USWNT Abroad: As "High Impact Player" rule looms, and contracts overseas expire, players like Lindsey Heaps, Cat Macario and others weigh their options for 2026 | Goal.com Malaysia

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'High Impact Player' rule's impact

The NWSL announced just before Christmas that it will introduce a new “High Impact Player” (HIP) rule beginning in 2026, allowing teams to spend up to $1 million above the league’s salary cap on qualifying players.

The decision was met with opposition from the NWSL Players Association, which argues the league cannot unilaterally alter compensation structures without collective bargaining.

The NWSLPA issued a statement to ESPN saying it would take action “to enforce the rights of the Players we represent.” All of this came into fruition after Trinity Rodman's multiyear deal was denied by the league. As the USWNT weighed her next move, and still does, the NWSL entered a crossroads: How will they retain top talent?

The "High Impact Player" rule allegedly will allow a team like the Washington Spirit the funds to spend up to $1 million above the league's salary cap to retain a player like Rodman.

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Could Cat Macario venture to the NWSL?

Before 2025 came to a close, ESPN reported that several NWSL teams are monitoring the situation as Macario’s contract with Chelsea expires on July 1.

Under FIFA regulations, Macario will be eligible to sign a pre-contract with a new club six months before her deal ends, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. While there hasn't been word yet, there could very well be some movement from Macario stateside in the coming year. The NWSL's interest shouldn't come as any surprise, and now with the "High Impact Player" rule in effect, it's becoming more realistic that a U.S.-based club could sign a player of Macario's caliber.

Macario hasn't played in the NWSL; her time playing stateside has been for the USWNT and her college career at Stanford. Her entire club career has been in Europe, spending time with Lyon from 2021 to 2023 and Chelsea from 2023 to the present.

Since joining Chelsea, Macario has recorded seven goals and 35 appearances. Macario's role shifted back and forth between starter and sub, but she's proven effective as a playmaker - making three assists this season.

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Is Heaps tempted by Denver Summit's home tie?

Colorado has long been a women’s soccer mecca, producing USWNT stars like Lindsey Heaps, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson. Of that group, Heaps appears the most realistic homegrown target for Denver Summit, with the USWNT captain yet to publicly commit beyond her current spell at OL Féminin. While there has been no official indication of a move, the prospect of Heaps returning to the Rocky Mountain state has fueled optimism among local fans.

That contrast is sharpened by the situations of the other two. Wilson recently re-signed with the Portland Thorns through the 2026 season, cementing her long-term commitment to the NWSL, while Swanson remains closely tied to Chicago, though her maternity leave has kept discussion quiet around her next move. Together, those factors leave Heaps as the clearest potential Colorado-linked star on the market.

Speculation over Heaps' future is fueled by her relatively quiet season in France this campaign. After a 12-goal campaign in the 2024-25 season, she has had inconsistent playing time and scored three so far. If she sticks with OL Féminin, she'll likely be slated as one of the squad's most influential midfielders, especially since she's been with the club since 2022. Her quality is still evident as her matches against Montpellier, Saint-Étienne, and PSG proved that, scoring three goals across the board

When Heaps played in the NWSL, she was a league MVP in 2018 with Portland and also helped the club win a Championship in 2017.

Heaps hasn't been shy about her interest in playing for the home team.

"I think anyone would want to go play for their respective hometown team," Heaps said on the Women's Game podcast. "I think it would just be cool [if] my parents don't have to fly to a game and my whole family could come.

There has been no official indication that a move will materialize, though her contract with OL Féminin expires this summer.

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Girma's cemented impact abroad

While not transfer-related, this remains a key storyline for USWNT fans. After an injury-interrupted start to her Chelsea campaign, Girma has quickly established herself at center back for the Blues.

When Girma arrived from San Diego Wave in January 2025 in a world-record transfer fee for a defender, her Chelsea debut was delayed until early March, when she featured in a 2-2 Women’s Super League draw with Brighton. That appearance was cut short in the 59th minute by a calf issue, setting the tone for a stop-start introduction to English football. Despite the setbacks, Girma steadily rebuilt her fitness as the season progressed. She logged limited but valuable minutes, including a brief appearance against Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and slowly worked her way back into the starting conversation.

Her most complete performance of the season came on one of the biggest stages: the Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester United. Girma delivered a composed, authoritative defensive showing, playing a central role in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory and clean sheet.

Entering 2026, Girma’s trajectory points sharply upward, with a full offseason to regain peak fitness and a deeper understanding of Chelsea’s tactical demands. If she stays healthy, Girma is expected to claim a regular starting role, anchor Chelsea’s back line in domestic and European competition, and reassert herself as one of the most reliable defenders in the global game - a status underscored by Emma Hayes calling her the “best defender I’ve ever seen.”

Entering 2026, Girma’s trajectory points sharply upward with a full offseason to regain peak fitness and a deeper understanding of Chelsea’s tactical demands. If she stays healthy, Girma is expected to claim a regular starting role, anchor Chelsea’s back line in domestic and European competitions, and reassert herself as one of the most reliable defenders in the global game. Because, according to Emma Hayes, Girma is the "best defender I've ever seen."