NWSL’s New High Impact Player Rule Sparks Controversy and Speculation

omidbasir- Just before Christmas, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced the implementation of a new rule called the “High Impact Player” (HIP) rule, set to take effect in 2026. This rule will permit teams to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million for qualifying players.

The announcement has faced pushback from the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA), which contends that the league cannot unilaterally alter compensation structures without engaging in collective bargaining. In a statement to ESPN, the NWSLPA expressed its intent to take action to uphold the rights of the players it represents. This development follows the league’s denial of Trinity Rodman’s multiyear contract, prompting the USWNT star to reconsider her options. The NWSL now finds itself at a crucial juncture: how can it retain its top talent?

The HIP rule is expected to enable teams like the Washington Spirit to allocate additional funds to retain players such as Rodman. As 2025 draws to a close, ESPN reported that several NWSL franchises are monitoring the situation regarding Catarina Macario’s contract with Chelsea, which is set to expire on July 1, 2026. According to FIFA regulations, Macario will be eligible to sign a pre-contract with a new club starting January 1, 2026, six months prior to her contract’s conclusion. Although there have been no official announcements yet, there is a possibility of Macario making a return to the U.S. in the near future. Given the new HIP rule, the prospect of signing a player of Macario’s caliber seems increasingly realistic for a U.S.-based club.

To date, Macario has not played in the NWSL; her experience in the U.S. has been with the national team and during her collegiate career at Stanford. Her entire professional career has been spent in Europe, where she played for Lyon from 2021 to 2023 and has been with Chelsea since then. Since joining Chelsea, Macario has achieved seven goals in 35 appearances, alternating between starting and substitute roles while making significant contributions as a playmaker with three assists this season.

Colorado has long been recognized as a hub for women’s soccer, producing USWNT talents like Lindsey Heaps, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson. Among these, Heaps appears to be the most viable homegrown target for the Denver Summit, especially as the USWNT captain has not publicly committed beyond her current contract with OL Féminin. While no official move has been indicated, the potential of Heaps returning to her home state has ignited optimism among local fans.

In contrast, Wilson has recently re-signed with the Portland Thorns through the 2026 season, solidifying her long-term commitment to the NWSL. Swanson, while tied to Chicago, is currently on maternity leave, making discussions regarding her future relatively quiet. These circumstances position Heaps as the most prominent potential acquisition linked to Colorado.

Heaps’ future is further fueled by her inconsistent playing time this season in France, where she has scored three goals following a stellar 12-goal campaign in the previous season. Should she remain with OL Féminin, she is poised to be one of the team’s key midfielders, especially since she has been with the club since 2022. Her quality has been demonstrated through strong performances against teams like Montpellier, Saint-Étienne, and PSG.

During her time in the NWSL, Heaps was named league MVP in 2018 while playing for Portland and contributed to the club’s Championship win in 2017. Heaps has expressed a desire to play for her hometown team, stating, “I think anyone would want to go play for their respective hometown team. It would be cool if my parents don’t have to fly to a game and my whole family could come.”

Although there are no definitive plans for a transfer, her contract with OL Féminin is set to expire this summer, making her situation a noteworthy storyline for USWNT supporters.

In a different context, the trajectory of Naomi Girma is also of interest to USWNT fans. Following an injury-plagued start to her season with Chelsea, Girma has quickly established herself as a central defender for the Blues. After joining Chelsea from San Diego Wave for a world-record transfer fee in January 2025, Girma’s debut was hindered by a calf issue, affecting her early appearances. However, she has steadily regained her fitness and contributed valuable minutes, including a brief stint against Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Girma’s most significant performance thus far came during the Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester United, where she played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory and clean sheet. As the 2026 season approaches, Girma is poised for a promising trajectory. With a full offseason to regain peak fitness and an improved understanding of Chelsea’s tactical requirements, she is expected to secure a regular starting position, solidify Chelsea’s defense in both domestic and European competitions, and reaffirm her status as one of the world’s most reliable defenders, a sentiment echoed by Emma Hayes, who referred to her as the “best defender I’ve ever seen.”