The 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season kicks off Friday, and the big on-field question is an unfamiliar one: Is there a big four pulling away from the rest of the pack?
That was abundantly clear last season, and the top squads from 2024 have all bolstered their sides with strong additions in the offseason. Several teams look like they are improved, however, and they will hope to restore the NWSL’s much-lauded parity in 2025.
Did the North Carolina Courage, who finished a distant fifth, make arguably the biggest intraleague acquisition of the offseason by landing U.S. star Jaedyn Shaw? Is Angel City ready to compete? What exactly is happening in San Diego? And what should we make of the Houston Dash and Utah Royals?
– Stream LIVE: Kansas City Current vs. Portland Thorns, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Here’s a look at what to expect from each of the teams this season with ESPN’s Cesar Hernandez, Ryan Rosenblatt, Megan Swanick and Joseph Lowery contributing. The intro is by Jeff Kassouf.
2024 regular-season record: 12th place, 7-6-13, 24 points
Biggest offseason moves: Plenty of changes for a team that has brought in Mark Parsons as sporting director, moved on from coach Becki Tweed and signed some eye-catching names such as Julie Dufour, Miyabi…
