Washington Spirit forward Laura del Río was named to the NWSL re-entry wire today after her contract with the Spirit expired and the Spirit opted to not offer the Spanish midfielder a new contract. The team’s leading scorer, Estefania Banini, was offered a new contract but per Spirit spokesperson the midfielder neither signed the contract nor declined it and Banini might return after her season in Spain finishes in May.
The NWSL re-entry wire, formerly known as the waiver wire, is a method for other NWSL clubs to claim a player's rights. If a club doesn't pick up a player's option or the player's contract expires, the club must place the player on the re-entry wire.