The 2024 American women’s soccer season promises plenty of intrigue – both in the NWSL and its new rival, the USL Super League
The12th season of America’s National Women’s Soccer League kicks off on March 16 bolstered by further expansion, a record-breaking TV deal and increasing evidence that it can withstand the challenge from Europe.
Yet despite the excitement of new clubs, players, coaches and owners, there is also, thanks to the unique structure of US professional sports, a new league on the horizon. The USL Super League, which has been granted the same top-tier status as the NWSL, launches later this year. How it will affect the US women’s soccer landscape is anyone’s guess.
NWSL has geared up to meet the twin threat from across the Atlantic and within its own shores by using the staggering new $240 million four-year TV deal (a huge increase on the previous $4.5m three-year one) to double the salary cap. Coupled with an increase in free agents, this has led to significant off-season transfer activity headlined by expansion club Bay FC shattering the world transfer record to sign 23-year-old Zambia striker Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF for €735,000 plus a potential €75,000 in add-ons. Alongside the acquisitions of Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona and Venezuala forward Deyna Castellanos (Manchester City), the league’s newest club instantly has the most eye-catching attack in the league, with Mexico’s Scarlett Camberos (Angel City) and Ghana’s Princess Marfo (Nordsjaelland) in support. It is not just about attack. Bay FC have also recruited Scottish veteran Jen Beattie from Arsenal and two-time NWSL winner Emily Menges from Portland Thorns to strengthen the defence. will play in San Jose, California for at least their first five seasons – intend to make as much of a splash as 2023 newcomers San Diego Wave who won the regular season Shield. Cuban-born coach Albertin Montoya, a veteran of the US scene and well respected locally but with limited experience at senior level, is the inaugural coach.
The other new club are a returning old one, Utah Royals, whose franchise closed in 2020 after an ownership scandal with the squad transferred to the reborn Kansas City. Former player Amy Rodriguez, a World Cup winner in 2015, will coach the team in her first senior role. After another high-turnover winter there are six other new coaches, including Jonatan Giraldez joining Washington Spirit from Barcelona, fellow Spaniard Fran Alonso (ex-Celtic) at Houston Dash, former US head coach Vlatko Andonovski back at Kansas City, and ex-Jamaica boss Lorne Donaldson at Chicago Red Stars.
Bay FC shattered the world transfer record to sign 23-year -old Zambia striker Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF
Utah have been more conservative in filli
