[8][9] The FMF ceased allocating players to the NWSL in 2016[10] before starting its own national professional league, Liga MX Femenil, in 2017.
In the month leading up to opening day, the FMF withdrew funding for several of its players, removing them from the NWSL: On March 1, Chicago sent Winters and a fourth-round 2014 draft pick to Seattle in exchange for a first-round 2014 draft pick and a return of one of Seattle's allocated players to Chicago after the season was complete.
[25] Finally, on November 18, Seattle gave away Mewis, Michelle Betos, and their first two 2015 draft picks to the Boston Breakers in exchange for Sydney Leroux.
[32] Players that were 'unevenly' traded once this restriction was lifted include Amy LePeilbet (to Kansas City), Karina LeBlanc (to Chicago), and Verónica Pérez (to Washington).
The Western New York Flash dealt Carli Lloyd to the Houston Dash in exchange for Whitney Engen (and Becky Edwards).
[33] The Boston Breakers also traded Heather O'Reilly to FC Kansas City in exchange for unallocated rookies Morgan Marlborough and Kassey Kallman.
[34] Sophie Schmidt announced in January she would not play for Sky Blue FC nor the NWSL in order to focus on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
[38] On March 30 Western New York traded Wambach, Amber Brooks, and their 2016 first round draft pick to Seattle for Sydney Leroux and Amanda Frisbie.
[39] After the Women's World Cup, many allocated players announced or discussed their plans to retire from national and club football.
[40][41] Abby Wambach, who passed on the entire 2015 season, officially announced her retirement the day the USWNT visited the White House as part of their 2015 World Cup victory celebrations.
Before the 2016 season, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced that it would no longer allocate players to the NWSL, citing a lack of playing time.
[45][46] This new process, while first implemented for the 2016 Dispersal Draft, was rumored to have been finalized in time for Mallory Pugh to potential turn professional for the Portland Thorns.
On June 18, the Utah Royals acquired Press's rights from Houston in a three-team trade, and she joined the team later that month, before the scheduled end of her contract with Göteborg.
[63] After leaving the NWSL in 2017, Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé returned to the league prior to the 2019 season and was allocated to the North Carolina Courage.
[65] On August 10, 2020, midfielder Sam Mewis signed with Manchester City; North Carolina Courage retains her NWSL rights if she returns to the league.
[67] Lavelle signed with Manchester City two days later,[68] but OL Reign retains her NWSL rights if she returns to the league.
On August 18, 2020, defender Emily Sonnett signed with Göteborg; Orlando Pride retains her NWSL rights if she returns to the league.
[72][73] On September 12, 2020, Alex Morgan signed with Tottenham Hotspur; Orlando Pride retains her NWSL rights if she returns to the league.
[81] On February 24, 2021, Crystal Dunn and Lindsey Horan relinquished their federation player status and signed three-year contracts with Portland Thorns FC.
[86] On August 17, 2021, Portland Thorns FC traded Adrianna Franch to Kansas City in exchange for Abby Smith and $150,000 in allocation money.
[88] After the 2021 NWSL season, Emily Sonnett and Andi Sullivan relinquished their federation player status and signed two-year contracts with Washington Spirit.
[91] On December 2, 2021, Chicago Red Stars traded the rights to Julie Ertz, Sarah Gorden, and an international spot for 2022 and 2023 to Angel City FC in exchange for roster protection in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft.
[94] On December 6, 2021, Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Pugh relinquished their federation player status and signed multi-year contracts with Chicago Red Stars.