NWSL 2017 Season Kicks Off
The 2017 NWSL 24-game season kicks off in three days with the first match scheduled for April 15th — bringing fans many games on broadcast TV and all matches streaming on the NWSL site. Who will win this year’s extremely competitive championship?
NWSL Soccer News: The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Managing Director of Operations Amanda Duffy hopped on the phone with the media this morning and was joined on the call by Portland Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons and defender Emily Menges, and Orlando Pride head coach Tom Sermanni and defender Steph Catley — all in preparation for the launch of the 2017 season.
“The fire and energy will be electric this NWSL season,” says Parson. “There is pressure to be a our best.”
The 2017 NWSL season promises to be better than ever and officially kicks off this Saturday, April 15 at 2 p.m. ET as Houston Dash take on the Chicago Red Stars at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.
This is an exciting time for women’s soccer — with the debut NWSL Game of the Week airing on Lifetime, featuring the defending NWSL Shield winners Portland Thorns FC as they host the Orlando Pride at 3 p.m. ET at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The match will be followed by the Washington Spirit hosting North Carolina Courage at 3 p.m. ET at Maureen Hendricks Field at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland.
To conclude the first day of the season, Seattle Reign FC host Sky Blue FC at 10 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium in Seattle, Washington.
Wrapping up opening weekend on Easter Sunday, FC Kansas City face Boston Breakers on April 16th at 6 p.m. ET at Children’s Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri.
Orlando’s Catley says, “Coming in the last two weeks, everyone looks really sharp and we are excited for Saturday.”
NWSL full schedule.
As the fan base continues to grow, we should all show our passion for the game and cheer for our favorite team wearing great NWSL fan gear – check out the choices.
One of the new sparks on the NWSL field this season will be Brazil icon Marta playing for the Orlando Pride. One of the best female soccer players in the world, Marta Vieira da Silva is the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year and her signing is a major accomplishment for the Florida club. Marta’s two-year contract with Orlando has an option for a third year. This news was first reported on Women’s Soccer Weekly.
In other news, there is still an active, massive search ongoing for a new NWSL Commissioner to replace Jeff Plush who recently left the position. Duffy has stepped into the leadership position as the season kicks off.
More Women’s Soccer News:
There is good news all around women’s soccer in the USA — the labor dispute between the U.S. Women’s National Team players association and U.S. Soccer is over.
The two have ratified a collective bargaining agreement — a new, five-year deal was announced this week and will run through 2021.
“We believe this is another important step to continue our longstanding efforts to drive the growth of women’s soccer in the United States. This agreement helps to ensure the strength of the women’s national team, provide stability and growth potential for the National Women’s Soccer League, and over time strengthen the elite player development process at the grassroots level. We believe our continued partnership will ensure a bright future for our sport for years to come,” said U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati.
The new CBA provides players with an enhanced “lifestyle” benefits.
There will be a total of 22 U.S. Women’s National Team federation players hitting the field in the upcoming NWSL season.
