NWSL season preview: Players to watch, outlooks and more for every team
The new National Women's Soccer League season has finally arrived, and in a Women's World Cup year, it will be a great way to scope out some of the world's best players before they head to France.
All the NWSL action will be live-streamed on Yahoo Sports, and here's your primer for what to watch for this season, team by team.
North Carolina Courage
How last season went
Not only did the Courage finish 2018 as the champions of the NWSL, they looked like arguably the best women's club soccer team the U.S. has ever seen. The Courage lost just once all last year, and that includes the International Champions Cup, which the Courage also won, edging out powerhouse Olympique Lyon.
Key offseason moves
If there's any reason to believe the Courage can repeat this year, it's because that same roster is almost entirely intact. The team has kept its starting core, including its central midfield, which is the engine of everything it does. On paper, they've upgraded their goalkeeper, signing Canada's current No. 1, Stephanie Labbe.
Players to watch
Lynn Williams has scored more goals in the NWSL than any other American in the past two seasons. And yet, despite her stellar performances, she can't break into the U.S. women's national team and will be watching the World Cup from home. When Crystal Dunn was in a similar position in 2015, she responded by tearing the NWSL up. Can Williams do the same?
Meanwhile, Denise O’Sullivan of Ireland is going is being counted on to step up this season, particularly when midfielders Samantha Mewis and McCall Zerboni are gone for the World Cup. The Courage's success may hinge on how well O’Sullivan adapts to a bigger leadership role.
Outlook
If there's a reason to worry about the Courage, it's the fact that they will be as hard-hit as anyone during the World Cup. Not just Mewis and Zerboni will be in France, but also fellow USWNTers Dunn and Abby Dahlkemper, as well as Labbe, Brazil's Debinha, New Zealand's Abby Erceg, and perhaps even Jessica McDonald.
That will eliminate the starters along the spine of the central midfield and the defense, and depth will have to carry the reigning champions for a stretch of the season.
But coach Paul Riley has proven he knows how to make all the pieces fit together. They should easily make the playoffs and contend for a title again.
Portland Thorns
How last season went
Battered by injuries, the Thorns had a slow start to 2018 but did what they also do under Mark Parsons: eventually find their groove and make it to the championship, though they fell short against Carolina. The Thorns didn't look as dominant as they have in previous seasons, but the perennial powerhouse they’ve built is a testament to what's possible when good players buy in to a coaching staff's approach.
Key offseason moves
It's been a relatively quiet offseason in Portland. Though sources have told Yahoo Sports that the Thorns hope to acquire a big-name international at the No. 6 spot, that player isn't expected to arrive until after the World Cup. The Thorns have welcomed back Icelandic star Dagny Brynjarsdottir, who took 2018 off to have a child, and they will see some draft picks make an impact for the first time, like Gabby Seiler. Like Seiler, right back Katherine Reynolds also returns from injury.
Players to watch
Portland hasn't seen the best of Caitlin Foord yet, and it looks like she could be on the brink of a breakthrough season. She will be in France helping Australia attempt to reach their first major final, but she'll have plenty of time to make an impact in Portland.
Ana Crnogorcevic, a Swiss international, should prove vital during the World Cup when the Thorns are likely to lose nine starters – more than any other team in the NWSL. Crnogorcevic can play up top or as a defender, and she will be key to filling in holes.
Outlook
It would be silly to pretend a team won’t be hurt by losing nine starters. It would be even sillier when those starters are the likes of Lindsey Horan, Tobin Heath, Adrianna Franch and Christine Sinclair. But the Thorns have never had trouble playing catch-up under Parsons. The Rose City faithful might be worried for a stretch, but the Thorns are fully capable of reaching a third straight final.
Reign FC
How last season went
Back when they were still known as the Seattle Reign, Vlatko Andonovski took over as coach and led the team back to the postseason after two disappointing campaigns. The Reign were knocked out of the playoffs by rival Portland, but injuries were partly to blame and the Reign played convincing soccer.
Key offseason moves
The Reign traded away Nahomi Kawasumi, known as “Naho” to fans, to Sky Blue in exchange for Shea Groom. She may play a starting role, but Groom has experience filling in while national team players are away, which is a role she played expertly in her days at FC Kansas City during the last cycle.
Darian Jenkins, a forward, was also acquired from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for draft picks, and she figures to play a key role while World Cup players are gone.
Oh, and the team moved from Seattle to Tacoma in the offseason, where the club is now partnered with the Tacoma Defiance in the USL.
Players to watch
It might be too easy to say Megan Rapinoe, but whenever there's a chance to watch her, you take it. Rapinoe has been in excellent form for the USWNT and if she can carry that over to the Reign, she might help them stockpile enough points to mitigate the World Cup absences.
Otherwise, keep an eye on Jenkins. The U-23 forward offers speed and power up top that the Reign will take advantage of.
Outlook
There are questions that linger: Could Allie Long make a late run to the USWNT's World Cup roster? If so, how much would that hurt the Reign's midfield beyond what they expect? The Reign should be a playoff team again and contend for the title, but it might depend on how the World Cup stretch goes.
Chicago Red Stars
How last season went
Chicago finished fourth in the standings and was knocked out of the playoffs by a superior North Carolina team. The Red Stars have plenty of talent on their roster, but lacked the consistency of some of their opponents.
Key offseason moves
With the No. 1 overall pick in the college draft, the Red Stars acquired USWNT defender Tierna Davidson, who left Stanford a year early to go pro, ostensibly to solidify her spot on the World Cup roster.
Chicago also acquired Mexican forward Katie Johnson from Sky Blue in exchange for draft picks.
Players to watch
Watching Davidson with the USWNT, it's easy to forget that she hasn't played professionally yet. How the 20-year-old adapts to the top flight and the week-in, week-out demands will be interesting, particularly as she is in the hunt for minutes at the World Cup, but probably sits behind Abby Dahlkemper and Becky Sauerbrunn on the depth chart.
Samantha Kerr will be in France for a spell, probably scoring worldies (we can all hope), but Kerr has been the best striker in the league and maybe on the planet over the last few years. She should've been named FIFA's women's player of the year by now, but maybe 2019 will be her year.
Outlook
Overall, the Chicago roster has gotten better, which is saying something when players like Kerr and Julie Ertz are already there. The Red Stars have been a consistent playoff contender but have never made it to the final. Could 2019 be their year? It's not out of the realm of possibility.
Utah Royals
How last season went
In their inaugural season, the sister club of Real Salt Lake was always going to have a difficult time, even if much of the roster had been transplanted from now-defunct FC Kansas City. There were growing pains in getting the attack to click, even with players like Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez leading the way. Ultimately, they narrowly missed playoffs last year, which was a better finish than some may have predicted.
Key offseason moves
Vero Boquete, the Spanish international, was a creative force when she last played in the NWSL five years ago. The question is whether at 32, in the altitude of Salt Lake City, she will have the same impact in the center of the field she had. The Royals need more service in the attack, and Boquete, who the club signed in January, is worth betting on.
Players to watch
Boquete is the obvious choice as she could be the key to unlocking more goals from Press and Rodriguez.
But it's worth keeping an eye on fullback Kelley O'Hara and her form, particularly for USWNT fans. If O'Hara can't play a big role for the USWNT in France, that would be a big concern – she's easily the best right back option the USWNT has, and the Royals could use her hybrid of attacking and defending abilities as well.
Outlook
The Royals weren't all that far from knocking off one of last season's playoff teams, and they should be better this year. Laura Harvey is a shrewd manager who, with another year under her belt, can turn the Royals into a force to be reckoned with.
Houston Dash
How last season went
Vera Pauw came on as a new head coach, and it took her a while to start figuring out how to use the players at her disposal. She eventually hit on a formula that mostly worked, but it was clear the roster construction needed some work. The Dash missed the playoffs and, when the season ended, Pauw opted not to even try to renew her contract.
Key offseason moves
The club brought in a new coach, James Clarkson, who had previously spent a decade at the Houston Dynamo Academy in various roles. The NWSL will be a different challenge for Clarkson, and it remains to be see how his coaching style will fit in the league.
Canadian midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who spent the last three years in Germany, joined the Dash last month through discovery, and she could be important in fortifying the team's spine.
Players to watch
Kealia Ohai tore her ACL in 2017 and was still recovering through part of the 2018 season. Now, she's heading into the season fully healthy and motivated to tear the league up. She's firmly outside the USWNT picture, but her call-ups in 2017 ought to fuel hopes that she can return to coach Jill Ellis's radar one day, perhaps in time for the 2020 Olympics.
Meanwhile, how Schmidt fits in with the Dash could play a crucial role in shoring up some of their troubles.
Outlook
On paper, the roster appears to have improved, but the addition of a coach who has never coached at this level is a lingering question mark. If it doesn't work out, the Dash may have to wait another year to reach their first postseason.
Orlando Pride
How last season went
The Pride should've been able to finish much better than they did. They only managed to have good performances against the league's worst teams, and a six-game winless skid to close out the season sealed the fate of coach Tom Sermanni, who was fired.
Key offseason moves
The club hired a new head coach, Marc Skinner, whose coaching career has consisted of stints at Birmingham City. His record in the Women's Super League is mixed, but he has helped Birmingham City punch above their weight.
The club lost a couple Brazilian defenders, Monica and Poliana, while forward Sydney Leroux is expected to miss the season due to pregnancy.
In terms of marquee acquisitions that can make a big splash, there haven’t been any.
Players to watch
It might be too obvious to say Marta or Alex Morgan, but let's say it anyway.
Marta is 33 years old and, at some point, there will be a drop-off in her game. But as long as she can still do Marta-esque things, she can play provider, score goals and wreak havoc on defenses. And as long as she's doing that, Morgan should be in the position to benefit.
Outlook
The lingering question is whether the Pride have done enough in the offseason to solidify the roster. It seems Orlando City is hoping a coaching change will be enough, but we know from watching their MLS side that it is rarely how things turn out.
Ali Krieger, who up until a month ago looked like a lock to stick around this summer, may end up making the USWNT's World Cup squad. Given that the club was probably anticipating Krieger would be around, it'll be interesting to see how they manage her absence if she does get the call.
Washington Spirit
How last season went
There's no nice way to put it: The Spirit were terrible last year. They won twice all year and set a new NWSL record for fewest goals scored in a season, which is quite the feat considering they have the likes of Mallory Pugh and Rose Lavelle on their roster, even if they dealt with injuries.
Key offseason moves
Jim Gabarra has been replaced as head coach by Richie Burke, who already seems like a questionable hire based not just on his lack of top-flight experience but allegations that he verbally abused his youth players.
But there's plenty of roster turnover, too. Twelve players are out, including Estefanía Banini, Havana Solaun, Rebecca Quinn, Francisca Ordega and Caprice Dydasco, who all played roles for the Spirit in the past.
Replacing those players are draft picks – the Spirit signed all of their selections from the college draft – as well as some journeywomen NWSL players.
There's no marquee addition in the bunch, but the Spirit will certainly have a different look.
Players to watch
There's no question that if the Spirit are going to fare better, they have to get more out of Pugh and Lavelle. They’re two of the most exciting young prospects in the USWNT player pool, but it has lately looked like Washington could be stunting their evolution as players. Here's hoping for a better 2019 for the pair.
Outlook
The Spirit will probably still be bad. Maybe even really bad. But hey, with the amount of changes they've made, just about anything is possible.
Sky Blue FC
How last season went
In lieu of just putting a garbage can emoji here, the best way to sum up their 2018 is: absolutely horrid. They won a single game all year and went down in history as the worst-ever team in the league.
The terrible on-field performances were only mirrored by the turmoil off the field, with subpar conditions at the training grounds and with player housing, which have been well-documented.
All around: Bad. Really bad.
Key offseason moves
Denise Reddy will stay on as coach, but the club has had trouble fortifying its roster.
Sources have told Yahoo Sports that it was widely known at the NWSL college draft that top prospects Hailie Mace and Julia Ashley refused to play at Sky Blue. But Sky Blue used their first-round draft picks to select them anyway, and both players opted to sign with clubs in Sweden.
The club added some key additions in defense, like Caprice Dydasco and Estelle Johnson, which should help given how terrible Sky Blue's defense was last year.
Tony Novo, the club president who had been charged with fixing the off-field issues, resigned on Wednesday. Former Chicago Red Stars GM Alyse LaHue will take over.
Players to watch
Carli Lloyd has managed to avoid the blame for Sky Blue's problems last year, but now that she seems inked in as a substitute, not a starter, for the USWNT in France, she may play with a chip on her shoulder in New Jersey. When Lloyd feels she has something to prove, watch out.
Otherwise, it's worth seeing if Savannah McCaskill can make the leap and have a breakout year after falling off the USWNT radar.
Outlook
There's no reason to think they won't be bad again this year. Worst-in-league-history bad? Probably not. But there's so much ground for them to make up, and the top teams in the league have all improved.
Caitlin Murray is a contributor to Yahoo Sports and her book about the U.S. women’s national team, The National Team: The Inside Story of the Women Who Changed Soccer, is out now. Follow her on Twitter @caitlinmurr.
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