The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) begins this weekend and you’ll be right to be excited. After an unpredictable end to the 22/23 season that saw NY/NJ Gotham become champions and San Diego Wave winning the shield, both picking up these trophies for the first time in their history. We are no doubt going to be in for another record-breaking rollercoaster of a ride this season.
For everyone who is new to the NWSL, clubs play a regular season where all the teams compete for the shield, meaning that whatever team finishes the season with the most points will win the shield. They also play for the Challenge Cup which will be played between the shield winners and the championship winners for this upcoming season, this year between Gotham and San Diego Wave.
What to expect from this season of the NWSL?
In addition to the likes of Casey Stoney, more of Europe’s finest are crossing the Atlantic, including Jonatan Giraldez who previously managed Barcelona Femení and had major success. Alongside fan favourite Jen Beattie and world-class players such as Asisat Oshoala, Barbara Banda and Feli Rauch.
The league welcomes two new teams this season, Bay FC and Utah Royals who will be making a return to the NWSL after they were disbanded in 2020. This means that there will be fourteen teams competing in what I expect to be the most competative season ever
Angle City – With the potential return of Christen Press and Tobin Heath, Angel City will be top-heavy with talent that also includes the Thompson sisters Alyssa and Gisele alongside Sydney Leroux. However, they will be without forward Jun Edo who sustained a season-ending ACL injury during training last month.
They finished fifth in the league last season which qualified them for the Challenge Cup but they did not leave the group stages.
Bay FC – This is the debut season for this new expansion team. Coming into such a dominant league with players who have played at some of the highest levels will give this team the edge that they need to establish themselves. With world-class players such as Jen Beattie and Asisat Oshoala, Bay are surely going to bring a new level of competition to the league.
Chicago Red Stars – After finishing bottom of the NWSL standings last season meaning that they were unable to compete for any silverware. They are looking to bounce back from a disastrous season. With new coaching staff coming into the club we can potentially see a completely new playing style. The potential return of Mallory Swanson means that they will be vital and clinical on the attack. Alongside the new signing of Jamaica’s 24-year-old Sydney Schneider. She possesses a wealth of experience at international level, Champions League and NWSL with Washington Spirit and Kansas City Current.
NJ/NY Gotham FC – From bottom to top, what a season for Gotham. After becoming the NWSL Champions they are looking to retain their title. following the retirement of captain Ali Krieger and the signings of world-class stars such as Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnet, Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle. Gotham has the squad depth and talent to retain their title and compete for more silverware. Alongside the young talented, Maycee Bell, Gotham is looking to dominate the league.
Houston Dash – With a successful draft and the signing of some experienced players, they are looking to compete for the big prizes. The Dash have brought in Fran Alonso as Head Coach. Alonso has a wealth of knowledge and a long list of honours to his name having previously managed Women’s Championship side Lewes and most recently Celtic in the Scottish Women’s Premier League where they won three of the four competitions they competed in they also qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice during his time at the club. His positive attitude will be as important as his positive playing style. Expect attacking football.
Kansas City Current – After finishing eleventh the club will be hoping for and expecting more under the guidance of former US national team coach Vlatko Andonovski. Pressure will be on Brazil international Debinha to fire them into contention for honours although the odds will be stacked against them. One to watch will be Alex Pfeiffer!
North Carolina Courage – After finishing third in the league last season they had the opportunity to compete for silverware although they lost in the Quarter Finals to the eventual winners Gotham. With a successful draft and transfer window they have brought in Germany’s Feli Rauch who has a wealth of talent and experience from Wolfsburg and drafted american talent, Ashley Sanchez. Courage also re-signed their head coach Sean Nahas until 2026.
Orlando Pride – After a not-so-successful draft but a very successful transfer window Orlando has increased their squad depth and signed some quality players such as Barbra Banda and Morgan Brian. Banda has been prolific at international level and will need to hit the ground running.
Portland Thorns – After finishing second in the league they are looking to fight to become champions of the NWSL for the fourth time. Also losing to the eventual winners Gotham in the playoffs for the challenge cup. They also want to achieve a better result in the challenge cup. After having a successful draft and signing some key players and having a shift in the coaching staff bringing in Jordan Franken as a goalkeeper coach. With changes to the coaching staff and the recruitment of new players, can we see a different Portland Thorns this season?
Racing Louisville FC – With the signing of veteran and teenage superstars with four selections in the draft. Alongside players that have played on the world’s biggest stage such as Elexa Bahr and Milly Clegg. With Bev Yanez being promoted to head coach and naming her assistants as Moscato and Sowerby. We could be seeing a new and improved Louisville for the upcoming season.
San Diego Wave – The Shield Champions were eliminated in the Semi-Finals of the playoffs. Can they do any better? I think so! With the new signings and the NWSL draft picks. Casey Stoney is creating a winning squad. The most interesting signing has been young Matilda defender Kaitlyn Torpey who has recently been called up to the senior squad, an exceptional young player who has a bright future ahead of her. Draft singing Mya Jones will also be one to watch. Wave also successfully re-signed the contracts of star players Emily Van Egmond and Kyra Carusa.
Seattle Reign FC – Having gone through a rebranding which made them go from OL Reign to Seattle Reign. They are looking to make history for their new brand. With a successful draft and signing some key signings such as Angharad James and Lilly Woodham, the two Welsh internationals joined their teammate Jess Fishlock. Also, talented midfielder Ji So-Yun who has a wealth of experience after spending eight seasons at Chelsea. They also drafted Sam Meza, Maddie Mercado and Makena Carr.
Laura Harvey has created a talented and experienced squad for the upcoming season. They did finish fourth in the shield standings last season and made it to the final against NJ/NY Cotham for the champions of the NWSL. They are looking to better their results and compete for silverware.
Utah Royals – The return of an old team for the upcoming season. The Royals competed in the NWSL from 2018 to 2020 before they were disbanded and their players transferred to Kansas City as it was then known for the 2020 season. With former player Amy Rodriguez being named head coach. They last finished sixth out of nine teams in the league in the 2019 season. With some key signings and drafted players such as Canadian defender Zoe Burns and Ally Sentnor. Can Utah make a statement result in their first season back in the NWSL? Probably not, but it’s great to see them back.
Washington Spirit – After a mid-table performance which saw them finishing 8th in the standing which also meant they were unable to compete for silverware. After signing a new head coach for the upcoming seasons Jonatan Giraldez who not only has a wealth of experience to his name but a number of silverware to his name during his three year career with them. With a successful draft where they added six players to their roster for the upcoming season alongside the signings of Casey Krueger and Brittany Ratcliffe. Giraldez has a large and experienced squad at his disposal for the upcoming season.
With new players, new managers and most importantly new teams. It will be a fight to see who comes out on top. The NWSL season starts on March 16th 2024. Will you be watching?
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