With the offseason officially concluded, we can see how the new CBA has affected the volume of college signings in both the #NWSL and outside the NWSL. Though the margins of NWSL signings was fairly tight, the amount of money flowing into rookies' pockets obliterates past years.

NWSL Squad Review Final #NWSL rosters were announced yesterday. I’m going to review each team’s squad below, but feel free to take a look yourself at this link. skybluebats.shinyapps.io/NWSL-Squads/

The NWSL is back! If you need a refresher on how teams changed in the offseason, the link below has you covered. Who is returning, a new arrival, or no longer with the club? skybluebats.shinyapps.io/NWSL-Squads/

Ally Sentnor's shot difficulty (0.06 xG / shot) was the most extreme of any NWSL season @fbref.com has data for (45+ shots taken). Finding more chances inside the box would help Sentnor take another leap forward. But I would love to see Ally keep taking aim from that sweet spot just outside the 18.

It's no secret Kiki Pickett had a breakout season as a holding mid for Bay FC. It's still worth highlighting how good she was in a new role. Via @americansocceranalysis.com's Defensive Net G+ / 96, Pickett's defensive performance was 94th percentile among DM/CMs in NWSL history (900+ min, 2016-24).

The SheBelieves Cup is back tonight! If I was in charge, here's my starting XI for each squad w/ basic tactical plans. 5pm ET: Japan vs Australia 8pm ET: USWNT vs Colombia

There is still much to be learned about the effects of the NWSL’s new CBA. Ending the college draft is already a colossal win, when it comes to empowering young players.

The #NSL is loading up on first-year pros + highly-tenured veterans, relative to the #NWSL. However, players in the two WoSo leagues average a similar level of pro experience. NSL teams are mostly split at the extremes, while the NWSL represents a range of squad building approaches.

We hear people say “listen to women” or “listen to black women” a lot. They’ve increasingly been slogans of mine I try to live by, but I’ve recently seen negative reactions to those sayings. As a person of privilege in most possible ways, I want to share my perspective of what that means to me…

Happy Black History Month to all, but especially to the USWNT trailblazers! Some historic firsts for black women in USWNT: Kim Crabbe — first to earn a callup Sandi Gordon — first to earn a cap Briana Scurry — NSHoF inductee Christen Press — Hermann Trophy Sophia Smith — US Soccer POTY

Northern Super League rosters As #NSL teams keep announcing signings, I’ll add the new players to this tracker. skybluebats.shinyapps.io/NorthernSupe...

Northern Super League #NSL teams continue to reveal new players, and a lot more are expected this week. Here’s where they stand for announced signings.

2025 NCAA #WoSo Rookie Class Busy day for college signings, so this include’s today’s signings & breaks out NWSL vs. other leagues + available.

2025 NCAA #WoSo Rookie Class By my count, 18 players have signed. That number will surely rise soon, including some of my top 6 available here.

My top 30 #NWSL free agents Players in darker gray are still negotiating with their team, others have been announced as leaving. No ranking here, just attackers up top, defenders + keepers bottom, etc.

Has any #WoSo player been utilized as differently by club + country as Crystal Dunn?

Just finished She Can Kick It. What a lovely read overall, but especially enjoyed learning about the early years of WoSo. Lily Parr, Rose Reilly, Molly Seaton, Sheila Parker, the Lost Lionesses, Alice Milliat. So many important players and champions.

Angel City kicked off the offseason with an international transfer + college signing ☑️ Julie Dufour, young all-around winger from Paris FC, 8 caps for 🇫🇷 ☑️ Macey Hodge, rookie from Mississippi State, ball-winning mid ❔ playmaking mid ❔ CB to fill in until Gilles back ❔ veteran keeper

Favorite gift this year. Just need an away kit now, bc I heard Gotham could use a winger

The Kansas City Current had a slow start to the offseason, then made a couple moves this week. ☑️ signed keeper Laurel Ivory ☑️ traded for Rocky Rodríguez ❔ 🇧🇷 GK Lorena from Grêmio rumored ❔ Center back depth

As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I had to back @courtneystith.com’s claim of NJ as a WoSo development hotbed.

Gotham FC gets their first addition of the offseason, as Jaelin Howell is coming over in the trade with Seattle Reign. They need to sign (or bring back 🤞) a winger + add depth on every line, but central midfield is the first big need filled.

This is out of date already, as @jennatonelli.bsky.social reports an update to the Lynn Williams trade. GK Cassie Miller also coming to Seattle, while Jaelin Howell heads to Gotham FC. Reign get a starting option in Miller, who had a strong start to 2024 before Berger took over in net.

Seattle Reign off to a nice start in the offseason. Biggest needs were keeper, left back, and direct scoring threat up top. ☑️ Signed Madi Curry ☑️ Traded for Lynn Williams ❔ Goalkeeper next hopefully ❔ Depth at attacking mid, keeper, winger

Utah Royals adding Alex Loera provides a solid option at defensive mid + center back. They already had depth at DM, but I still wanted them to add another. Having extra options there allows Zornoza to move up in the midfield or Del Fava to slide out to right back, which I like for both players.

After signing Sheehan + trading for Westphal, the Houston Dash re-signed some nice players in West, Chapman, and Harris. They still need to target a central attacker or two, but the roster is coming into form nicely.

The way Olivia Thomas brought home title #23 for UNC in style, she needs a Jordan deal asap. College WoSo champions have been more varied than ever lately, but Carolina Blue claims a majority yet again.

Portland Thorns fans can breathe a bit easier when it comes to central defense, after adding Hiatt + Daiane. I’d still expect them to re-sign another CB, then attacking mid is the most important next target.

San Diego Wave are crushing it so far in the post-draft era. Byars likely would’ve been #1 pick, now they add top-5 talent McMahon. The Westphal-to-Dash trade makes sense with this move, but SD still needs to reinforce the midfield + find another striker.

The 2018 Stanford Cardinal have to be the most talented NCAA WoSo roster ever, with 15 players who have played in the NWSL or WSL. What other teams deserve a shout here?

Here are my top 30 remaining NWSL free agents. I used a mix of my eye test + data from @xowngoals.bsky.social.

What a year for the Orlando Pride. If you listen to @sheabutterfc.com or @diasporautdpod.bsky.social, you knew they’d be better. But shield + title all at once! Besides re-signing Marta, their needs are purely depth / long-term. Needs: AM, RB, RW NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

The Washington Spirit season ended in heartbreak, but reaching the final is a sign of things to come. Their young, exciting roster is largely signed thru 2026. So backline depth + a backup for Sullivan should be the focus. Needs: CB, CM, RB NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

After Gotham FC won the title, marquis signings raised expectations for their quality. Those were met, but competitors improving meant a semi-final exit. Talent is still there, but depth is an issue at the wings + central defense. Needs: LW, CB, DM NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

The Kansas City Current had an incredible season, setting league scoring records left and right. The league’s best midfield + most explosive attack are here to stay. Re-upping Schult + adding depth at the back should be the focus. Needs: GK, DM, RB NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

The North Carolina Courage had a solid season, by themselves in the tier below the top four. Almost all of the roster is signed for 2025+, so I’m nitpicking to identify needs. But I’d focus on depth along the left flank + striker. Needs: LB, LW, ST NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

Great pickup for the Thorns getting Sam Hiatt. Started nearly half of the games for Gotham, but clearly showed she deserved a full starting role. Center back remains a need for Portland. Curious if Sauerbrunn returns or if it’ll be a brand new central defense.

This season was a rollercoaster for the Portland Thorns, ending a bit earlier than usual. They have a strong front 6 & decent fullbacks. Center back is a major need (re-signing Becky would help), then can focus on depth mostly. Needs: GM, CB, AM, RB NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

Bay FC started slow in their debut season, but found a groove once they found a midfield that meshed well. The starting XI looks solid for 2025, but finding a pure 10 + adding depth on the right flank will be key. Needs: GM, RW, AM, RB NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

The Chicago Stars rallied from a last-place finish in 2023 to make the playoffs, but were lacking in midfield. The Maitane López signing provides a solid option for multiple needs, but they still need depth + a playmaking mid. Needs: AM, DM, CB NWSL contract data via @tayvincent6.bsky.social

As Racing Louisville searches for a GM, they have holes to fill on the back line, but also need an improved attack. Most of their mids/forwards are returning, so a healthier Kanu + more time for Beckie/Balcer to mesh will go a long way. Needs: GM, CB, LB, DM NWSL contract data via @spotrac.com

Left back was a need for the Reign, but signing Madison Curry solves that quickly. She can slot right into the starting XI there, while providing depth across the entire back line. Next up for Seattle — find a keeper, then find someone who can play striker and maybe the 10.

Delanie Sheehan signing for Houston is a nice match. She often plays a hybrid CM/AM, but can play DM. The below midfield would mesh well in a 4-3-3 imo — Schmidt as the lone 6 — Sheehan playing the 8 — Olivieri or Yūki as a roaming 10 Depth: Rubensson, Puntigam, Matthews

This rocks so hard. What a legacy Fishlock has built for country, let alone her club career.

The San Diego Wave had their first down season, but saw promising form from both young players and summer transfers. They’ve already made a splash with Trinity Byars, but need to find a head coach + reinforce the midfield. Needs: HC, DM, CM, ST NWSL contract data via @spotrac.com

The Utah Royals’ return to the NWSL was a tale of two seasons. A coaching change + summer transfers (shoutout to my new favorite player Claudia Zornoza) turned things around, but they need to keep adding experienced players. Needs: RW, LB, DM Contract data via @spotrac.com

Angel City has an interesting offseason ahead, dealing with front office suspensions + new ownership. Results need to get better, but given the talent already on the squad, transfers can’t be the only focus. Needs: AM, GK, CB NWSL contract data via @spotrac.com

The Seattle Reign had a rare down year, but will have more flexibility to make moves. I wonder if they’ll focus on youth/development or retooling for 2025. Needs: GK, ST, LB Contract data via @spotrac.com

I will make these for all NWSL teams, going in reverse order of the 2024 table, then updating periodically throughout the offseason. Special shoutout to Taylor Vincent @tayvincent6.bsky.social! It is awesome to have NWSL roster/contract data in a centralized, reliable site that is public + free.

Top priority for the Houston Dash this offseason is to overhaul the front office. Beyond that, there’s a few roster needs, but achieving a sense of stability (+ excitement) is paramount. Needs: GM, HC, AM, LB, ST Contract data via @spotrac.com