2024 NWSL Kickoff weekend - Quick notes

It's time to buy a ticket if you live near one of the markets, find streaming outlets or sign up for NWSL+ (it's easy, and free) because this is opening weekend.

The UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, (basically a preseason match, like Ashley explained) is set for Friday, March 15, when reigning NWSL Champion NJ/NY Gotham FC hosts San Diego Wave FC, winner of the 2023 NWSL Shield.

Kickoff is at 8 p.m. (ET) with live streaming on Prime Video.

According to Jeff Rueter (paywall alert), from the Athletic, March 12, 2024, here are key players from each team to watch: NJ/NY Gotham FC, Yazmeen Ryan – midfielder (not who you might have been expecting, eh? There are a lot of names on the roster from the USWNT who occasional viewers may recognize.)

And, from San Diego Wave FC, there is Jaedyn Shaw, a forward, and exactly who you should have been expecting to read if you're already a savvy fan.

Regular season Opening Week (Notes from NWSL):

CPKC Stadium Opener, it features a rematch of the 2022 NWSL Championship, and features Three 2023 MVP Finalists: Saturday, March 16 | Kansas City Current vs. Portland Thorns FC | CPKC Stadium | 1 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN+

Rueter's players to watch:

Kansas City Current, Nichelle Prince – forward (returning from injury-plagued 2023) and from Portland Thorns FC, Morgan Weaver – forward.

Um, isn't Sophia Smith, 2023 NWSL leading goal scorer, on that squad?

Yes. But, hear him out.

Smith's being there "actually does wonders to showcase how good Weaver is in her own right" (Rueter, 2024).

Borges vs. Brazilian Teammates, on Saturday, March 16 | Racing Louisville FC vs. Orlando Pride | Lynn Family Stadium | 4 p.m. ET | NWSL+

Rueter's players to watch: He agrees, it's forward Ary Borges (Racing Louisville FC), but he cites Kylie Strom (Orlando Pride) as being among the best wide defenders in the league as a player to watch in this one.

We'll be watching the debut of Zambian striker, Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride) as well.

Dominant Defenses will be on full display, Saturday, March 16 | North Carolina Courage vs. Houston Dash | WakeMed Soccer Park | 7 p.m. ET | NWSL+

American fans, take heart! Dominant defense isn't a bad thing in this sport.

Enjoy Kaleigh Kurtz (defender, North Carolina Courage) and Houston's Jane Campbell (goalkeeper) as examples. You may have heard of other keepers, but it was Campbell who led the NWSL in key goalkeeper stats in 2023, with a 0.83 goals-against average (GAA), 8 clean sheets and 91 saves.

Royals Return in Utah on Saturday, March 16 | Utah Royals FC vs. Chicago Red Stars | America First Field | 7:30 p.m. ET | ION

Utah Royals FC returns to action (expansion) to host the Chicago Red Stars.

Rueter's players to watch include Mikaela Cluff, midfielder (Utah Royals FC) and Julia Bianchi also a midfielder (Chicago Red Stars) the Brazilian star, who is recognized among the league's best long-range passers.

We also think Alyssa Naeher (goalkeeper) and the return (injury) of Mallory (Pugh) Swanson won't hurt an otherwise retooled Chicago Red Stars squad, either.

The league bills it as a War of Washingtons on Sunday, March 17 | Seattle Reign FC (you know from the state of Washington) vs. Washington Spirit | Lumen Field | 6 p.m. ET | NWSL+

Rueter's players to watch: Bethany Balcer, forward (Seattle Reign FC) and Paige Metayer, midfielder (Washington Spirit).

We'll be interested to see how both squads compete, following the departures of some key players, Seattle Reign FC, Megan Rapinoe (retirement) and Rose Lavelle (signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC) and playmaker Ashley Sanchez (Washingon Spirit) who was traded to North Carolina Courage for a draft pick and some cash (allocation money—that's a blog yet to be written).

New Neighbors (oh good, another nor cal vs. so cal rivalry) will face each other on Sunday, March 17 | Angel City FC vs. Bay FC | BMO Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | NWSL+

Angel City FC, who removed the interim label from head coach Becki Tweed this offseason, boasts key defender, M.A. Vignola, NWSL All-League Second Team honoree in her first full season (2023) following hip surgery in 2022.

Bay FC features a slew of international superstars along with defender Alex Loera (trade) for the second expansion team for 2024.

Go ahead, get fired up. If you're here, chances are good you already are.