Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher and four other Red Stars announced as allocated players for 2021 season

The Chicago Red Stars will feature six allocated players for the upcoming 2021 season.

Defenders Tierna Davidson and Casey Krueger, midfielder Julie Ertz, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and forward Mal Pugh were named to the list of allocated players by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Defender Bianca St. Georges is a newly allocated player in 2021 by Canada Soccer.

Morgan Gautrat is no longer allocated by U.S. soccer.

What does being an allocated player mean?

The simplest explanation is that their salaries will be paid for by the U.S. Soccer Federation and Canada Soccer, respectively. This frees up money for teams to invest in better salaries for other players.

Seems simple enough, right? The introduction of allocation money in 2019 by the NWSL complicated things. When it was first introduced, teams were able to purchase up to $300,000 in allocation money from the league. That money gave teams extra cushion to invest in current or future players above the team’s salary cap and allowed players to earn more than the league’s max salary.

Originally though, the rules stated: “allocation money may not be used for Canadian or U.S. allocated players.”

Multiple reports from The Athletic and Equalizer have laid out that USWNT players will have access to the NWSL’s allocation money. This opens up opportunities for players to sign big contracts worth more than what they’d make under federation status.

While none of the Red Stars’ five USWNT allocated players have opted to pursue this model in 2021, that could certainly change.

Davidson, Krueger, Ertz and Naeher contributed to the national team’s second consecutive SheBelieves Cup title. USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski has used humor to avoid any indication of who will be part of his 18-player Olympic roster.

When asked how many roster spots are open at this stage, he gave little insight.

“Right now, 18,” Andonovski said ahead of his team’s 6-0 win over Argentina Wednesday night. “But we’re getting closer.”

All five USWNT allocated players will continue preparing for possibly being part of the final 18-player Olympic roster while simultaneously preparing for the NWSL’s ninth season.

Davidson has expressed a continued effort to keep a level perspective when considering Andonovski’s Olympic roster and the depth of high-quality players he has to choose from.

“I think for myself I’m focusing on showing up to practice every day and showing up to the games every day,” Davidson said. “It’s hard to think about it and to try and place myself amongst the 18 without getting too carried away.”