UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women’s soccer program saw 16 alumnae earn placements on nine National Women’s Soccer League rosters ahead of the organization’s 14th competitive season in 2026. One member of Penn State’s 2025 roster will make her NWSL debut this season, with alumna forward Amelia White set to join the Kansas City Current.
The 16 Nittany Lions participating in the highest level of professional women’s soccer on earth extends the program’s longstanding tradition of professional development, with Penn State alumnae appearing on nine of the league’s 16 club rosters ahead of the 2026 season. PSU saw 15 alumnae return from last year’s campaign, with the lone newcomer to the Nittany Lions’ NWSL corps coming in the form of White. Of Penn State’s 16 professional alumnae, six are members of the defending NWSL Shield-winning Kansas City Current, with White headlining that group.
In Kansas City, White is joined by 2015 National Champion and MAC Hermann Trophy Winner Rocky Rodriguez, in addition to Elizabeth Ball, Ellie (Wheeler) Bravo-Young, Katie Scott and recent free agent addition Penelope Hocking. The Current are under the direction of former USWNT skipper and current sporting director Vlatko Andonovski, as well as head coach Chris Armas, with the Nittany Lion group looking to lead KC to its second consecutive NWSL Shield in 2026. Penn State saw a pair of alumnae appear on the Orlando Pride roster in the form of Kerry Abello and Cori Dyke, with the North Carolina Courage bosting a pair of Nittany Lions as well in Payton Linnehan and Ally Schlegel.
San Diego Wave FC welcomes the return of second-year professional and 2024 Penn State alumna Jordan Fusco to the squad, while Nittany Lion national champion Ellie Jean continues her stint with Racing Louisville FC in 2026. The Blue & White saw 2022 alumna and goalkeeper Morgan Messner earn a roster spot with Portland Thorns FC, while multi-time Olympic medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher returns for another season with Chicago Stars FC. The Washington Spirit welcome back Kate Wiesner in the 2026 campaign as well, fresh off her first stint with the United States Women’s National Team during this year’s offseason window. Kaleigh Riehl rounds out the 16 Penn State women’s soccer alumnae on NWSL rosters, with Riehl continuing her stint with Utah Royals FC.
The 2026 NWSL regular season kicks off on Friday, March 13, with an 8 p.m. (ET) match scheduled between the Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns FC on Amazon Prime Video. Fans interested in tuning into NWSL matches over the course of the 2026 campaign can do so via a variety of means, including matchups on Amazon Prime Video, ION, CBS, Paramount+, ESPN, ABC and the league’s own streaming service, NWSL+. Regular season action will conclude on Decision Sunday, November 1, with playoffs set to begin shortly thereafter. The NWSL Championship will be decided on Saturday night, November 21.
Back in University Park, Penn State is fresh off another trip to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament, with PSU reaching the big dance in each of the last 32 seasons in addition to booking a second round-or-better finish in each of the last 17 years. The Blue & White opened the Jeffrey Field Soccer Operations Center earlier this spring, ushering in a new era of elite training and team facilities in women’s college soccer in Happy Valley. Head coach Erica Dambach will usher in her 20th season at the helm in University Park in 2026, looking to lift the program to its sixth NCAA Women’s College Cup and second national title in the program’s 33rd varsity campaign.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Visit GoPSUSports.com for more information on Penn State women’s soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Nittany Lion women’s soccer team on X and Instagram @PennStateWSOC, in addition to the team’s Facebook page at /PSUWomensSoccer.
The 2025-26 Penn State Women’s Soccer Season is presented by Highmark.