The 2021 National Women’s Soccer League season begins tonight, with a pair of exciting matchups. Houston welcomes Chicago for a rematch of the 2020 Challenge Cup that saw Houston lift their first trophy. At 10:30 pm ET, the Portland Thorns play expansion/relocation side Kansas City at Providence Park, in Portland. Supporters won’t have a long stretch between NWSL games from now until the NWSL Championship match on Nov. 20. Let’s break down the 2021 NWSL Trophy Winners.
The public knows when teams will battle for the title, but no one knows who will get there. Beyond Women’s Sports invited writers to answer that question, other title predictions, and their thoughts behind them.
Here are the 2021 predictions for the Challenge Cup, NWSL Shield, Championship game participants, and the NWSL Champions.
2021 Trophy Predictions
Challenge Cup
Grant: Portland will be stripped of some of their most impactful players during the first two matches of the tournament against Kansas City and Chicago. The Thorns will be without Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn, Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith, Becky Sauerbrunn for the first two matches.
Despite the absences, I still think Portland has the quality to beat Kansas City especially if Morgan Weaver, Simone Charley, and Raquel Rodriguez get hot. The Thorns’ second match is against Chicago and although both teams will be without their national team players; Chicago is much less hindered by the absences and will be at home. But Chicago lost Savannah McCaskill, Yuki Nagasato, and Michele Vasconcelos, and Mallory Pugh is injured so goals may be hard to come by for Chicago. Whoever wins this match should be the favorite to win the whole tournament and I think Portland will do enough to take at least a point from this match.
Robbie: I think Houston will bring the most offensive firepower into the Challenge Cup, taking advantage of the other teams having their players with the various international teams during that time.
Thomas: Every team will indeed have their hands full with absences during the Challenge Cup, but Chicago’s defense may be strong enough to withstand it for a couple of matches. Their midfield of Danny Colaprico, Morgan Gautrat, Vanessa DiBernardo, and Sarah Woldmoe can’t be looked past. The offense was their concern in 2020, but a full year under coach Rory Dames’ system for Kealia Watt will only make her gel better with the Chicago team.
It wouldn’t shock me to see a team like Racing Louisville make the championship for this cup. They don’t have any internationals missing and the team has strong veteran leadership. On top of that; they’ve had a strong preseason of goal-scoring opportunities, and that could be the difference-maker in a four-match tournament.
NWSL Shield
Cee: Over this past year the Thorns have taken some big losses. But gained a lot of strength in the meantime, however, with the Olympics taking some of their biggest playmakers away it’s hard to say how the team will fare in their absence. But with their roster, as it is, and a deep bench the Thorns are a major threat going into the regular season.
Grant: The Thorns do not have an exceptionally deep roster, but they do have impact players that can get results in the absence of the internationals. And their depth will be bolstered with the additions of draft picks Yazmeen Ryan and Hannah Betfort.
When Portland is at full strength it will be hard to get any points off of them. The big question is ‘how do the Thorns cope when they aren’t at full strength?’ Mark Parsons proved during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup that his team can still perform in the absence of the international stars and 2021 could be another example of this.
Robbie: I think when they have their team healthy they can beat any team in the league; with the return of Andi Sullivan and the additions of Kelley O’Hara and Emily Sonnett, I think they take the shield this year.
Thomas: Washington Spirit showed improvement last season, and adapted well to the loss of Rose Lavelle after the Challenge Cup. The old sports cliche is that defense wins championships, and their defense is really good. Take away new defensive signings from the US Women’s National Team in O’Hara and Sonnett, and you still have a side that gave up just four goals in the Fall Series. When this team has their weapons back from international play, and when new rookie forward Trinity Rodman gets her footing in the league; they’ll be a tough opponent for any side.
Championship Game
Cee: Even with huge losses like Dunn, and players yet to return from the transfer; it’s hard to count North Carolina out with the returning starters they have who are definitely hungry to defend their regular-season title after their early knockout in the 2020 Challenge Cup and experimental fall series.
Grant: The Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, and North Carolina Courage are the other three teams that I could see making a playoff run. Who does this will depend on seeding because the top-two seeds have a distinct advantage. If Chicago can find where the goals will come from, I think they will be in the final. But I could see Washington or North Carolina making it there too off the backs of their respective attacking duos: Ashley Sanchez/Ashley Hatch and Lynn Williams/Debinha.
Ultimately, I think Chicago will be the other top seed alongside Portland and they will meet in the final.
Robbie: Both teams have something to prove this year and this game is inevitable as the Final.
Thomas: Washington and Portland are the two best teams in the league, on paper. When the playoffs arrive, everyone will return from international duty and teams will go at it full strength. These are the two teams that look the best at their full strength.
NWSL Champions
Cee: One thing the Thorns have always been fantastic at is making sure that their strength can be seen throughout their roster not just their set starters. And it is that depth partnered with their new editions, that could give them the leg up in the end.
Grant: I don’t want to seem like a homer, but Portland is my NWSL Champion. I don’t see any other team with similar quality across every line on the pitch. Also, no team has as many difference-makers of international quality as the Portland Thorns. That is why I think the Thorns may win an NWSL treble.
Robbie: Gotham FC always has the Spirits number in big game environments and this game will be no exception.
Thomas: It’s hard to choose against a side like Portland. In each position, they have world-class talent. Barring any injuries or shocking trades, Portland will show the NWSL why they’re the class of the league.
Read the work from all of these writers throughout the 2021 season:
Cee Rivers writes for Beyond Women’s Sports and has covered the league since 2020. She also writes about the WNBA, NWHL, and more.
Grant Little covers the Portland Thorns for Stumptown Footy, on the SB Nation writing network. He also covers Real Madrid Feminino for Managing Madrid.
Robbie Rogers covers Gotham FC, formerly known as Sky Blue FC, for Jersey Sporting News.
Thomas Costello covers the NWSL for Beyond Women’s Sports, the Columbus Crew & Columbus Eagles for SB Nation site Massive Report, and writes about mental health in the sport of soccer on FC Not Alone.
You can catch up on all 10 NWSL teams now, through Beyond Women’s Sports team previews:
