The National Women’s Soccer League kick-start its 11th season this weekend with a full list of matches on the menu.
With the excitement increasing as the FIFA Women’s World approaches the crescendo as all players are looking to make the rosters for their national teams, its back to business for the NWSL.
Portland Thorns FC vs Orlando Pride
When is kick off? 26 March, 5:00 PM ET
Where is the match being played? Providence Park
TV channel/live stream? Paramount+, TSN+
Referee? Eric Tattersall
Reigning champions Portland Thorns FC, who beat Kansas City Current to the title, boast of an impressive roster with most, if not all, of its players eager to be present at the World Cup. Sophia Smith, Christine Sinclair, Crystal Dunn amongst others are the players available for selection by coach Mike Norris.
Portland Thorns FC team news
Off-season additions Reyna Reyes , F Izzy D’Aquila, F Lauren DeBeau , GK Lauren Kozal will be eager to hit the ground running as they look to impress the coaching staff. Sophia Smith, Christine Sinclair and Crystal Dunn are some of the players to watch for Thorns FC. Sophia Smith, whose 14 goals last season saw her win the championship MVP, will be eager to build on last season’s standout performances.
Orlando Pride team news
Off-season additions in D Emily Madril, F Messiah Bright, D Tori Hansen, M Summer Yates, F Kristen Scott, F Adrianna will all be out to impress the coaches as they look to announce their arrival amongst the big names. Marta returns after missing the entire last season through an ACL sustained in the 2022 Challenge Cup. The Brazilian will be one to watch for Orlando Pride as she is back healthy an fit.
North Carolina Courage vs Kansas City Current
Last year’s losing finalists Kansas City Current open their challenge for the top prize with a visit to WakeMed Soccer Park for a date against North Carolina Courage.
When is kick off? 25 March, 2:00 PM ET
Where is the match being played? WakeMed Soccer Park
TV channel/live stream? Paramount+
Referee? Alexandra Billeter
Kansas City Current team news
Kansas City Current made wholesale changes to the roster that went toe-to-toe with eventual winners Portland Thorns FC. Close season arrivals in M Vanessa DiBernardo, M Morgan Gautrat, D Kate Del Fava, F Mimi Larsson, F Marianna Larroquette, M Debinha, D Alex Loera, F Michelle Cooper, D Gabrielle Robinson (Draft), GK Jordan Silkowitz, D Mykiaa Minniss, D Ella Shamburger, F Alexa Spaanstra, M Rylan Childers, GK Ashley Orkus, M Desiree Scott, D Hanna Glas will all be aiming for starting berths in the season opener.
Brazilian midfielder Debinha, pinched from North Carolina Courage – KCC opponent for the season opener – and a key signing in a very busy offseason for the Kansas City Current, will be hoping to build on from where she left off last year when her 12 goals saw her finish third in the league. Debinha is no doubt one to watch for the season.
North Carolina Courage team news
Having lost Debinha amongst others in the off-season, the club will be hoping arrivals in D Estelle Johnson, F Olivia Wingate, M Clara Robbins, F Haley Hopkins, F Tyler Lussi, F Millie Gejl Jensen, D Emily Fox and M Narumi Miura will off set the gaps created by those departures.
Denise O’Sullivan, who has been a key driver for North Carolina since 2017, will be out to remain the mainstay of the team. O’Sullivan will be one to watch for North Carolina Courage.
San Diego Wave FC vs Chicago Red Stars
San Diego Wave FC, who were very competitive in the previous season, will host Chicago Fire Stars hoping to make the next step in their quest to land the coveted prize.
When is kick off? 25 March, 10:00 PM ET
Where is the match being played? Snapdragon Stadium
TV channel/live stream? CBS Sports Network,Fubo, DirecTv stream
Referee? Elton Garcia
San Diego Wave FC team news
After making some additions which saw the arrival of F Rachel Hill, M Danielle Colaprico, M Meggie Dougherty Howard, M Sierra Enge, GK Lauren Brzykcy and M Giovanna DeMarco during the off-season, San Diego Wave will be eager to get their season off to a quick start. Defender Naomi Girma will be eager to continue her rise to the very high again this season. Naomi Girma will be the one to watch for San Diego Wave.
Chicago Red Stars team news
Additions in M Addie McCain, F Jenna Bike, F Penelope Hocking, M Grace Yochum, F Ally Schlegel, M Sophie Jones and M Julia Bianchi will look to impress on the first day of the season. With her season already of to a flyer having impressed at the SheBelieves Cup for the USWNT, Mallory Swanson will be one to watch for Chicago Red Stars. She also recently penned a contract extension and her future looks to be settled, at least until the end of the season.
Washington Spirit vs OL Reign
Another exciting encounter beckons when 2021 champions Washington Spirit host OL Reign.
When is kick off? 26 March, 4:00 PM ET
Where is the match being played? Audi Field
TV channel/live stream? Paramount+
Referee? Alyssa Nichols
Washington Spirit team news
Close season additions in M Marissa Sheva, D Tori Huster, D Gabrielle Carle, D Camryn Biegalski, D Amber Brooks, GK Nicolle Barnhart, F Nicole Douglas , GK Lyza Bosselmann , F Riley Tanner (Draft), F Lena Silano , F Civana Kuhlmann, D Delaney Graham , M Ines Juarena, and teenage sensation M Chloe Ricketts will look to propel Washington to the title.
At just 20 years old, Trinity Rodman, who is in USWNT plans heading into the World Cup, will surely be after some impressive statistics to heading into the World Cup,
OL Reign team news
Having made just four additions in F Elyse Bennett, D Emily Ann Sonnett, D Shea Holmes, M Natalie Viggiano, OL Reign will be out to improve from last season and claim the top gong having settled for NWSL Shield last season.
USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle will be hoping to take her international form to club football having been a key member for USA over the past few months.
Houston Dash vs Racing Louisville FC
The Houston side could do with a win to bolster start to the season when they host Racing Louisville FC.
When is kick off? 26 March, 7:00 PM ET
Where is the match being played? Shell Energy Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Paramount+
Referee? Danielle Chesky
Houston Dash team news
Latest arrivals K Devon Kerr, M Havana Saloun, F Dianna Ordonez, M Sophie Hirst, D Jylissa Harris, D Lindsi Jennings (Draft), D Madelyn Desiano and D Courtney Peterson will be aiming to ensure they help the side start the season well.
Forward Diana Ordonez will be a welcome addition to the ultra-defensive Houston Dash team and her goals will be important for Houston Dash this season, Diana Ordonez arrives from North Carolina Courage having broken the NWSL rookie record for scoring 11 goals.
Racing Louisville FC team news
Having added D Elli Pikkujämsä, F Ary Borges, F Kayla Fischer, D Brianna Martinez, M Jaydyn Edwards, F Riley Parker, F Paige Monaghan, D Carson Pickett, D Abby Erceg and F Uchenna Kanu to the team, Louisville FC will look to start the season on a high.
Defender of the Year nominee Carson Pickett will be one to watch for Louisville FC having had a breakout season.
Angel City FC vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
The opening weekend concludes with Angel City playing host to NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday.
When is kick off? 26 March, 9:00 PM ET
Where is the match being played? BMO Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Paramount+
Referee? Elijio Arreguin
Angel City FC team news
The off-season saw player like F Alyssa Thompson, GK Angelina Anderson, D Merritt Mathias, F Katie Johnson added to the roster.
Alyssa Thompson will be under pressure to live up to the hype but that will not deter her from being one to watch for Angel City.
NJ/NY Gotham FC team news
Veteran Kelley O’Hara will add much needed experience to the NJ/NY Gotham FC team
