Preseason weekly updates

We'll post weekly recaps once play begins for 2025.

But, I decided to post some preseason notes to explain what's been going on over the past few weeks.

The schedule has been announced, the January transfer window is now closed and preseason has begun (with 40-person rosters due to the league by February 5).

That is followed by the first cut when 32-player rosters are due by February 19, followed thereafter with final rosters reported to the NWSL due by March 12, when roster compliance must be met.

The 2025 NWSL regular season schedule can be found here.

Boston Nation FC and the recently-announced Denver franchise (name pending) will have their inaugural seasons in 2026.

Free agency is and has been wild this season because the league is operating under a new CBA and it no longer features a draft for talent.

Notable players leaving the NWSL to join global teams, are USNWT members Naomi Girma (England's WSL, for Chelsea), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-German), and Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal).

Girma's departure featured a record $1.1 million transfer fee paid to San Diego Wave FC for Chelsea to acquire the rights to negotiate and sign, arguably, the world's best defender.

Key international players such as Brazilian forward and the league's 2023 MVP, Kerolin, signed with Manchester City, following three seasons with North Carolina Courage.

Trades and retirements have also been frenetic as players like Jaedyn Shaw and Lynn Biyendolo (Williams) are moving home teams, from San Diego FC to North Carolina Courage and from NJ/NY Gotham FC to Seattle Reign FC, respectively, just to name a few.

All that to say as we move toward the season, we'll release rosters and weekly recaps and other sports information beginning the first week of the season, March 14, 2025.

Here is schedule information for Week 1:

DAY/DATE	TEAMS	STADIUM	NETWORK	TIME (ET)
Fri. March 14	Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit	Shell Energy Stadium	NWSL+	8 p.m.
Fri. March 14	Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Stars FC	Inter&Co Stadium	Prime Video	8 p.m.
Sat. March 15	Kansas City Current vs. Portland Thorns FC	CPKC Stadium	ABC	12:45 p.m.
Sat. March 15	Racing Louisville FC vs. NC Courage	Lynn Family Stadium	NWSL+	5 p.m.
Sat. March 15	Utah Royals FC vs. Bay FC	America First Field	ION	7:30 p.m.
Sat. March 15	Seattle Reign FC vs. Gotham FC	Lumen Field	ION	10 p.m.
Sun. March 16	Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave FC	BMO Stadium	ESPN 2	6:50 p.m.