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NWSL - State of the League

Trying to get to know NWSL? Here’s our team-by-team breakdown of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2018.

By Kreg Asay, Ryan Kelly, and Cindy Lara
NWSL logo

If you haven’t seen it already, you can read the Soapbox’s NWSL overview here. In this article we will break down the teams in the league, and players to watch.

Boston Breakers

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 9th, 4-13-7
  • Stadium details: Jordan Field (Harvard University) - Capacity: 4,100 (seated), Field Size: 116 x 74 yards (FieldTurf)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: 2,896
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Blue with white stripes. Shorts - Blue

Away: Jersey - White with blue neck. Shorts - Blue

  • Players to watch: Rose Lavelle, Natasha Dowie, Adriana Leon
  • Preview: 2018 will be the team’s 13th year in existence (9th consecutive), their main supporters group is called the Boston Armada. So far they haven’t found a lot of success in NWSL failing to qualify for the playoffs every year the league has operated.

Chicago Red Stars

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 4th, 11-7-6
  • Stadium details: Toyota Park - Capacity: 20,000, Field Size: 120 x 75 yards (Kentucky Bluegrass)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: 3,198
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Light blue gradient with white shoulders and row of red stars. Shorts - Light Blue

Away: Jersey - White with light blue stripes and row of red stars. Shorts - Red

  • Players to watch: Christen Press, Julie Ertz, Sofia Huerta, Danielle Colaprico
  • Preview: Founded in 2006 the Red Stars has spent time in 3 previous leagues before joining NWSL. They have made the playoffs for 3 consecutive years, but have yet to make it past the semi-final.

Houston Dash

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 8th, 7-14-3
  • Stadium details: BBVA Compass Stadium - Capacity: 7,000 (22,039 full) ; Field Size: 115 x 73 yards (Bermuda Grass)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: 4,578
  • Kit (uniform) colors

Home: Jersey - Orange with white shoulders. Shorts - Orange

Away: Jersey - Light blue with white sleeves and sides. Shorts - Light Blue

  • Players to watch: Carli Lloyd, Kealia Ohai, Rachel Daly, Janine Beckie, Jane Campbell
  • Preview: 2017 marked their 4th year in operation, but have yet to reach the playoffs. They have just hired a new coach (Vera Pauw) in hopes of changing their fortunes.

North Carolina Courage

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 1st, 16-7-1
  • Stadium details: BBVA Compass Stadium - Capacity: 10,000 ; Field Size: 120 x 75 yards (Grass)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: 4,389
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Dark blue with yellow neck. Shorts - Dark Blue

Away: Jersey - Silver with White gradient. Shorts - Silver

  • Players to watch: Samantha Mewis, Lynn Williams, Ashley Hatch, Abby Dahlkemper
  • Preview: The 2017 Shield winners lost the final to Portland; in their former incarnation (Western New York Flash), they were the 2016 champs. Marking twice they’ve won the Shield and twice runner up for the championship.

Orlando Pride

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 3rd, 11-6-7
  • Stadium details: Orlando City Stadium - Capacity: 25,500 ; Field Size: 120 x 75 yards (Grass)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: 6,186
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Purple with light purple sleeves. Shorts - Purple

Away: Jersey - White with light blue sleeves and sides. Shorts - White

  • Players to watch: Marta, Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger
  • Preview: 2017 was the first time in the playoffs. They currently hold the record for NWSL attendance at 23,403 for their inaugural home game in 2016.

Portland Thorns FC

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 2nd, 14-5-5
  • Stadium details: Providence Park - Capacity: 21,144 ; Field Size: 110 x 75 yards (Turf)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: 17,653
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Red with gray sleeves. Shorts - Red

Away: Jersey - White with black stripe on sleeves. Shorts - White with black stripe on legs

Seattle Reign FC

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 5th, 9-8-7
  • Stadium details: Memorial Stadium - Capacity: 6,000 (12,000 full) ; Field Size: Undetermined (Turf)
  • 2017 Average Attendance: 4,037
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Blue with black stripe on sleeves. Shorts - Blue with black stripe on legs

Away: Jersey - Yellow with dark yellow sleeves. Shorts - Yellow

  • Players to watch: Megan Rapinoe, Jess Fishlock, Carson Pickett, Haley Kopmeyer
  • Preview: The Reign was the first team to win consecutive shields in 2014-15; they’ve appeared in 2 championship matches, but have yet to win it. Oh yea, their first head coach just departed (and is now ours)... could that be enough to make us rivals?

Sky Blue FC (New Jersey)

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 6th, 10-11-3
  • Stadium details: Yurcak Field - Capacity: 5,000 ; Field Size: 120 x 75 yards (Grass)
  • 2017 Average Attendance: 2,613
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Light blue with dark blue gradient. Shorts - Light blue

Away: Jersey - White. Shorts - Black

  • Players to watch: Sam Kerr, Kelley O’Hara
  • Preview: Founded in 2007, they have one of the best organized training programs NWSL allowing players to progress from youth leagues; however success has been elusive as they have only qualified for the playoffs once.

Utah Royals FC

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog - You’re already here!, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: First season (FC Kansas City finished 7th, 8-9-7)
  • Stadium details: Rio Tinto Stadium - Capacity: 20,213 ; Field Size: 120 x 75 yards (Kentucky Bluegrass)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: As FCKC 1,788
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: TBA

Away: TBA

  • Players to watch: All of them! But seriously, no players have been officially confirmed as yet. The Soapbox will be doing profiles of all the former FCKC players in coming weeks.
  • Preview: Keep watching, we’ll keep coverage coming.

Washington Spirit

  • Links: Homepage, SB Nation Blog, Reddit, Wikipedia
  • 2017 record/placement: 10th, 5-15-4
  • Stadium details: Maryland Soccerplex - Capacity: 4,000 ; Field Size: 115 x 75 yards (Kentucky Bluegrass)
  • 2017 Average Attendence: 3,491
  • Kit (uniform) colors:

Home: Jersey - Red with white shoulders. Shorts - Red

Away: Jersey - White. Shorts - Blue

  • Players to watch: Stephanie Labbé, Mallory Pugh, Joanna Lohman, Line Sigvardsen Jensen
  • Preview: The Spirit also have a good training program fielding youth teams and a 2nd division WPSL team. They’ve made the playoffs 3 times, and the finals in 2016 losing to the Flash in penalty kicks.

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