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Every year I trust my heart over my head for my March Madness brackets. Thankfully, Maryland and Coach Frese have only let me down a handful of times. Fear the Turtle!
Ok, now on to NWSL — welcome to Full Time!
MVP race already down to 2?
Three things to take away from the first weekend of the 2025 NWSL season are: Youth is not wasted in this league, mental health is important and don’t doubt Barbra Banda or Temwa Chawinga. They’re inevitable.
Parity is something NWSL has prided itself on. However, as the league grows — expanding to 16 teams next year — an elite group has emerged. Meg will dive deep into this later, but reigning champion Orlando Pride is apparently not taking its foot off the gas after last year’s trophy double, opening the season with a record-tying 6-0 win over Chicago Stars FC. Banda scored twice and recorded an assist in the win. Chawinga, who beat Banda for top individual honors last season, scored on her first shot of the season in Kansas City Current’s 3-1 win over the Portland Thorns.
Despite the skill on display from the leaders, Bay FC’s Kiki Pickett was not to be outdone. She secured our goal…
