With the Utah Royals getting their own NWSL News of Note special edition, here are the other notables from elsewhere in the league:
- Wake Forest defender Zara Chavoshi, who appeared in the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup for Canada, has been signed to a one-year deal by the Orlando Pride.
- The Washington Spirit have acquired relative unknown Tamara Bolt via a transfer from Brazilian club SC Internacional.
- 19-year-old Nigerian striker Chiamaka Okwuchukwu was signed by the San Diego Wave via a transfer.
- The Seattle Reign have retained midfielder Maddie Mercado, who was a free agent after her 2024 rookie season.
Orlando Pride: Wake Forest defender and Canadian youth international Zara Chavoshi signed to one-year contract
On Monday (press release), Orlando announced its first rookie signing in the post-draft era: Zara Chavoshi, who recently wrapped up four seasons playing for the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest.
Chavoshi, who was born in Delaware, is a former Canada youth international and was a member of Canada’s squad at the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
Zara Chavoshi
- Position(s): Defender (right outside-back)
- Height: 5’8″
- Age: 22 (born 6-Dec-2002)
- Hometown: Potomac, Maryland
- FIFA Nationalities: Canada and USA, also looks to be eligible for Vietnam and Iran
- NCAA Team: Wake Forest (2021-2024)
- NCAA Career Stats: 2 goals and 4 assists over 74 matches (4 seasons)
- NWSL Contract Details: Signed through
- Press Release: “Orlando Pride signs defender Zara Chavoshi” (13-Jan-2025)
- U.S. YNT Experience: No
- January 2025 Futures Camp: No
- Notables: was a member of Canada’s squad for the 2022 FIFA U-20 WWC
Washington Spirit: Brazilian forward Tamara Bolt acquired via transfer
Last Thursday (January 9th press release), the Spirit announced the acquisition of forward Tamara Bolt from Brazilian club SC Internacional on a one-season contract with twin mutual options for the 2026 and 2027 NWSL seasons (NWSL Transaction Tracker).
The signing of the 21-year-old Tamara, whose nickname was inspired by Usain Bolt, is one of the more curious transactions ahead of the 2025 season, as she is something of an ‘unknown’ with no known youth or senior international call-ups.
Described as a forward in the Spirit’s press release, the 5’9″ Tamara Bolt had been primarily utilized as a right outside-back (“lateral-direita” in a 2023 news article and a 2025 news article) by SC Internacional.
San Diego Wave: Nigerian forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu acquired via transfer on one-year contract
On Monday (press release), the Wave announced their first signing of the Jonas Eidevall era: 19-year-old forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu. The Nigerian youth international was acquired via a transfer from River Angels FC of the Nigerian Women’s Premier League. Okwuchukwu’s contract is for the 2025 NWSL season with no option.
The 5’3″ Okwuchukwu was a member of Nigeria’s squad at the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. At that tournament, Okwuchukwu scored twice, both in the group stage: She poached an equalizer against Germany (FIFA YouTube highlights) and had a header goal against Venezuela (FIFA YouTube highlights).
Seattle Reign: Midfielder Maddie Mercado re-signed for 2025 NWSL season
On Monday (press release), the Reign announced that first-year midfielder Maddie Mercado would return for a second season in the NWSL after signing a one-year contract.
A native of San Diego, Mercado was a second-round selection by the Reign in the 2024 NWSL Draft and was signed to a one-season contract in March 2024 (press release).
Mercado only saw limited action during the regular season, appearing in five matches and registering just 32 official minutes (NWSL stats). Her first regular season goal was scored in the Reign’s final match of 2024 against the Orlando Pride. Mercado also had two starts in the Summer Cup and netted a goal against Club Tijuana.
Before her NWSL career, Mercado played five seasons, from 2019 to 2023, at At Notre Dame (player profile), primarily as a forward. She tallied 26 goals and notched 12 assists over 94 matches.
Mercado has attended over a dozen United States youth camps and was a member of the USA’s squad for the 2016 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship.
Quick Notes
Former San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney was officially announced as the new head coach of the Canada Women’s National Team on Monday.
Retired NWSL player Mana Shim was called up to the United States Women’s Futsal National Team’s January camp (U.S. Soccer press release). She previously attended an identification camp in 2023.
Women's Soccer Express 