It’s almost the new year. The calendar flip from December to January leads to the inevitable New Years resolution. For some, resolutions are a genuine means to self-improvement. Mostly, people either ignore the entire tradition or set them and forget them. To put it lightly, the NWSL’s 2021 season was difficult. That means the league is in a fantastic place to set growth-inspired resolutions. Luckily for the NWSL, Beyond Women’s Sports has ideas. Let’s take a look at a few NWSL resolutions for the league and its teams.
NWSL: Turn a Corner
There’s a lot riding on the 2022 NWSL season. The league kicks off its 10th season and features big changes. There’s a record 12 teams, with the introduction of Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC. Also, the league is rebranding. In July, the NWSL announced Chicago-based creative agency Soulsight began the process of rolling out a new league identity, slated for release at the end of 2021.
Since that July 1, 2021 release, a lot’s happened. For one, five coaches were fired, or resigned, from their respective teams due to accusations of abuse from players. None of those news stories loomed larger than former NC Courage coach Paul Riley.
Riley’s firing was followed closely by NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird’s dismissal. Its impact spread further to the postponing of matches and relocating the NWSL Championship from Portland to Louisville.
Even with a year of scandals, the league grew. The NWSL Championship game saw a 216% increase in viewership over the 2019 Championship game. That increase followed a 2020, pandemic-impacted, season that saw a 493% increase in viewers during the Challenge Cup bubble tournament.
So, the league is getting new support. The NWSL can’t only hope that they’ve cleaned house in 2021. They need to be certain. In 2022, the NWSL’s resolution is turn a corner from the abusive power figures that are woven into the history of the league. Tolerance needs to be at zero, as supporters’ groups have to be sick of creating statements against actions of the league and their clubs.
An easy way to do that is through listening to the players. A collective bargaining agreement is still pending, but when it comes to social justice and protecting players, it needs to start with listening to the players themselves.
Chicago Red Stars: Get a Coach
This resolution seems obvious, but the Chicago Red Stars need a coach. As of publishing, they’re the only team without a leader at the helm. November 21, the Red Stars accepted former coach Rory Dames’ resignation in the hours before the Washington Post released allegations towards the coach. Abuse allegations that spanned years.
Since then, the Red Stars lost six players, including defender Sarah Gorden and US National Team defender/midfielder Julie Ertz. Chicago made these trades and conducted an entire draft without a formal leader for the club.
A team that lost in extra time to the Washington Spirit, at the NWSL Championship, has little time to onboard somebody new. Training camp across the NWSL begins on February 1, 2022.
Fortunately, whoever joins Chicago joins inherits a strong foundation. The Red Stars’ roster includes United States National Team names in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defenders Casey Krueger and Tierna Davidson and forward Mallory Pugh. In addition, World Cup winner Morgan Gautrat, forward Kealia Watt and midfielder Sarah Woldmoe.
The clock is ticking.
Angel City FC & San Diego Wave FC: Make the Playoffs
The 2022 Expansion Draft was, in a word, odd. Mostly because over half the league made moves to control who stayed and left their teams. It was a trend started by Chicago prior to the 2021 Expansion Draft for Racing Louisville FC. Chicago traded midfielders Savannah McCaskill and Yuki Nagasato for draft immunity.
Prior to the draft on December 16, multiple clubs traded big names for draft immunity. Gorden and Ertz went to Angel City FC and the Orlando Pride sent forward Alex Morgan to San Diego. Those are two of many transactions that turned heads.
San Diego and Angel City have stronger rosters than previous expansion sides. Giving them a huge advantage. Their competition is also impacted. For example, Gotham FC traded both of their top goalkeepers for immunity. Chicago has to develop a new defensive center back pairing.
While only six teams can make the playoffs, their rosters stack up well against the rest of the league. Getting into the 2022 NWSL Playoffs isn’t anywhere near impossible.
Kansas City Current: Get Out of the Cellar
When Kansas City rejoined the NWSL in 2021, they didn’t have a formal name, logo and makeshift everything. Kansas City played at a baseball stadium with former FC Kansas City leader Huw Williams.
At the end of the 2021 season, Kansas City ended the year firmly in last place; earning only 16 points in 24 matches.
For all the difficulty of building the plane while flying it at the same time are now behind Kansas City. They’re now branded as the Kansas City Current. Also, the Current will play at Children’s Mercy Park, home for Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. That is until their own stadium is ready. Kansas City announced a new stadium to open in 2023.
On the field, they’re also growing. Kansas City was immune from the 2022 Expansion Draft, but still made a big move. On November 30, United States National Team midfielder Sam Mewis was traded to the Current from NC Courage. The 29-year-old Mewis joins fellow US international Adrianna Franch, in goal, and gold medal winning Canadian Desiree Scott.
Kansas City only won three matches in 2021, but they came in the last 11 matches. The Current are with the Red Stars in being without a coach, as of publishing, but even so, don’t expect them in last place in 2022.
What NWSL resolutions do you have for your club? Share with us on Twitter @BeyondWSports. Follow Thomas Costello on Twitter too, @1ThomasCostello.
