The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is rapidly becoming a powerhouse in the world of professional sports. Featuring some of the best female footballers on the planet and showcasing a brand of exciting, attacking soccer, the NWSL is a must-watch for any fan of the beautiful game.
But with 12 teams spread across the United States, navigating the league's landscape can be a challenge for newcomers. Fear not, fellow football fans! This comprehensive guide will delve into each NWSL team, providing a snapshot of their history, playing style, and some of their star players. So, grab your jersey (or soon-to-be favorite team's jersey!), and let's get started!
Here are some of the most common FAQs about the NWSL teams:
- How many teams are in the NWSL? There are currently 12 teams in the NWSL.
- Where are the NWSL teams located? NWSL teams are spread across the United States, from the West Coast to the East Coast, with teams in major cities like Los Angeles, Portland, and Washington D.C.
- Who are some of the star players in the NWSL? The league boasts a wealth of talent, including USWNT stars like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Christen Press, alongside world-class internationals like Sam Kerr (Australia) and Debinha (Brazil).
Let's meet the amazing teams of the NWSL
1. Angel City FC (Los Angeles, California)
- Founded: 2020
- Nicknames: The City of Angels, ACFC
- Playing Style: Attacking, possession-based with a focus on creativity and goalscoring.
- Star Players: Christen Press (USA), Julie Ertz (USA), Jun Endo (Japan)
- Fun Fact: Angel City FC is the first majority-women owned and operated professional sports team in North America.
2. Chicago Red Stars (Chicago, Illinois)
- Founded: 2007
- Nicknames: The Red Stars
- Playing Style: Known for their strong defense and tactical discipline, while also possessing a dangerous attacking threat.
- Star Players: Alyssa Naeher (USA), Julie Bishop (USA), Mallory Pugh (USA)
- Fun Fact: The Chicago Red Stars are the only original NWSL team to have never folded or relocated.
3. Houston Dash (Houston, Texas)
- Founded: 2014
- Nicknames: The Dash
- Playing Style: A high-pressing, attacking style with an emphasis on winning the ball back quickly and transitioning into attack.
- Star Players: Rachel Daly (England), Lindsey Harris (USA), Jane Campbell (Canada)
- Fun Fact: The Houston Dash hold the record for the most goals scored in a single NWSL game (9-0 victory over the Kansas City Current in 2022).
4. Kansas City Current (Kansas City, Missouri)
- Founded: 2020 (as Utah Royals FC)
- Nicknames: The Current
- Playing Style: A team that is still developing its identity under new ownership, but one that shows promise in playing an attacking and possession-based style.
- Star Players: Sam Mewis (USA), Adriana (Brazil), Victoria Pickett (USA)
- Fun Fact: The Kansas City Current are the result of the relocation of the Utah Royals FC franchise.
5. NJ/NY Gotham FC (Harrison, New Jersey)
- Founded: 2007 (as Sky Blue FC)
- Nicknames: Gotham FC
- Playing Style: A possession-based style with an emphasis on technical passing and movement.
- Star Players: Carli Lloyd (USA), Imani Dorsey (USA), Paige Monaghan (Australia)
- Fun Fact: NJ/NY Gotham FC is the only NWSL team to have won.
6. North Carolina Courage (Cary, North Carolina)
- Founded: 2017
- Nicknames: The Courage
- Playing Style: Known for their dominant possession play and ability to control the tempo of the game.
- Star Players: Debinha (Brazil), Lynn Williams (USA), Denise O'Sullivan (Ireland)
- Fun Fact: The North Carolina Courage have won the NWSL Shield (awarded to the team with the best regular-season record) a record three times (2018, 2019, 2021).
7. Orlando Pride (Orlando, Florida)
- Founded: 2015
- Nicknames: The Pride
- Playing Style: A team that utilizes a blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity.
- Star Players: Marta (Brazil), Alex Morgan (USA), Darian Wright (USA)
- Fun Fact: The Orlando Pride stadium, Exploria Stadium, is also home to Major League Soccer side Orlando City SC.
8. Portland Thorns FC (Portland, Oregon)
- Founded: 2013
- Nicknames: The Thorns
- Playing Style: An exciting, attacking brand of soccer with a passionate and vocal fanbase.
- Star Players: Christine Sinclair (Canada), Becky Sauerbrunn (USA), Crystal Dunn (USA)
- Fun Fact: The Portland Thorns hold the record for the highest average attendance in NWSL history.
9. Racing Louisville FC (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Founded: 2020
- Nicknames: Racing Louisville
- Playing Style: A team in its early stages of development, but one that prioritizes a possession-based approach with an emphasis on creativity.
- Star Players: Debinha (Brazil) (on loan to North Carolina Courage in 2024), Nadia Nadim (Denmark), Erin Simon (USA)
- Fun Fact: Racing Louisville FC is the first professional women's soccer team to play in Louisville, Kentucky.
10. San Diego Wave FC (San Diego, California)
- Founded: 2021
- Nicknames: The Wave
- Playing Style: An attractive, possession-based style with a focus on quick passing and attacking movement.
- Star Players: Alex Morgan (USA) (on loan to Orlando Pride in 2024), Taylor Purcell (USA), Malia Pugh (USA)
- Fun Fact: San Diego Wave FC boasts one of the newest and most technologically advanced stadiums in the NWSL, Snapdragon Stadium.
11. Seattle Reign FC (Seattle, Washington)
- Founded: 2012
- Nicknames: The Reign
- Playing Style: A team known for its strong work ethic, defensive organization, and ability to counter-attack effectively.
- Star Players: Sam Kerr (Australia), Megan Rapinoe (USA), Jess Fishlock (Wales)
- Fun Fact: The Seattle Reign FC share their stadium, Lumen Field, with the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL.
12. Washington Spirit (Washington D.C.)
- Founded: 2012
- Nicknames: The Spirit
- Playing Style: A team that utilizes a blend of tactical flexibility and attacking flair, adapting their approach based on their opponent.
- Star Players: Trinity Rodman (USA), Ashley Hatch (USA), Kelley O'Hara (USA)
- Fun Fact: The Washington Spirit are the only NWSL team to have been majority-owned by women since their inception.
There You Have It
This comprehensive guide has hopefully provided you with a deeper understanding of the 12 fantastic teams that make up the NWSL. Each team offers its own unique playing style, star players, and passionate fanbase.
