TThe National Women’s Soccer League enters its twelfth regular season this weekend, starting with an afternoon game in the Midwest between Kansas City Current and the Portland Thorns. That marks the first match at CPKC Stadium, the NWSL’s first women’s football venue, and the first purpose-built women’s sports stadium in the world. And that’s just one of a few exciting evolutions in the American game.
What’s new? This season starts with two new teams. The introduction of Bay FC and return of Utah Royals (back for the first time since 2020) brings the league total to 14.
With more teams comes more matches. Teams will face the longest season in the league’s history as they crisscross the country playing 26 games. Because the regular season lasts from March 16 to November 3 (and the playoffs are scheduled through November 23), the Olympic Games fall in the middle of the year. That is why there is a mid-season break from June 8 to August 18. The NWSL clubs will organize a tournament with the remaining players during that period.
The Challenge Cup shifts to a new format this year. The fifth edition heralds a new era as each campaign begins with the reigning champions and Supporters Shield winners playing a one-off trophy match. On Friday, Gotham FC will host the San Diego Wave to kick off.
Finally, after years of growth and interest, 2024 heralds a groundbreaking broadcast partnership. In a massive expansion from previous deals, NWSL signed a four-year, $240 million broadcast partnership that will show the league on CBS Sports, ESPN, Scripps ION and Prime Video.
Storylines to follow The success of expansion teams will be interesting to observe, especially given their different approaches. Bay FC has made a huge splash by signing a number of international talents such as Nigeria’s player of the year Asisat Oshoala, Deyna Castellanos, Jen Beattie and Racheal Kundananji, whose transfer fee of $785,000 from Madrid CFF set a world record. The Utah Royals, on the other hand, have chosen to rely on young talent, local Utah players returning home and a mix of pre-existing NWSL players brought under the tutelage of a humility and hard work ethic. The juxtaposition is stark, though neither approach guarantees success or failure in their debut season.
Is Gotham the powerhouse predicted? In a competition based on equality and competitiveness, it is difficult to break through as a “super team”. But last year’s NWSL champions certainly tried. This offseason, they took advantage of the league’s new free-agency rules (which added more autonomy to player decisions) to add Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett and Tierna Davidson to Juan Carlos’ squad Amoros. That quartet of USWNT players joins an already stacked roster with big expectations. Whether they meet them will be fascinating to see.
Staying competitive with the world’s leading leagues and clubs is certainly the most important thing in competition. Differentiation measures are already underway to attract and retain the world’s top talent, evidenced in part by the flow of record deals that keep top talent staying or coming to the United States. That includes the then Mexican international Maria Sánchez’s recording contract to remain with Houston Dash and Mallory Swanson’s contract to remain with Chicago Red Stars, as well as the big names and records set by Jessie Fleming to Portland, Oshoala and Kundananji to Bay to get. FC and, most recently, Barbra Banda to Orlando Pride (the second highest transfer in women’s football).
Other factors, such as Kansas City’s new stadium and changing regulations to attract more international talent, will be critical to remaining globally competitive. In a similar vein, the NWSL faces new competition on home soil as the USL Super League launches this year as a second top-tier women’s league in the United States.
In terms of tactics and coaching, eight coaching changes (including the return of Becki Tweed as Angel City’s permanent manager) will have a major impact. Many of them, including Bay FC’s Albertin Montoya, have hinted at changes in the league’s playing style and want to play with a more possession-based, ‘beautiful game’ approach. Barcelona’s prized Jonatan Giráldez, who will take over the Washington Spirit, will be one of the more interesting coaching changes to watch, not least because he arrives mid-season.
In an Olympic year, the passionate energy of a host of international players, alongside a large US player pool, all competing for a few places through their club performances, adds an element of intrigue to the season. The US, Canada, Brazil and Japan all have large numbers of players in the NWSL. Australia and New Zealand also have a few. Should Zambia and Nigeria qualify next month, they will also find new key players in the United States.
Predictions Anyone in a league this chaotic is a fool’s errand, but here are a few. Sophia Smith is named MVP. Rookie of the year is Croix Bethune. Coach of the year? Montoya. Gotham will take the Supporters Shield, but the champion will be Portland.
Quote of the week
I can finally do what I love most, which is playing, competing and winning. I’m looking forward to adding to my score, I want to enjoy myself on the pitch with my teammates and above all, keep winning everything” – Alexia Putellas, who returned to Barcelona last weekend for the first time since November. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner had been sidelined by knee surgery but wasted no time in scoring a goal.
Discussion points
Crowd Capacity: Australia will play China on May 13 in front of their 13th consecutive sell-out crowd on home soil, dating back to before their historic World Cup. Played at the Adelaide Oval, with a capacity of 53,500, tickets sold out within an hour.
Giving a statement: As part of an International Women’s Day celebration, World Cup Champions Alba Redondo and Ivana Andrés addressed Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourgwhere they advocated more equal opportunities for girls. La Roja‘s representatives argued that sports can provide essential role models to help reach new heights.
New ground: Two days after the US won the first Concacaf W Gold Cup, the country has announced the launch of the region’s first official continental club competition. The annual one W Championship Cup will serve as a qualifier for the new FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. From August there will be a preliminary round between one club from Canada and El Salvador, followed by a group stage with clubs from Costa Rica (1), Jamaica (1), Panama (1), Mexico (3) and the US (3).
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Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Wrack, Emma Sanders and Anita Asante to discuss the FA Cup quarter-finals, Conti Cup and the draw for Euro 2025. Listen to this.
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There was a lot of talent on display at the W Gold Cup. Canada lost to the US in the semi-finals (in controversial weather conditions), but the reigning gold medalists showcased a number of rising stars, including 19-year-old Olivia Smith (Sporting CP), who was named the young player of the tournament while she played 202 minutes, had two assists and scored two goals, including this one.
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England’s plans for a training camp for their players in June have reignited tensions between club and country. Suzanne Wrack has the full story.
And Chelsea’s Jess Carter talks to Xaymaca Awoyungbo about the departure of Emma Hayes, who is a ‘queer icon’ and will take on Arsenal in a WSL summit at Stamford Bridge on Friday.