Cary, NC (December 8, 2021) – The North Carolina Courage announced today the roster updates ahead of the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft and 2022 NWSL Draft Presented by Ally. The drafts will be held virtually on Dec. 16 and Dec. 18, respectively. Broadcast info for both drafts can be found here.

The Courage have received full roster protection in the upcoming 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft Presented by Ally. In return, the Courage have sent the rights to midfielder Cari Roccaro to Angel City FC and midfielder Angharad James to San Diego Wave FC. Read more here.

The Courage have also chosen to exercise the options on Debinha, Casey Murphy, Amy Rodriguez, Merritt Mathias, Brittany Ratcliffe, Havana Solaun, Rylee Baisden, Ryan Williams, and Sam Murphy.

Defender Carson Pickett signed a new two-year deal with the club following a successful first season with North Carolina. Courage veterans Abby Erceg, Denise O’Sullivan and Taylor Smith will return to the squad under previously signed multi-year deals, while Brianna Pinto and Kiki Pickett will join the club as new acquisitions in 2022. USWNT 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Lynn Williams will remain with the Courage through 2023.

Defender Schuyler DeBree announced her retirement from professional soccer following the Courage’s elimination from the 2021 NWSL Playoffs.

The Courage have declined to exercise the options on Irish international Diane Caldwell and 2019 NWSL Draftee Hailey Harbison. Kendall Fletcher is out of contract as of the end of the 2021 season and will not return to the Courage.

The Courage traded Sam Mewis to the Kansas City Current for Kiki Pickett, a first-round draft pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft Presented by Ally and the discovery rights to Malia Berkely.

Additionally, the club will be extending new contract offers to Kaleigh Kurtz, Peyton Perea, Lindsey Agnew, Jess McDonald and Meredith Speck.