Soccer Monday: While We Were Away …

It seems the new rule has just created a mess.

Despite the adoption of the HIP rule, Trinity Rodman remains a free agent and unsigned by the Washington Spirit, or any other team. The NWSLPA filed a grievance over the league’s rejection of her earlier contract agreement with the Spirit.

The union vowed action because the new rule was not negotiated. And then there’s the issue of what defines a “High Impact Player,” something that promises to be contentious going forward. Players must meet one of the following criteria:

• Player is on SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes within 1 year prior to the current league season.
• Player is selected in the Top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting in the 2 years prior to the current league season.
• Player is selected in the Top 40 of the Guardian Top 100 football players in the world in the 2 years prior.
• Player is selected in the Top 40 of ESPN FC Top 50 football players in the world in the 2 years prior.
• Top 11 minutes played for the USWNT in the prior 2 calendar years for field players
• for all competition types.
• Top 1 minutes played for USWNT in the prior two 2 calendar years for goalkeepers for all competition types.
• Player selected as NWSL MVP Finalist within previous the 2 league seasons.
• Player selected to the End of Year NWSL Best XI First Team within the previous 2 league seasons.

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“Ensuring our teams can compete for the best players in the world is critical to the continued growth of our league,” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a press release. “The High Impact Player Rule allows teams to invest strategically in top talent, strengthens our ability to retain star players, and demonstrates our commitment to building world-class rosters for fans across the league.”

The NWSLPA responded: “Under federal labor law, changes to compensation under the salary cap are a mandatory subject of bargaining — not a matter of unilateral discretion. Fair pay is realized through fair, collectively bargained compensation systems, not arbitrary classifications. A league that truly believes in the value of its players would not be afraid to bargain over it.”

The rule does not take effect until July 1, 2026. Teams can sign High Impact Players but can’t use the new compensation mechanism until that date.

The obvious issue with the criteria is that it favors European players, who tend to dominate the Guardian and Ballon d’Or lists, while potentially hurting players from countries like Africa, Brazil and Japan, who often aren’t included, obviously aren’t on the USWNT and also don’t make the marketing list. It denies those players the opportunity for a more lucrative contract.

Full Disclosure: I’m a voter for the Ballon D’Or. I rank my top 10 after the 30 finalists have already been chosen. Because it is an award given by a French publication, the nominees are overwhelmingly European.

Of course, the league had the opportunity to simply raise the salary cap, and could still do it at any time. The NWSLPA had proposed this option. Instead, the union plans to take “appropriate steps to enforce the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.” That action was not specified.

This isn’t over, by any means.

WEDDING SEASON!

WoSo Royalty celebrated marriage this past week. First off, Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis. You know, sportsmanship.

And Marta and Carrie!

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LINKS!

Jessica Berman’s next moves will shape the future of the NWSL

Sandra Herrera takes a look at what to watch in the NWSL as the Rodman saga plays out

Just Women’s Sports makes five predictions for 2026

The Guardian ponders what English women’s football will look like in 10 years

Denver expected to sign Ayo Oke, per ESPN

Bianca St-Georges signs with Boston Legacy

Kailen Sheridan departs the Wave

The Athletic’s women’s football 2025 year in review

The BBC looks at who might be on the move in January

The New Yorker asks whether women’s pro soccer in the U.S. can keep up with the global game

SI looks at the best women’s soccer moments of 2025

The Guardian is keeping track of the January transfer window

Vietnam’s women’s team (remember?) is focused on Asian Games and World Cup qualification