Of the 40 players that had their named called in the 2021 NWSL Draft, 18 have opted to return for their extra season of eligibility in the season that starts this week.

Can they tilt balance of power in college soccer? Per a source, the current rules from the NWSL perspective are that those teams have their rights until the 2022 preseason. Draft stock isn’t at stake for most of these players, though the chance to look abroad could be there.

Regardless, these eight players could be key in the upcoming season.