The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is set to welcome two new expansion franchises in 2028, with Atlanta and Columbus awarded teams that will begin play that year. Both clubs are now entering a critical planning phase to construct competitive rosters ahead of their inaugural seasons.
According to reporting by Dean Jones and Asli Pelit of The Athletic, the expansion sides face unique challenges in building squads from scratch. The NWSL's expansion draft, allocation processes, and salary cap mechanisms will shape how Atlanta and Columbus acquire talent. Existing NWSL clubs will protect a certain number of players, leaving others available for selection by the new entrants.
Free agency, trades, and international signings will also play key roles. The 2028 debut timeline gives both organizations approximately two years to finalize coaching staffs, scouting networks, and player recruitment strategies. Columbus, with its established soccer infrastructure from the MLS's Crew, and Atlanta, drawing on the market that supports Atlanta United, each bring distinct advantages in fanbase and facilities.
The league has not yet announced specific expansion draft rules or roster limits for the 2028 entrants. Previous NWSL expansions, such as Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC in 2022, followed a structured process that included an expansion draft and allocation money. Atlanta and Columbus will likely navigate a similar framework adapted to the league's current collective bargaining agreement.
