Year five of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is here. Let’s have a look at how each team shapes up for the 2017 campaign and a few of the storylines to watch all season.
Boston Breakers
2016 Regular Season: 3-15-2, 11 points, 10th place
Last Year
Former Liverpool Ladies manager Matt Beard was brought in last year to turn this struggling franchise around after back-to-back bottom-third finishes. Unfortunately for the two-time FA Women’s Super League title-winning coach, the ball never got rolling for his side — injuries, a lack of consistency, and the league’s worst defensive record are never ingredients for success and the Breakers finished in the cellar for the second straight year. No individual player scored more than three goals and the team could only muster 14 goals in 20 matches and a fair few of Beards’ international signings (Eunice Beckmann, Louise Schillgard, Ghoutia Karchouni) failed to make an impact on the field.
This Year
Many gave Beard a pass last year because of the steep learning curve that accompanies learning the lay of the land in NWSL. In the offseason Beard carved up the roster by bringing in a mix of hungry veterans and promising young talent; only eight players carry over from 2016 (two being goalkeepers). While goal scoring was an issue last year, defense was the immediate area that needed help. So in comes Canadian international Allysha Chapman from the Houston Dash, Megan Oyster from the Washington Spirit, and Amanda Frisbie, who enjoyed a strong half-season in Iceland last year. Each should make an immediate impact and easily could be day one starters.
The Liverpool Ladies connection remains alive and well in Boston as Amanda DaCosta arrives after a trade from the Chicago Red Stars and New Zealand international and UCLA alum Rosie White returns stateside. Up front, Natasha Dowie came in toward the end of last year and scored three goals in seven matches. Dowie’s availability for a full season means she can establish herself as the go-to striker and could end up tallying in the double digits by the end of the season.
What to Watch For
Youthful exuberance. The Breakers had FOUR first-round draft picks and went for skillful and quick players. Rose Lavelle, Morgan Andrews, and Midge Purce all signed with the team relatively early into preseason and should compete for starting roles right away. Lavelle will be the focal point of this trio after cementing herself with promising performances with the U.S. Women’s National Team. She has all of the qualities to be a standout for club and country: her fearless play on the field, unmatched technical ability on the ball for her age, and a world-class personality — it’s easy to expect big things to come from this one
Chicago Red Stars
2016 Regular Season Record: 9-5-6, 33 points, 3rd place // Postseason: lost in the semifinals to the Washington Spirit
Last Year
The Red Stars had a lot going for them last season. They brought in Alyssa Naeher to replace Karina LeBlanc as the number one goalkeeper and added to the back line by signing Casey Short. Both players made a big impact right away as Chicago had the second best defensive record in the league. Down the stretch, however, head coach Rory Dames’ team left too many points on the table after winning only one of their final four matches, setting up a road semifinal at Washington. No matter how much Christen Press did up front in that rainy semifinal, it wasn’t enough and for the second straight year Chicago saw their season cut short.
This Year
Dames has built this team through the draft and signing key veterans. He pretty much already had his 2017 roster set once the offseason began and made a pair of moves by trading Amanda DaCosta and signing former North Carolina Tar Heel Summer Green. The back four will remain the same from last year and could be one of the best in the league. Perennially underrated Vanessa DiBernardo is coming off of a seven-assist campaign and will once again continue to be the main facilitator for the many attacking options on this team.
What to Watch For
A give-and-take between Press and Sofia Huerta. It’s no secret that both Christen Press and Sophia Huerta are quality strikers. When both players are on the field at the same time, however, only one scores — usually Press. Last year, Huerta bagged seven goals in 20 matches, but nearly all of those came when Press was on international duty. And that was something that frustrated Dames week in and week out that Huerta for whatever reason could not score when she played alongside Press. But now with no major international competition for the U.S. this year, these two need to find a way to get on the score sheet together. If not, expect Stephanie McCaffrey, who was brought in late in the season in a trade with Boston, to get more looks than Huerta.
Houston Dash
2016 Regular Season: 6-10-4, 22 points, 8th place
Last Year
Many pegged Houston to not only make a serious run at the playoffs in 2016 but also make it to the championship game (held in their own stadium). After their convincing 3-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars in the opening week, the confidence in those predictions rose. What many didn’t see happening was how fast it would go downhill from there, highlighted by six consecutive 1-0 losses between May 14 and June 12. Chalk those losses up to the Dash’s key group of strikers never clicking after week one. Rachel Daly finished with just four goals, Janine Beckie never translated her goal-scoring for Canada over to Houston, and when Carli Lloyd was available, she scored but only played in seven matches. The only saving grace last year was Kealia Ohai singlehandedly carrying the team offensively in the second half of the year to finish tied atop the goal-scoring charts with Lynn Williams of the then Western New York Flash. Outside of those woes, 2016 went down as a year in which the team fell very short of their expected goals.
This Year
Head Coach Randy Waldrum made slight alterations and changes to his roster in the offseason, mostly bringing in experienced defenders. Brazilian international Bruna Benites and South African international Janine van Wyk enter the fray and should help shore up some of the defensive issues the Dash had last year. Not too much was changed in the middle and Waldrum drafted Nichelle Prince, who was a standout at Ohio State and a member of the Canadian Olympic team in Rio, to add to the attacking unit. The big question for the Dash this season is how the team will respond when Carli Lloyd rejoins the team after her spell with Manchester City. Lloyd is a difference-maker on the field but there was some noticeable friction between her and the club off the field, noticeably after Rio, due to communications issues. Sometimes absence makes the heart fonder so it will be interesting to see how the
What to Watch For
Lack of positive results. At the end of the day, you never want to call for somebody’s job. Waldrum has the credentials at the college level but he hasn’t delivered with the Dash in his three years. As an expansion team and roughly two months to put together a roster, a pass may be in order for year one. With the talent he has had to work with, you have to expect the Dash to be a playoff contender by now. If that doesn’t change after this season, will the Dash bring in someone who can get them to the postseason?
FC Kansas City
2016 Regular Season Record: 7-8-5, 26 points, 6th place
Last Year
Ideally, when you average giving up one goal per game, you stand a pretty good chance of winning most games. FC Kansas City’s issue was goal scoring; they had just one true goal scorer on the roster and as a team, netted a grand total of 18 goals in 20 matches. For all of the good things they had going for them defensively last year, it didn’t translate into many wins. The team had to adjust to life without Lauren Holiday, who retired after their 2015 NWSL Championship winning season, as well as Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux, who were both on maternity leave. Becky Sauerbrunn, Heather O’Reilly, Katie Bowen, and Desiree Scott all missed portions of the season due to international service but there were bright spots: Shea Groom had a tremendous season in which she scored eight goals (which nearly represented half the team’s tally) and Nicole Barnhart was every bit as good as expected and was very unlucky to not win the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award.
This Year
Take the positives from last year, plus add back in Leroux and Rodriguez into the mix as well as having Sauerbrunn, Bowen, and Scott available for the full year, and you (probably) can re-pencil in Kansas City in as a playoff contender. The one tough loss with be dealing with the loss of the creativity out wide from O’Reilly, who is with Arsenal Ladies. First-round draft pick and future U.S. Women’s National Teamer Christina Gibbons could slot into O’Reilly’s spot and maintain the pace and technical ability the team had in that position.
What to Watch For
A big piece of hitting full potential will be what Leroux and Rodriguez can do after a year off. A-Rod’s been through this before after missing all of 2013 due to pregnancy and came back in 2014 to score 13 goals and lead the club to its first title. But can she do it again? If she can net half of the goals she had in 2014 and get to looking like a player scoring for fun, the Blues are in business. We haven’t seen Leroux’s best goal scoring form since she scored 11 for the Boston Breakers in 2013. But she came into preseason this year very motivated to get back into the USWNT mix and if she can work well with Groom and A-Rod up top, boy, that front three could be very scary. If it doesn’t work, however, it could be another very long season for this club.
North Carolina Courage
2016 Regular Season Record (as the Western New York Flash): 9-6-5, 34 points, 4th place // Postseason: NWSL Champions, defeated the Washington Spirit in penalties
Last Year
Any time you see a Paul Riley team take to the field, you expect goals to fly. That’s exactly what happened. They were the only team to crack the two-goals-per-game category during the regular season and had two players to crack the 10-plus goal mark for the year in Lynn Williams and Jessica McDonald. While their defensive record was shaky at times (two teams that didn’t make the playoffs last year had a better goals allowed total than the Flash), they were satisfied to give up two goals per match as long as they scored three. This team was young and not many people anticipated them to be a contender for another year or two. But the Flash possessed a fight-for-every-result mentality no matter who counted them out. They rode that mentality through the back half of the season and a wild semifinal game over the Supporters’ Shield winners, Portland Thorns, en route to their first NWSL Championship title.
This Year
New name, new city, same team. Almost every instrumental player from the championship-winning Flash team made the voyage down to Cary, North Carolina, after the franchise was sold and relocated from Western New York. Now playing their matches in a soccer mad community, expect the locals to enjoy the team’s free-flowing style and never-say-die attitude. It won’t be surprising to see the Courage back in the mix for a title, especially with the addition of Rosana and Debinha in the midfield as well as Yuri Kawamura in defense. Combine the new additions with the team that came down from the Flash, and there aren’t many weak spots on this team
What to Watch For
Mentality. It will be interesting to see what type of mentality the Courage take to the field this year with a target on their backs as title holders. Teams have had an offseason to make adjustments — better prepared for the team’s overall speed, for example. In addition, will motivation or lack thereof be a factor? It will be curious to see the tactics Riley will use to keep his side hungry this season given the raised competition level.
Orlando Pride
2016 Regular Season Record: 6-13-1, 19 points, 9th place
Last Year
It was a tale of two halves for the expansion side last year. The Pride came in with the expectation of being a contender right out of the gate, and they impressed at the open of the season, both on and off of the field. The Pride did a great job of marketing their team to the community and the fans came out in full force for the opening match. But once the Olympics came around, the team struggled mightily. After four wins from their first six matches, the Pride managed to grab just seven more points from their remaining 14 matches and the lack of depth hurt Tom Sermanni’s side, especially when the international players left for the Olympics. There were bright spots to take away from the inaugural season, namely the play of Kristen Edmonds. The veteran midfielder was pushed into more of an attacking role last year and thrived, cracking the top 10 in the league in goals scored with six.
This Year
Sermanni wanted to add defensive depth to his team to avoid what happened last year — and did he. Ali Krieger, Alanna Kennedy, and Camila all joined the side and will be called upon immediately to shore up a defense that let in the second most amount of goals last year (30). The big splash was bringing five-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta back to play on U.S. soil. Last seen in the U.S. in 2011 by winning her second WPS title (FC Gold Pride, Western New York Flash), Marta remains one of the most dangerous and entertaining players in the women’s game and will no doubt bring something special to this team. With Alex Morgan unavailable until after her stint with Olympique Lyon is over, Marta will be asked to carry the goal-scoring load. Depth is an issue and the club has seemingly laid it all on the line to win the title this year; at this time, the team has zero picks in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
What to Watch For
Midfield. The defense has been shored up and on paper, looks to be one of the toughest in the league. But the lineup is defensive heavy and Sermanni has a real job on his hands to tinker and alter this lineup and formation to get the best out of unit light in midfielders. Will it be long ball city? Perhaps. With Marta and the return of Morgan, the Pride will pack a punch. The question is how they’ll get the ball up to them. In addition, the Pride have to avoid injury because they lack depth. With the midfield sorted, and staying healthy, the Pride will be a playoff contender.
Portland Thorns FC
2016 Regular Season Record: 12-3-5, 41 points, 1st place // Postseason: lost in semifinals to Western New York Flash in extra time
Last Year
Like FC Kansas City, the Houston Dash, and the Orlando Pride, the Thorns might have been excused for a lackluster 2016 season considering the number of players who missed time for the Rio 2016 Olympics. But under new Head Coach Mark Parsons, there would be no such talk of excuses. His team won the Supporters’ Shield and while more than a half-dozen starters missed matches due to the Rio 2016, the next wave of players stepped in and the Thorns skipped a beat. Parsons got the best out of every one of those players and they responded by putting in great shifts week after week. When it came time for the playoffs, though, it just wasn’t to be — again. Since the Thorns won the title in the first NWSL season, they’ve gone 0-2 in playoff games.
This Year
There weren’t too many pieces the Thorns needed to add after last year. They just need to have all of their players available for the full season. For the most part, that’s what they’ll get; only Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, Amandine Henry, and Nadia Nadim are expected to miss time for the Euro 2017. Given the number of absences the team has dealt with in the past two years, three isn’t bad at all. With all the power this team has up front with Nadim, Christine Sinclair, Tobin Heath, and Ashleigh Sykes, who will join the team this summer, along with Henry, Allie Long, and Lindsey Horan in the middle, not many teams can match that and can really only try to contain rather than battle against them. The Thorns, barring something catastrophic happening, should make it back to the playoffs this season.
What to Watch For
Goalkeeping. With Michelle Betos now plying her trade with Vålerenga in Norway, Adrianna Franch and Britt Eckerstrom will battle for the top spot between the pipes. Betos was the heart and soul of the Thorns defensively over the past few years and saw her game leap to new heights under the tutelage of Assistant Coach Nadine Angerer. Both Franch and Eckerstrom could dutifully fill the role as each have solid resumes and playing experience under their belts. If they can’t live up to the standard Betos set, the locals will have a cause for concern in the Rose City this season.
Seattle Reign FC
2016 Regular Season Record: 8-6-6, 30 points, 5th place
Last Year
It’s fair to say that 2016 was a disappointing campaign for the Seattle Reign. With back-to-back Supporters’ Shields and championship game appearances, the attacking and possession flair just wasn’t there for the Reign last season. The team came into the season with high expectations but never cracked the top four in the table. They had their share of bad bounces throughout the year but even with the mid-season return of Nahomi Kawasumi, who was a key piece of the Reign’s success in 2014, they never get over the hump. There were bright spots: Haley Kopmeyer in net, Manon Melis made her much-anticipated debut in the U.S. and bagged a team-leading seven goals, and Carson Pickett had a phenomenal rookie campaign and could be the next big thing at the outside back position in the league.
This Year
What do you do when you fail to reach your goals? Make the necessary changes so that doesn’t happen again. And Head Coach Laura Harvey went out into the market and made moves. First, she brought Christine Nairn back to shore up the midfield (those plans also included Nairn’s teammate from the Washington Spirit, Diana Matheson, but the Canadian international tore her ACL and won’t play for the Reign this year). Then she brought in Madalyn Schiffel to compete with Kopmeyer for the number one goalkeeping job and also added Australian international Larissa Crummer from the two-time W-League Champions Melbourne City. Finally, Harvey made the most of the NWSL Draft and signed Maddie Bauer out of Sanford and Katie Johnson from the NCAA Champions Southern California. There’s now more depth at every position and all 20 players on the roster have the ability to start, which makes the team deeper than before.
What to Watch For
Fishlock. Since 2013, Jessica Fishlock continues to excel with the Reign. She continues to be the team’s heartbeat in the midfield and makes those around her better. With Kim Little back in the United Kingdom with Arsenal Ladies, Fishlock will be called on more to play higher up the field as Nairn drops in underneath to facilitate. Fishlock isn’t a go-to scorer type but what she lacks in goal-scoring consistency she makes up for in giving maximum effort on every play. If Fishlock finds that consistency, the 100-plus capped Welsh international has a shout at league Most Valuable Player.
Sky Blue FC
2016 Regular Season Record: 7-8-5, 26 points, 7th place
Last Year
A lot of people had Sky Blue written in at the tenth spot prior to last season. Whether it was the lack of household stars on the roster, a new coach, or the constant downhill trend the team has taken since 2013, it seemed almost certain Sky Blue would finish last. But Head Coach Christy Holly turned the team around from cellar-dwellers to a playoff contender heading into the final weeks of the regular season. There was a real sense of unity on the field within the team and while the results didn’t go their way at the end of the season, there remained a lot to build on for the coming season.
This Year
Defense needed improvement and through the draft, Sky Blue gained a boost in their defensive unit after drafting Mandy Freeman and Kayla Mills in the first round from National Champions Southern California. They will slot in will alongside Erica Skroski and Christie Rampone. Kailen Sheridan, out of Clemson and a Canadian international, was a steal in the third round for Holly and could be the number one ahead of Caroline Casey. If the back five can hold it together and not leave too many gaps, it opens the game up for the team’s wing play, which is their strength. Leah Galton will benefit from a full preseason with this team after coming in halfway through the last year. Between Galton, Sam Kerr, and Kelley O’Hara out wide, this could be the fastest trio in the league.
What to Watch For
Daphne Corboz. Corboz was originally drafted by Sky Blue in 2015 but Corboz elected to sign with Manchester City Women ahead of their WSL campaign. It was a trying two years for Corboz as playing time became harder to find with a Manchester City team continuing to deepen its roster. Now back in New Jersey, it will be interesting how quickly she can shake off the rust from a lack of playing time. While at Georgetown, Corboz was one of the top midfielders in the college game. If she can find that form again playing alongside Sarah Killion and Raquel Rodríguez in the midfield, this young threesome could make Sky Blue FC playoff bound.
Washington Spirit
2016 Regular Season Record: 12-5-3, 39 points, 2nd place // Postseason: lost to Western New York Flash in championship game in penalties
Last Year
The Washington Spirit had a turbulent season as a whole, but the on-field play was nothing less than spectacular. Under new Head Coach Jim Gabarra, the Spirit held the top spot in the league for almost half of the season and played real eye-catching soccer, both on the offensive and defensive side of the game. Sure, there were a few key players that missed time due to the Olympics but players such Kelsey Wys, Caprice Dydasco, and Jo Lohman stepped up to the plate and delivered After an exhilarating extra-time semifinal victory over the Chicago Red Stars, the Spirit were seconds away from lifting the trophy for the first time before Western New York leveled the score in the 123 rd minute and the title on penalties. Unfortunately for the team, it was the off-field issues that cast a large shadow over their season, highlighted by a national anthem meltdown and player unrest that led to the team being gutted.
This Year
We don’t often talk about a team having to start a new season from scratch making a run for the title the year before. But here we are, in 2017, and the Spirit are without Ali Krieger, Crystal Dunn, Diana Matheson, Megan Oyster, Christine Nairn, and Estefania Banini. All six players were crucial to the team last year (Krieger and Matheson had been with the club since the inaugural 2013 season). With that core gone, several have Sharpied the Spirit in as a favorite to finish last this year. However, as he has in prior leagues, Jim Gabarra can find a way to get it done with the group he has. He drafted key pieces to the puzzle in Lindsay Agnew, Meggie Dougherty Howard, and Cameron Castleberry, traded for Kristie Mewis, Havana Solaun, Kassey Kallman and brought in Arielle Ship right after the draft as well. Many of those players possess great technical ability and mixing them in with the returning players, the possession-oriented label could still be alive and well for the team.
What to Watch For
While keeping the ball is all well and good, the question on the table is who is going to score goals for this team. The Spirit didn’t have a player ranked inside the top 10 in goals last year and a good majority of the six who left accounted for more than 50 percent of the goals for the team in the past two seasons. It comes down to Francisca Ordega, Cheyna Williams, and Katie Stengel to lead by example and hope that rookies like Agnew and Ship can adapt to the professional level and contribute. Still, if teams can deny service to the Spirit’s front line and contain the midfield, it will be a long season for the Spirit.