The fourth season of the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) kicks off this weekend.
The fourth season of the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) kicks off this weekend.
It is the longest any USA women's professional league has lasted and there will be plenty of Australian / W-League players to follow. With all the matches streamed live on YouTube, the matches will be easily accessible for Australian women’s football supporters and it's a great chance to keep an eye on how the Matildas players are tracking ahead of Rio 2016.
Here is our quick guide to the NWSL.
Boston Breakers
Coach: Matt Beard
2015 Record (W-D-L): 4-3-13. Finished 9th and missed out on a finals spot for the third straight season.
Overview and Notable Players: The NWSL era has not been kind to the Boston Breakers with the east coast side struggling to rise above the bottom half of the team.
The Breakers never really got going in 2015 and spent the last third of the season rooted to the bottom of the table.
Title winning Liverpool FC Matt Beard has been tasked with the Breakers revival. Defensively the Englishman has given faith in his Liverpool goalkeeper Libby Stout and will be looking to the custodian and USWNT defender Whitney Engen and to anchor the back four.
The midfield has several seasoned performers from other NWSL teams including McCall Zerboni (Portland), Angela Salem (Washington) and Sinead Farrelly (Portland) while Swede Louise Schillgard will be looked at to be the creative force. USWNT squad member Stephanie McCaffrey and Matilda Simon are the names Beard will be hoping will fire in 2016 if the Breakers are to turn things around.
Pre-season hasn't seen promising results but there is always hope before the first whistle is blown.
Australian notes: Off the back of a stellar 12 months, Matildas striker Kyah Simon heads back for a third season with the Breakers and is set to be one of the Breakers key attacking threats.
W-League notes/ alumni:
- Attacking midfielder Kristie Mewis lined up as guest player for Canberra United towards the end of the 2012/13 season.
- Defensive midfielder Angela Salem has played two seasons with the Newcastle Jets
- Louse Schillgard (nee Fors) spent a season with the Western Sydney Wanderers in their inaugural season.
- Defender Brooke Elby lined up for just the one match with the Melbourne Victory in Season 8
Media:
Website: http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/
Chicago Red Stars
Coach: Rory Dames
2015 Record (W-D-L): 8-9-3. Finished 2nd and made the finals for the first time. Defeated by FC Kansas City in the semi finals.
Overview and Notable Players: For most of the season, it looked like the Chicago Red Stars would wrest the NWSL Shield from the hands off the Reign but late season inconsistency cost Dames' side.
With USWNT duo Julie Johnston and Alyssia Naeher, the Red Stars should once again be relatively solid defensively. Up front Chicago will be looking to the Christen Press and Sofia Huerta pairing to once again carry to the goalscoring and finishing the work of Vanessa DiBernardo and Jen Hoy. They might not possess the flash of other teams but Chicago are a solid and at times physical unit who other teams will find hard to breakdown.
Australian notes: No current players
W-League notes/ alumni:
- Midfielder Vanessa Di Bernardo made an immediate impact for Perth Glory in Season 8. On debut DiBernardo scored one of the goals of the season and finished 4th top goalscorer with 6 goals
- Defender Samantha Johnson spent the 2014 season with Sydney FC appearing in 13 matches for the Sky Blues
Media:
Website: http://www.chicagoredstars.net/
Houston Dash
Coach: Randy Waldrum
2015 Record (W-D-L): 6-6-8. Finished 5th and missed out on the finals for the second straight season.
Overview and Notable Players: Like several other teams, the Dash will rue a run of losses that eventually cost them a place in their first ever finals series.
This season the Dash look one of the more balanced teams in the NWSL and possess weapons across the park. There are plenty of good names from USWNT captain and current World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd, USWNT midfielder Morgan Brian, Canada WNT starters Janine Beckie and Allysha Chapman, Brazilian Andressa, Australian duo Brush and Williams and the names go on.
Key for Houston will be the link up work between the lines. Houston certainly have the personnel to play possession football as well as to be a counter attacking team.
Australian notes: Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams returns to the NWSL with the Canberra United custodian set to become the Dash's No. 1. Williams joins Canberra teammate and central defender Ellie Brush who returns to Houston after a stellar first season, which saw Brush named the Dash's 2015 Defender of the Year.
https://twitter.com/HoustonDash/status/717758476114534400
W-League notes/ alumni:
- The Canberra influence continues with the Dash through Stephanie Ochs. The United championship player returns to the NWSL after a season ending ACL injury in 2015.
Media:
Website: http://www.houstondynamo.com/houstondash
FC Kansas City
Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
2015 Record (W-D-L): 9-5-6. Finished 3rd. Claimed back-to-back NWSL Championships by defeating the Chicago Reds Stars (semi final) and Seattle Reign (final).
Overview and Notable Players: With two losses in the first two matches, FC Kansas City's championship defence didn't get off to the best start. However the Blues have proven themselves adept at peaking when it counts and once again they out a way to stifle the more fancied Seattle Reign in the decider.
The two time defending champions are another team that have been hit hard in the off-season. Andonovski has a real challenge on his hands to reshape a team that has lost their key combination and architects of their two titles; Lauren Holiday and Amy Rodriguez.
Kiwi Katie Bowen, forwards Frances Silva and Shea Groom will have the burden of carrying the scoring load with midfielders Heather O'Reilly and Erika Tymrak will also have a lot of expectation. Replacing the goals and creativity of the the duo will have a big say in Kansas City's prospects in 2016.
One blessing for Andonovski is that the defensive third has remained relatively unscathed with goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, USWNT co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn and defensive midfielder Jen Buczkowski providing plenty of stability and experience where it matters most.
Australian notes: No current players
W-League notes/ alumni: Nil
Media:
Website: http://fckansascity.com/
Orlando Pride
Coach: Tom Sermanni
2015 Record (W-D-L): Debut season
Overview and Notable Players: If there is one thing the new team Orlando Pride has in spades its big names.
From their first signing, Alex Morgan, the new expansion team has made their finals aspirations clear. Morgan is joined by USWNT teammate Ashlyn Harris, Canadian WNT members Josee Belanger and Kaylyn Kyle, Brazilian Monica, English forward Lianne Sanderson and of course the Australians.
The key to the Pride will be how coach Tom Sermanni puts all the pieces together. As well as the notable names, the Pride have a host of role players from other NWSL teams and managing the balance of star power and the most effective structure will be a big factor in their success first up.
Australian notes: Pride have picked up two key pieces of the Matildas defence with left back Stephanie Catley traded to Sermanni's team after two seasons with the Portland Thorns. Catley is joined by Melbourne City and Matildas teammate Laura Alleway who is set to make her NWSL debut after previously playing in the English FA WSL.
W-League notes/ alumni:
- Sydney FC lead striker Jasymne Spencer has spent the last two NWSL off-seasons in the W-League making 27 appearances and scoring 12 goals. Spencer finds herself in Orlando after being selected in the expansion draft.
- Defender Camille Levin played 4 games for the Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2013-14 season
Media:
Website: http://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride
Portland Thorns
Coach: Mark Parsons
2015 Record (W-D-L): 6-5-9. Finished 6th and missed the finals for the first time.
Overview and Notable Players: Not to be outdone on the big names are the Portland Thorns.
The NWSL's glamour team, the names that will be display at Providence Park has many tipping Parson's side as favourites for Championship honours.
While 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Bronze Ball winner Amandine Henry is the headline signing, the Thorns have a host of new names in the Rose City including USWNT players Lindsey Horan, Meghan Klingenberg and Emily Sonnett, Danish forward Nadia Nadim and Icelandic midfielder Dagný Brynjarsdóttir. Then of course there is Tobin Heath and Canadian captain Christine Sinclair.
2015 saw the Thorns struggle across the park but particularly defensively, although up front was not much better. Both areas have been addressed but it is the front third that will one to watch with the amount of talent on display.
Australian notes: In a late roster move, the Thorns signed forward Hayley Raso. Raso is familiar to Thorns coach Parsons having worked with the Queenslander last season at the Washington Spirit. Raso will be hoping some game time will see her in contention for the Matildas Rio squad.
https://twitter.com/HayleyRaso/status/721093283309494272
W-League Alumni:
- Starting in 13 of 14 matches, goalkeeper Michelle Betos assisted Sydney FC in their late run to the W-League Grand Final, only to see them fall to the dominant Melbourne City.
- For the second straight season full back Kendall Johnson headed to the Western Sydney Wanderers only to be again plagued by injury.
Media:
Website: http://www.portlandthornsfc.com/
Seattle Reign
Coach: Laura Harvey
2015 Record (W-D-L): 13-4-3. Finished first and becoming the first team to claim back to back Premiers' Plate.
Overview and Notable Players: Where to start with the Reign? Despite being dominant in the regular season in the past two years, Laura Harvey's side has fallen just short on both trips to the Championship match.
The Reign are the most balanced and settled side in the NWSL with strength and depth all across the park as evidenced by the best attacking and defensive record in 2015.
Seattle's big names are now household names; Little, Fishlock, Solo, Barnes, Yanez etc. Few teams have been able to handle Seattle's possession based, high press game and whether Harvey keeps to the same formula or evolves the team will be one of the things to watch.
Harvey will also be hoping the inclusion of former Dutch forward Manon Melis can make up for the absence of the injured Megan Rapinoe and provide that X factor as they chase the missing trophy in their cabinet.
Australian notes: No current players
W-League Alumni:
- Melbourne keeps calling to Jess Fishlock. The midfielder has made 27 W-League appearances with 2 championships to show for it. Named as co-captain, Fishlock was once again influential in City's unbeaten run to the W-League double
- Also vital to Melbourne City was Kim Little. The attacking midfielder finished her first, and only, season with 8 goals, including a stunning free kick in the Grand Final. Little was considered one of the players of the season.
- Reign captain Keelin Winters played a second season for the Western Sydney Wanderers. Stepping in as captain in the absence of Caitlin Cooper, the midfielder was key to the young Wanderers in 11 appearances.
- With 65 W-League appearances, the versatile Kendall Fletcher is the highest capped international in W-League history. Fletcher was again a midfield anchor as Canberra United finished second, missing out on the Grand Final in controversial fashion.
- Goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer's first season in the W-League saw the 2015 year old assist Brisbane Roar back to the finals. Kopmeyer was stellar in a memorable semi final loss to the eventual champions Melbourne City
- Defender Lauren Barnes has spent two season in the W-League with the centreback helping the Victory to the 2014 W-League Championship, scoring a memorable goal in the Grand Final. Barnes has made 15 appearance with 4 goals.
- Defender Elli Reed made 11 appearances for Melbourne Victory in 2014 as they lost out to eventual champions Canberra United in a penalty shootout.
Media:
Website: http://www.seattlereignfc.com/
Sky Blue FC
Coach: Christy Holly
2015 Record (W-D-L): 5-7-8. Finished 8th and missed the finals for the second straight season.
Overview and Notable Players: Despite a promising first up win, the season never really go going for Sky Blue FC with the Jersey side spending large chunks of the season at the foot of the table.
The off-season hasn't brought better news with goalkeeper Brittany Cameron, Katy Freels, Lindsi Cutshall, Nadia Nadim and Caitlin Foord all departing the club.
With those losses, it will be a big ask for first time coach Christy Holly to put together a side that can once again challenge for the finals. Key to Holly's plans will be former USWNT captain Christie Rampone, although Rampone has struggled with injury of late.
Sky Blue fans will hoping Hermann Trophy winner Racquel Rodriguez can hit the ground running and pair up well with Sam Kerr and Maya Hayes up front.
The other line of interest will be how Holly deploys USWNT player Kelley O'Hara with the versatile O'Hara utilised both up front and down back in recent seasons.
Australian notes: Leading Sky Blue FC with 8 goals in 2015, forward Sam Kerr heads back to New Jersey for a second season. With the Rio 2016 Olympics around the corner, Kerr looking to gain fitness and form after a ruptured foot ligament ended her 2015/16 W-League season early and saw her miss out on the Olympic Qualifiers.
https://twitter.com/samkerr1/status/716991863924719616
W-League Alumni:
- Pulling the strings for Adelaide United, Sarah Killion went close to leading the Reds to their first ever finals series
- Midfielder Nikki Stanton made her first trip to Australia lining up for Perth Glory
- The 2013/14 W-League season saw midfielder Shawna Gordon line up for the Western Sydney Wanderers in 10 matches with 1 goal
Media:
Website: http://skybluefc.com/
Washington Spirit
Coach: Jim Gabarra
2015 Record (W-D-L): 8-6-6, Finished 4th and made the finals for the second straight season. Defeated by Seattle Reign in the semi finals.
Overview and Notable Players: Led by NWSL MVP Crystal Dunn, the Spirit were one of the more consistent sides in 2015, only stumbling late in the season.
Another even team, the Spirit have pace across the park as well as strong ball players in the midfield. New coach Jim Gabarra has received a boost with the addition of Canadian pair Stephanie Labbe and Shelina Zadorsky and forward Katie Stengel.
Defensively, the Spirit are well set with Ali Krieger, Labbe and any combination of Megan Oyster, Estelle Johnson and Zadorsky providing solid platform. With Dunn, Diana Matheson, Christine Nairn and Francisca Ordega, the Spirit forward line looks as threatening as any in the league.
Australian notes: No current players
W-League Alumni:
- It was a vastly different second W-League season for Christine Nairn with the central midfielder roped into a leadership role with a young and inexperienced Melbourne Victory outfit
- An anchor of the defence, Megan Oyster had a stellar first up season in the W-League with the central defender starting all matches as the Newcastle Jets went within a whisker of the finals
- Working in partnership with Chloe Logarzo, midfielder Caprice Dydasco was key in the Jets engine room
- In three different stints, Tori Huster has made 28 appearances in the W-League (scoring 7 goals) for the Newcastle Jets and the Western Sydney Wanderers
- Centre back Shelina Zadorsky was a key part of the Perth Glory defence in their 2014 premiership season. The Canadian started all matches as Glory posted their best defensive record in their history
- Defender Estelle Johnson has spent one season in the W-League helping Sydney FC to the finals in 2011/12
Media:
Website: http://washingtonspirit.com/
WNY Flash
Coach: Paul Riley
2015 Record (W-D-L): 6-5-9. Finished 7th and missed the finals for the second straight season
Overview and Notable Players: Three losses in their opening four games put the Flash on the back foot and the Rochester side never really recovered.
Paul Riley jumps seaboards to take on the Flash with a team that is relatively inexperienced in comparison to the rest of the league.
Riley has worked well in the past to make teams greater than their sum and in Australian Alanna Kennedy, USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis and forward Jessica McDonald, Riley has a reasonable spine to build around. Through Korean Jeon Ga Eul and Colombian Lady Andrade, who adds some X factor, uut wide is where the Flash could find some joy.
For a team with so much history, there is so much unknown about how this Flash team will combine and that may be tricky for opposition teams.
Australian notes: Although she has over 40 Matildas appearances and close to 60 W-League appearances, Alanna Kennedy is set to make her first professional appearance overseas. One of the best young defenders in the world, the Flash will be hoping Kennedy will be the key to their defence as they aim to return back to the finals
A photo posted by alannakennedy (@alannakennedy) on
W-League Alumni:
- 22 year old Abby Dahlkemper lined up for Adelaide United in her first W-League season. Dahlkemper's late season move into the midfield helped the Reds come close to their first ever finals appearance and post their best ever W-League points total
- Netting 7 goals, Jessica McDonald was a key part of the Melbourne Victory's first run to the W-League grand final in 2012.
- Appointed captain in 2012, New Zealand captain Abby Erceg lined up for Adelaide United for two seasons making 22 appearances between 2011 and 2013
Media:
Website: http://www.wnyflash.com/Twitter: http://twitter.com/wnyflashFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/wnyflashYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WNYFlash/
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