assumed Lloyd and Kerr wanted the trade and advocated for it. Press didn't like it though. But she was under contract to remain in the league. If she wanted to play in the NWSL it had to be with Houston. So she left to Sweden and broke her contract. This got mixed reviews but it's allowed.

the longer version of that story.

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USWNT players were under contract to stay in the NWSL for 2 out of 4 year period which is why they all play here. There have been some like Dunn who went to Chelsea for a year but these conditions were usually in an attempt to get more playing minutes or build up for the WC. Maybe a little bit about Dunn getting out of Washington where the Spirit weren't doing well. Can't find the exact reference but it's in here somewhere. I don't know if this rule still stands or not.

Worth noting, federation players must be allocated (paid by their countries federation) in the NWSL. This effects player eligibility a lot.

They had a lean decade between the 99ers and 2011 but the 2010's has been pretty awesome to the women. 3 WWC finals, 2 wins. In recent memory, they've had a great run.

Also, btw, someone recently wrote a comprehensive history of the USWNT which dates back from their inception in 1985 to the preparation for the cup in 2019. I would highly recommend buying this book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419734490/