Page 74 - Soccer360 Issue 105

NWSL SEASON PREVIEW
ABOVE:
NY/NJ Gotham won last year’s trophy
LEFT:
Allysha Chapman has 99 appearances for Canada and will look to bring Houston to glory
OPPOSITE PAGE (RIGHT): Debinha scored 9 goals last season
2023 Record:
Head Coach:
Key Players:
GLORY CHASERS
WORDS SEAN MASLIN
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is ready for
an exciting 2024 season.The season, featuring 190 games, will showcase a new playoff format and an updated NWSL Challenge Cup. With a groundbreaking media rights deal ensureing that 118 games will be aired on major national channels will bring a lot more attention to the league. The season will briefly halt for the Paris 2024 Olympics, during which a special tournament, beginning between July 19-21, will take place.
Each team will play a balanced 26-game schedule over 25 weeks, avoiding clashes with FIFA dates and accommodating players with club and national commitments.
From July 15 to August 18, coinciding with the Paris Olympics, the NWSL will pause, introducing a tournament featuring all 14 teams, starting the weekend of July 19-21. The playoff format has been revised, allowing eight teams to compete, starting with quarterfinals on November 9-10, followed by semifinals on November 16-17, and concluding with the championship on November 23. The 2024 NWSL season is set to be a landmark year, promising thrilling
soccer, extensive media coverage, and a significant step forward for women’s soccer globally. Soccer 360 Magazine’s reporter Sean Maslin has a breakdown of each team as they head into the new season looking for glory.
ANGEL CITY FC
8-7-7, 31 points (Quarterfinalist)
Becki Tweed
FWD Clarisse Le Bihan (4
assists last season), DEF Sarah Gorden (2023 Best XI), DEF M.A. Vignola (2023 Best XI Second Team), DEF Ali Riley (Captain, New Zealand international), and FWD Alyssa Thompson (19 years old, played for USWNT at 2023 World Cup)
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