Megan Rapinoe Not Picked in 2021 NWSL Expansion Draft, Will Remain with OL Reign

OL Reign and United States women's national team star Megan Rapinoe was not selected in the 2021 National Women's Soccer League expansion draft. She will remain in Seattle. 

Here are the picks Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC made Thursday night:

1. Angel City: Dani Weatherholt, OL Reign midfielder
2. San Diego Wave: Kristie Mewis, Houston Dash midfielder
3. Angel City: Claire Emslie, Orlando Pride forward
4. San Diego Wave: Kristen McNabb, OL Reign defender
5. Angel City: Jasmyne Spencer, Houston Dash forward
6. San Diego Wave passed
7. Angel City: Paige Nielsen, Washington Spirit defender
8. San Diego Wave passed
9. San Diego Wave: Kaleigh Riehl, Racing Louisville defender 

The Reign protected Rose Lavelle, Bethany Balcer, Alana Cook, Angelina, Jessica Fishlock, Sofia Huerta, Quinn, Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Ally Watt for this year's expansion draft. 

Rapinoe was also left unprotected in last year's expansion draft, when she went unselected by Racing Louisville FC. Teams were allowed to protect nine players for the upcoming draft, including a maximum of one United States Federation player. Lavelle, who also stars for the USWNT, was the U.S. federation player the Reign opted to protect over Rapinoe. 

Rapinoe has spent her entire eight-year NWSL career with the Reign, who were formerly known as the Seattle Reign. She began playing in the NWSL in 2013 and has appeared in 86 matches (72 starts). The 36-year-old has notched 40 goals and 17 assists in that span.

During the 2021 campaign, she tallied six goals and two assists in 11 games (eight starts). 

Rapinoe has also made 187 appearances for the USWNT, tallying 62 goals and 71 assists. In addition to being named the 2019 Ballon d'Or Feminin winner, she has also won two Women's World Cups, won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball and was also named the best FIFA women's player in 2019.

USWNT stars Kelley O'Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit) and Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit) were also left unprotected by their respective clubs. None were selected. 

San Diego and Angel City are set to begin play in 2022, increasing the number of teams in the NWSL to 12 from 10.