I’m biased. I don’t care. I’m also REALLY excited to watch the NWSL this year. As a former player who usually got some extra reps during those World Cup/Olympic seasons, I selfishly love these “interrupted” years even more (sorry if that it’s bad for marketing or whatever). With the national teamers away, the rest of the league gets to show what it can do. And when the season kicks off this weekend, this is who I’ve got an eye on from each team.

Portland Thorns: Morgan Weaver

Not to be the most dramatic, but this feels like a bit of a make or break year for the former No. 2 pick, who will absolutely get minutes while Crystal Dunn and crew are fighting the good fight over in Europe. Will she fall into the category of just adding to Portland’s “depth,” or could Weaver herself be thrown into the USWNT convo next cycle? This Portland team needs the latter, especially with so many players set to miss games during the Olympics. 

OL Reign: Dani Weatherholt

I already said I’m biased and I don’t care, but I think Dani is the enforcer the Reign need and they should try to find ways to get her on the pitch. They’ve got some incredibly tactical players, but they missed a little bit of bite at times last year. I think Dani can be that player as someone who is effective on both sides of the ball.

Houston Dash: Shea Groom

Houston seemed to finally piece it together last season, and Groom was a huge reason why. She was the missing piece that perfectly linked together the talents of Kristie Mewis, Rachel Daly and Sophie Schmidt. If those three all find themselves on Olympic rosters, Groom’s role will get even bigger. 

Washington Spirit: TBH, I don’t know

Maybe Ashley Hatch? Ashley Sanchez? The Spirit are year-over-year fairly consistent, and the big Emily Sonnett and Kelley O’Hara signings will shore up their defense. But if they’re really going to make a title run, they need to score more, and I’m as eager as everyone else is to see who will do it.

Gotham FC: Sodam Lee

I mean… did you see THAT preseason goal? C’mon.

The satisfying swish 🥅, the supporters’ angle, yes it’s Monday and we’re posting THAT Sodam Lee volley 💥#veomoment

(Via: @veocamera ) pic.twitter.com/xr0eOsqdlm

— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) March 29, 2021

NC Courage: Merritt Mathias

Last season, between COVID opt-outs and injuries, the typically stout North Carolina defense looked unusually leaky. Mathias’ absence and slow return from knee surgery was a big reason why. Not only did the Courage miss their back four partnership, they desperately missed Mathias’ attacking power and crosses into the box. With her back this season (and no Jaelene Daniels (Hinkle)), Mathias will be called on even more in a rebound year for the Courage.

Chicago Red Stars: Mal Pugh

Chicago’s move to acquire Mal made it clear they felt they still needed to fill the void left first by Sam Kerr (now in England) and then Yuki Nagasato (now in Louisville). When healthy, Pugh is undoubtedly one of the world’s best forwards. And this year, she’ll be motivated to have a strong NWSL season in order to get herself back into the USWNT conversation. With an incredibly strong team behind her, Chicago should again make a top of the table push if they score more consistently. Pugh will have a chance to shine. 

Orlando Pride: Marisa Viggiano

I really mean this. Marisa is GOOD GOOD. In a team of stars, I believe Viggiano’s ability to connect lines will be key for the Pride if this team is going to find a way for its big-name players to share the fame field.  She’s crafty, plays smart and always seems to find herself in the right pockets of space.

Kansas City Woso: Darian Jenkins

The swap that sent Darian Jenkins and Tziarra King to new surroundings could end up being crucial for both sides. Both are extremely talented (Darian is a bit more experienced), but neither quite found a goal-scoring groove last season. Jenkins has the raw tools to replace Christen Press and team up with A-Rod on the attack. If KC is going to be successful year one (or whatever we’re calling this), solidifying that pairing will be a huge reason why. 

Louisville FC: Michelle Betos

Louisville had a mission to make Betos their #1 keeper, and they made that clear in the expansion draft. She’s truly one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met in any area of life, and it’s great to see her have a team put their full faith in her proven abilities (and winning record). An extremely young Louisville side will need her voice just as much as her shot stopping. If she can stay healthy, expect Betos to be a big reason for Louisville’s growth this season. 

 

The WNBA is back in action on Tuesday night, as the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm headline a series of games that could make or break the current trajectories of several 2025 title contenders.

Seeking an especially strong Tuesday performance is the Fever, as Indiana tries to snap a two-game losing streak against the increasingly confident Storm.

"There are going to be stretches that are really good and there's going to be stretches that aren't as good," Fever guard Caitlin Clark said on Sunday, addressing her recent shooting slump.

While the Indiana and Seattle clash will lead the Tuesday charge, the night will also see young squads sizing up WNBA juggernauts as bottom-table teams look for a leg up:

• No. 8 Indiana Fever vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, 10 PM ET (NBA TV): The Fever need a win against a Storm side that can't seem to lose, as both teams eye the postseason.

• No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 9 Washington Mystics, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The up-and-coming Mystics will attempt to hand the Lynx a second season loss, as Minnesota star Napheesa Collier remains day-to-day with lower back stiffness.

• No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 12 Dallas Wings, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Dream are on a tear, surging up the standings as the struggling Wings attempt to take flight.

• No. 10 LA Sparks vs. No. 11 Chicago Sky, 8 PM ET (NBA TV): The Sparks have cooled after a hot start while the Sky has yet to rev up, with both teams aiming to end a three-game losing streak on Tuesday night.

Teams across the league are hoping to make the most of every minute while also managing injury concerns and absences as the WNBA All-Star break looms.

The WNBA Class of 2025 is already making its mark on the league, with first-year players stepping up and showing out while the Rookie of the Year race — and betting odds — heat up.

No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers has been just as good as advertised, with the Dallas Wings guard leading her class in both minutes played and points per game while also charting league-wide in assists per game, steals per game, and mid-range shots made.

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DraftKings currently has Bueckers as the clear WNBA Rookie of the Year race frontrunner at -1,000, though the dynamic DC duo of guard Sonia Citron (+1,500) and forward Kiki Iriafen (+1,000) are quickly gaining traction.

Iriafen won May's WNBA Rookie of the Month award after a series of career-opening double-doubles, while her Washington Mystics teammate Citron has continued to execute in the clutch — most recently posting a career-high double-double performance of 27 points and 11 rebounds in last Sunday's 91-88 overtime win over Dallas.

"Not only is [Iriafen] holding her own, she's excelling," Citron told JWS earlier this month. "And seeing that is just incredible."

"Soni just does all the little things," Iriafen added. "She doesn't shortcut anything, she's doing the fundamentals, she doesn't cheat the game at all."

Though the NWSL hit the pause button this week, players worldwide are still on the move, as both European and US soccer teams use the midseason break to sharpen their lineups with international signings.

The NWSL has already seen one major departure, with the San Diego Wave announcing Monday that forward María Sánchez will return to her former Liga MX club UANL Tigres after nearly five years in the NWSL, with the Wave set to receive an undisclosed transfer fee in return.

"When the opportunity came to return to Tigres, I had to do a lot of inner searching, and I ultimately decided that returning to Liga MX Femenil and Tigres specifically was the best course of action for my career," the 29-year-old dual citizen and Mexico international player said in the Wave's release.

NWSL clubs are also setting their sights on European free agents, with the Washington Spirit bringing in Juventus forward Sofia Cantore last week — the first Italian signing in league history.

Also hopping aboard the player transaction carousel is new WSL side London City, with the top-flight debutantes inking OL Lyonnes midfielder and Dutch international Daniëlle van de Donk on Friday.

Meanwhile, van de Donk's wife and club teammate Ellie Carpenter is also potentially WSL-bound, with the defender reportedly nearing a deal that would see the Australian join Chelsea FC in return for the Blues sending Canadian international Ashley Lawrence to OL Lyonnes.

For their part, OL Lyonnes picked up defender Ingrid Engen from Barcelona as a free agent last week, adding the Norwegian international after snagging French forward and PSG's all-time leading scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto earlier this month.

With the most recent NWSL CBA abolishing traditional trade windows, expect even more international signings and roster reshufflings before the league resumes play on August 1st.

San Diego is paying tribute to one of their own, with the Wave announcing plans to retire the No. 13 jersey of NWSL and USWNT legend Alex Morgan on September 7th.

Still topping the team's all-time scoring leaderboard with 23 goals in just over two seasons with San Diego, the retired club captain will be the first-ever Wave player to receive the prestigious honor.

Morgan also led San Diego to the 2023 NWSL Shield as well as postseason appearances in the 2022 expansion club's first two seasons.

"Alex's legacy goes far beyond goals and accolades. She helped lay the foundation for this club and elevated the standard for what women's soccer is today," said Wave FC governor Lauren Leichtman in the team's Tuesday announcement.

"She made this city her home, inspired our fans and community, and helped define who we are," Leichtman continued. "Her impact will be felt for generations, and it's only fitting that her number becomes a permanent part of Wave FC history." 

Morgan joined the Southern California squad's ownership group just last month, saying "San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career."

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How to attend the San Diego jersey retirement of Alex Morgan

San Diego will officially retire Morgan's No. 13 jersey during their home match against the Houston Dash at 8 PM ET on September 7th.

Tickets to the game will go on sale to the general public online at 6 PM ET on Tuesday.