Time to get into the nitty-gritty. It is not as enthralling as a 90-minute match in this league. To be realistic, not much is. What transpires over the next few months could get pretty close. Make sure you put your seat belt on. It's bound to be a ride to remember. What your team looks like now may be completely different than the one that is preparing for league play in 2024. Well, not may, it will. Whether that be on the field or in the leadership roles on the sidelines.
There is less than one month until the expansion draft takes place live on CBS Sports Network. It has only been weeks since the final whistle of the NWSL Championship sounded, but the chaos has not taken a break. That noise is only going to continue. Bay FC have signed two top-class defensive-minded players while Utah has brought in five recruits at the time of writing.
We have already seen every side make its respective roster announcements in addition to these new teams making moves via trade. Keep those notifications on, more announcements are on the horizon. With all this build-up, here are four questions we have throughout the league.
4 massive questions we have right now on the NWSL offseason
4. What is Bay FC's next splash going to be?
Sure, Caprice Dydasco and Alex Loera are going to be instrumental in the way Albertin Montoya seeks to play in Bay FC's inaugural campaign. Neither is that "big splash" though. What is a "big splash"? Well, it's more of a feeling. When you open up your phone after a notification and your jaw drops. That's kind of the move we're thinking of.
With the owners that are leading this San Francisco-based team, this club is going to attempt to do what San Diego accomplished in its first season. With even more teams in its way, that mission is going to be that much more challenging.
The Wave obtained two players from the USWNT's 2019 World Cup-winning team ahead of its first campaign. A little over 120 miles north, Angel City brought in Christen Press, an individual who sits in the top 10 in USWNT history in total goals scored during that time. What are BFC going to do? Maybe Loera and Dydasco are that "big splash". Who knows, but I feel like there is more to come other from the northern California side than the players selected on December 15.
3. Is Ashley Hatch the Royals next move via trade despite her contract in Washington?
As of the time of writing, Kelly Cousin's Utah Royals have locked up five players for the upcoming campaign. Two of which have played at Brigham Young University. Now, this is purely speculation, but Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch could be on the Royals' radar.
Given its location, it makes a whole lot of sense that the club is targeting players who once called the state home at some point. Utah is frankly not a very attractive market. While bringing in Mikayla Cluff, and Kaleigh Riehl are impactful moves in their own right, dealing for a former NWSL Golden Boot winner would represent that official, "Utah is back" moment.
Hatch has spoke about the return of the Royals ahead of the USWNT friendly against Colombia.
"I think it's huge. I think Utah is a great state for soccer, especially for youth soccer. I think it's really important for the youth, specifically the female soccer players, to be able to come and watch a professional team in their state, and so I'm really excited to have the Utah Royals back." Ashley HatchThere has been no connection with the new expansion side to the 28-year-old due to Washington Spirit exercising its the 2024 option on the forward. The ex-No. 2 overall selection in the 2017 College Draft looks to be all-in on helping the Spirit bounce back. Why wouldn't she be? Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez are a duo that make her job that much easier.
Football is a business though. If Utah was interested, I don't think there would much of a hesitation from Hatch. With two players already moving back to the state in which they competed collegiately, it is worth asking if there is the potential of another to be added to that list.
2. Where is former Tigres leader Carmelina Moscato going to land?
Outside of all the movement and deals with the expansion sides, there are still four head coaching vacancies in the league right now. Players, picks, and allocation money are great. If you don't have the right leader then what's the point? With Becki Tweed confirming her status with Angel City FC, Chicago, Houston, Washington, and Louisville are the only clubs with a leader for 2024.
Last week Tigres head coach and ex-Canadian international Carmelina Moscato resigned to seek an opportunity north of the border. Moscato helped the club hoist a fifth Liga MX title, only her first trophy since taking the job. The Canadian international competed for three different NWSL clubs before beginning her managerial career with the U15s in her home country.
Other names like former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Hope Powell have been thrown around. At 39 years old, Moscato has coached one year in the Danish Women's League, and one in Liga MX Femenil. Her experience on the pitch makes her relatable, something any club could benefit from.
Though Mark Parsons is younger than Moscato, the ex-Portland Thorns leader never played a single minute of professional football. Maybe she won't land in the NWSL, but if she does, that winning culture she has found elsewhere could very well help revive a club needing a new beginning.
1. How can Karen Leetzow spark the change needed for Chicago?
The process of creating a new inclusive culture in Chicago just experienced a shot in the arm the other week. Though she does not start until December 4, the ex-chief legal officer of the U.S. Soccer Federation Karen Leetzow was announced by the club as the new president. Her resumé is one that speaks for itself. From the outside, it is a slam dunk. A Michael Jordan from the free-throw line type of dunk. Leetzow was instrumental in the equal pay fight for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team while battling against abuse and misconduct across the sport.
Since the day Laura Ricketts and her group bought the Red Stars, they have made it clear, the players deserve much better than what they've got in the past. Leetzow is a step toward that. Before anything was done on the player and coaching side, Ricketts wanted to create a solid foundation off the pitch. While the club was in the midst of its 2023 campaign, it let go of its head coach, and general manager while waiting on someone to swoop in to buy the team. It had to have been a lot for everyone fighting between the white lines.
It is a dawn of a new day in the Windy City. Ricketts and the Red Stars' front office will now turn their eyes to securing a manager to flip the script following a last-place finish. Headed by a new trailblazing woman in the front office, the mission to bring this club back to its consistent ways is underway. The way she plays a role in doing that is something that remains to be seen.
