RIGHT-FOOTED ATTACKER BRINGS FOUR SEASONS OF NWSL EXPERIENCE TO ROSES ATTACK
Montreal, February 3, 2026 - The Montréal Roses are pleased to announce the signing of American forward Elyse Bennett, who brings four seasons of top-flight North American experience and a stint in Spain’s Liga F to the club.
Selected 7th overall by the Kansas City Current in the 2022 NWSL Draft, the 26-year-old has built a professional résumé that spans four NWSL clubs and one European stop. In her rookie season with Kansas City, she made 21 appearances, recording three goals and two assists. She was traded to OL Reign in January 2023 for $150,000 in allocation money, where she made 29 appearances across all competitions.
Following the 2023 season, Bennett was selected 2nd overall in the NWSL Expansion Draft by the Utah Royals before being traded to San Diego Wave FC. With San Diego, she made 14 regular season appearances. She also started in the 2024 Challenge Cup - a single preseason match between the league’s reigning champions and Shield winners - which the Wave won 1-0 over NJ/NY Gotham FC.
In early 2025, Bennett signed with Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain’s Liga F, where she made nine appearances. Her lone goal for the club proved decisive: a 92nd-minute equalizer against Sevilla FC that helped Deportivo avoid relegation. She returned to the NWSL in August 2025, signing a short-term contract with reigning champions Orlando Pride, where she was part of an attacking group that included six-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta and Barbra Banda, the 2024 NWSL Championship MVP.
Before turning professional, Bennett was one of the most decorated players in Washington State University history. Across five seasons (2017-2021), she recorded 26 goals and 12 assists in 93 career appearances - the second highest total in program history. In her final year, she led the Cougars with 10 goals and four assists, earning United Soccer Coaches All-American (Second Team) and All-Pac-12 (First Team) recognition.
“Elyse has played at a high level across multiple environments in North America and Europe,” said Marinette Pichon, sporting director of the Roses. “She’s a forward with good attacking instincts, capable of playing centrally or out wide. Her speed and size will be assets at the top of our attack - the offensive combinations we can create are exciting to think about.”
“When I learned about Montreal’s interest, it didn’t take long to make up my mind,” said Bennett. “This is a club that’s building something special. I’m excited to get started.”
Bennett joins a Roses attack that is taking shape ahead of the club’s second season in the Northern Super League. The club now has 23 players under contract for the 2026 campaign. Training camp opens February 16 at the Roses training centre, with the regular season set to begin in April.
