The Women's Game 03/13/24: NWSL Preview Pod Special
As the NWSL's new season approaches, expectations run high for an exciting year. This episode previews key developments, including the league's expanded television coverage with over 100 nationally broadcast games through the new ESPN/ABC deal. The addition of two expansion teams, Bay FC and Utah Royals, promises fresh talent and storylines.
The episode also examines significant offseason moves, notably Gotham FC's star-studded roster acquisitions like Rose Lavelle, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Sonnett. Other highlights include new ownership groups, recently retired USWNT players taking coaching roles, and insights on potential award winners and championship contenders.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 13, 2024 episode of the The Women's Game
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1-Page Summary
Overview of Upcoming NWSL Season
New ESPN/ABC TV Deal, 100+ Televised Games
The season kicks off with extensive coverage as the NWSL signs a deal with ESPN and ABC to broadcast over 100 games, according to analyst Sam Mewis. The opening Challenge Cup match between Gotham FC and San Diego Wave will air live on March 15th.
Expansion Teams: Bay FC and Utah Royals
The league expands to 14 teams with the addition of Bay FC and the Utah Royals. Bay FC bolstered their roster with top international talent like Nigerian striker Azizat Oshwala, while the Royals made Allie Sentnor their first draft pick.
Gotham FC Additions: Lavelle, Dunn, Sonnett
Gotham FC loaded up by signing USWNT stars Rose Lavelle, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, and Tierna Davidson to join existing players like Kelly O'Hara and Lynn Williams. Sam Mewis notes the importance of chemistry for this star-studded lineup.
New Ownership Groups
The Portland Thorns have new ownership under entrepreneur Lisa Bethal-Mirage's RAJ sports group, bringing fresh investment.
Retired Players Now Coaches
Recently retired USWNT legends are taking coaching roles, including Bev Yanez (Louisville), Carmelina Moscato (Louisville assistant), Amy Rodriguez (Utah), and Casey Stoney (San Diego).
Predictions
Roger Bennett predicts Gotham FC wins the NWSL Shield while Portland takes the championship. Sam Mewis sees potential in San Diego led by Alex Morgan and Casey Stoney. For awards, Bennett suggests Becky Sauerbrunn for Golden Boot and Jaden Shaw for MVP, while Mewis picks Sophia Smith for Golden Boot and Lynn Williams for MVP.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league in the United States. It was established in 2012 and features teams from various cities across the country. The league runs from March to November, with a playoff tournament determining the NWSL champion. Teams compete for the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team with the highest point total at the end of the regular season.
- The Challenge Cup in the context of the NWSL is a tournament that typically marks the beginning of the league's season. It involves a series of matches between teams before the regular season starts. The tournament serves as a competitive warm-up for teams and allows fans to get a preview of the upcoming season. The winner of the Challenge Cup does not necessarily determine the overall league champion.
- The USWNT (United States Women's National Team) is the national soccer team representing the United States in international women's soccer competitions. They are one of the most successful women's national teams globally, having won multiple FIFA Women's World Cup titles and Olympic gold medals. The team features top female soccer players from the United States and is known for its competitive spirit and achievements in women's soccer. The USWNT has been instrumental in promoting women's soccer and advocating for gender equality in sports.
- The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the team with the best regular season record in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It is determined by the points system where teams earn points for wins and draws. The team that finishes the regular season with the most points is awarded the NWSL Shield and earns the top seed in the playoffs.
- The Golden Boot is an award given to the player who scores the most goals in a particular league or tournament. It is a prestigious individual accolade that recognizes a player's scoring prowess and contribution to their team's success. Winning the Golden Boot often signifies exceptional skill and consistency in finding the back of the net throughout the season. It is a highly coveted honor in the world of soccer and is typically awarded at the end of the competition.
- An MVP (Most Valuable Player) award is given to an individual in a sports league or team whose performance stands out as the best among their peers. It recognizes the player's exceptional contribution and excellence within their team or league. The MVP can be awarded for outstanding performance in a specific match, a season, or a championship series. It highlights the player's impact and value in the context of the sport they are playing.
Counterarguments
- The TV deal with ESPN and ABC, while significant, may not guarantee increased viewership or revenue if the marketing and promotion of the games do not reach a wider audience.
- The success of expansion teams Bay FC and Utah Royals could be uncertain as new teams often face challenges in building team cohesion and a fan base.
- Signing star players does not always translate to on-field success; Gotham FC's emphasis on chemistry acknowledges this, but it remains to be seen if they can blend their talents effectively.
- New ownership, such as the Portland Thorns' RAJ sports group, can bring positive changes, but it can also lead to instability if the new owners lack experience in managing sports teams.
- Retired players transitioning to coaching roles bring valuable experience, but they may also face a steep learning curve in their new positions.
- Predictions about which team will win the NWSL Shield or championship are speculative and subject to many variables, including injuries, form, and unforeseen events.
- Award predictions for players like Becky Sauerbrunn and Jaden Shaw for Golden Boot and MVP are based on past performances and may not account for other players who could have breakout seasons.
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Overview of upcoming NWSL season
The NWSL is set to begin with a bang as another exciting season of women's professional soccer kicks off, starting with the Challenge Cup and leading into an action-packed year bolstered by new teams and star players.
New TV deal with ESPN and ABC broadcasting over 100 games
The NWSL season launches with a televised Challenge Cup encounter between Gotham FC and the San Diego Wave, marking the beginning of comprehensive coverage. The match is scheduled to air live from Red Bull Arena on Friday, March 15th at 8 p.m. Fans can tune into over a hundred games broadcast across ESPN, ABC, and NWSL Plus. Additional games will also be available on Prime Video, with league action continuing throughout the weekend. An advertising campaign on ESPN, using the slogan "It's so on," puts a spotlight on the league and emphasizes the athleticism, speed, and physicality of NWSL players.
Expansion teams Bay FC and Utah Royals
The league welcomes new expansion teams, Bay FC and the Utah Royals, bringing the total to 14 teams. With the expansion, the season now consists of 26 regular-season matches, up from 22 the previous year. Bay FC, as a Northern California newcomer, made a significant hiring push led by general manager Lucy Rushton to bolster their roster with top international talent, including Nigerian striker Azizat Oshwala from Barcelona, Scottish defender Jen Beattie from Arsenal, and Zambian international Rachel Kundunangi from Madrid CFF.
Conversely, the Utah Royals, reviving a legacy name in Beehive State soccer, made a major statement by selecting Allie Sentnor from the University of North Carolina with the first pick in January's NWSL draft.
Gotham FC loads up roster with star players
Gotham FC's roster exploded with talent during the offseason, as they brought in key US Women's National Team members Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, and Crystal Dunn. Alongside them are established players from Gotham such as Kelly O'Hara and Lynn Williams, and international stars like Spanish World Cup winner Esther. Analyst Sam Mewis noted the importance of chemistry among this star-studded lineup, as their cohesiveness is crucial for both NWSL success and the US women's national team.
NWSL under new ownership groups
The league's business side is also evolving, with new ownership groups stepping in. The Portland Thorns have been purchased by entrepreneur Lisa Bethal-Mirage's RAJ sports group, which brings fresh leadership and investment to one of the most storied clubs in the league.
Recently retired players become NWSL head coaches
A trend of recently r ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Overview of upcoming NWSL season
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league in the United States, established in 2012. It features teams from various cities across the country and operates a season from March to November. The league includes regular-season matches, playoffs, and special events like the Challenge Cup. The NWSL aims to promote women's soccer and provide a platform for top players to compete at a high level.
- The Challenge Cup is a knockout soccer competition that marks the beginning of the NWSL season, featuring exciting matches between teams. It serves as a prelude to the regular season and helps set the stage for the league's upcoming games and storylines. Teams compete for the cup in a series of matches, with the final typically garnering significant attention from fans and media. The Challenge Cup is a key event that generates excitement and anticipation for the NWSL season ahead.
- Expansion teams are new teams introduced into a sports league to increase the number of participating teams. They often come from cities that have not previously had representation in the league. Expansion teams typically pay a fee to join the league and participate in an expansion draft to build their initial roster. The addition of expansion teams can help grow the league's popularity and engage new markets.
- The NWSL Draft is an annual event where teams in the National Women's Soccer League select players to join their rosters. It is a way for teams to acquire new talent, typically including college players eligible to join the league. The draft is a structured process that helps distribute players fairly among the teams in the league. The draft has evolved over the years and is an important mechanism for team-building in the NWSL.
- The United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) is the national team representing the United States in international women's soccer competitions. They are one of the most successful women's national teams globally, having won multiple FIFA Women's World Cup titles and Olympic gold medals. The team features top players from the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and competes in various tournaments sanctioned by FIFA and other soccer governing bodies. The USWNT is known for its talented roster, competitive spirit, and advocacy for gen ...
Counterarguments
- The excitement around the televised Challenge Cup match may not translate into sustained viewership for the entire season.
- While the new TV deal with ESPN and ABC is promising, it may not guarantee increased exposure if the time slots for the games are not favorable or if they compete with other popular sports events.
- The addition of games on Prime Video could limit accessibility for fans who do not have a subscription to the service.
- The expansion to 14 teams could dilute the talent pool and potentially lower the overall quality of play in the league.
- The significant roster additions by Bay FC and the Utah Royals may not immediately translate into success on the pitch as team chemistry takes time to develop.
- Gotham FC's roster changes, while impressive on paper, could face challenges in terms of team dynamics and managing playing time among the stars.
- New ownership, such as RAJ sports group taking over the Portland Tho ...
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