The 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft (formerly named the 2021 NWSL Expansion Draft[1]) was an expansion draft held by the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) on December 16, 2021, for two expansion teams, Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC, to select players from existing teams in the league.
[3] Each of the NWSL's current teams (with the exception of Kansas City Current, who were exempt from the draft) was allowed to protect nine players, including a maximum of one United States federation player.
[1] Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC were allowed to select one player from each team, for a total of nine players each.
Per result of a coin flip, Angel City FC picked first.
Besides Kansas City Current, who were already exempt from the draft per their expansion agreement with the league, the following teams traded for protection prior to December 10, 2021: On December 10, 2021, the NWSL released the protected lists from teams participating in the draft.