The 2025 NWSL season is back! On Friday, the Orlando Pride’s title defense officially commenced, and they showed their dominance by handily defeating the Chicago Red Stars, 6-0. In front of a record-breaking crowd, the Pride’s six goals tied a club record. “I think scoring goals is usually the last thing to come as we’re going through preseason,” Pride midfielder Haley McCutcheon said. “So to get a six right off the bat is really good to kind of get in a flow.”
For every NWSL team, the offseason was filled with big roster moves, which will be on full display as teams begin regular season play. The league as a whole has also undergone change, largely due to a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) last August that’s bound to reshape the NWSL for years to come.
Impact of League Changes
The new CBA will eliminate drafts across the league, including the college draft and the expansion draft previously used to fill rosters for new teams. Instead of being selected by a team using the traditional draft-pick system, players can sign where they want upon joining the league. Under the agreement, athletes who are at the end of their contract will also become free agents and can sign wherever they want, as opposed to being traded to another team.
These changes will affect the relationship between players and teams, pushing teams to invest and market themselves to capture the interest and talent of players. Athletes have a variety of considerations when it comes to what team they want to join, from training and injury prevention staff to robust player development programs.
“You have to meet players where they're at, and you've got to do your research on what are the things that matter most to athletes,” said Haley Carter, Orlando Pride’s sport director and VP of soccer operations, in response to attracting free agents under the new CBA. "Holistically for the league…it really sort of forces everyone to…make sure [they’re] investing in player support and their experience and what that’s like on and off the field."
“We will continue to do the work necessary to maintain the trust of our players and build an ecosystem where the best in the world want to come.”
The abolition of the college draft is also impacting teams across the league. Last season, the Washington Spirit drafted midfielder Croix Bethune from the University of Georgia with the 3rd overall pick. Despite an injury that cut her season short, Bethune made an immediate impact and earned Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year.
This year’s class of rookies will be the first to enter the league through signing with teams. Many players expressed appreciation for the increased autonomy that the elimination of the draft gave them. “I think it definitely benefited me in a lot of ways, because I'm such a comfortable person in knowing that I could go into an environment before I choose the team,” Bay FC’s Taylor Huff said.
The elimination of the college draft and changes to free agency give greater power to athletes about where they want to live and play. Players can VOICE their biggest priorities at the negotiating table and choose the environment best fit for their professional and personal ambitions.
Looking ahead
Like many other professional women's sports, the NWSL has grown tremendously in the past year. But despite its success, there have been some challenges. In February, the league reached a settlement over a years-long abuse scandal. Players spoke out in 2021 about sexual misconduct and emotional abuse by coaches across the league.
The settlement created a $5 million restitution fund for players who experienced abuse. In addition, the league was responsible for implementing a set of reforms to prevent future abuse, including free and unlimited counseling, vetting of team personnel, and processes for players to report abuse. “This settlement sends a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated and ensures players receive the compensation and protections they deserve,” New York Attorney General, Letitia James, said.
The NWSL’s monumental growth is exciting to watch, but the sustainability of the league’s rise will hinge on its efforts that enable players to feel like they can play and grow in a safe environment. “We will continue to do the work necessary to maintain the trust of our players and build an ecosystem where the best in the world want to come,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said.
As the new season kicks off, the league’s newest faces will take the field for a team they had a greater say in joining. The reforms that emerged from February’s settlement aim to foster an environment that allows players to thrive on and off the field. The NWSL has been a hub of excitement and development, with offseason changes laying the foundations for what fans, executives, and players hope to be another stellar year.
