NWSL kicks off its 2025 season Friday. Here are the top early games to watch
The NWSL kicks off its 13th regular season Friday, hoping to build off of last year's enthralling campaign.
While the playoffs may be a few months down the road, a league famed for being competitive from top to bottom gives teams no time to settle in.
Last year was a perfect example: the Orlando Pride had one of the great regular seasons in NWSL history, but were nonetheless pursued closely by the Washington Spirit, the Kansas City Current, and NJ/NY Gotham FC. Meanwhile, the battle for the final playoff spots was just as tense, and in previous years that chase has come down to a tiebreaker.
All of which is to say that games in March and April are still critical, and a league-wide dispersal of elite talent means that even your supposed "struggling" teams can call on U.S. women's national team and international stars. There is no such thing as a down week in the NWSL.
Here's what to know about some of the top early games to put on your calendar as the 2025 NWSL season gets underway:
NWSL 2025: Five must-watch early season games
Friday, March 14: Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Stars FC
The NWSL isn't asking fans to wait beyond opening day for an intriguing matchup, with defending champion Orlando hosting a Chicago team making its formal debut under a new name after over a decade as the Red Stars.
The Pride enjoyed a magical 2024, with world-class striker Barbra Banda and legendary playmaker Marta providing the goals. However, Orlando's biggest strength is its defensive organization and ability to deny opponents the chance to do whatever they do best. The Pride put a star on their jersey after winning it all for the first time, and will want to prove last year wasn't just a flash in the pan.
For the Stars, a return to the postseason in 2024 after some tough times marked a serious step forward. However, with USWNT attacker Mallory Swanson out for personal reasons and injuries to key defenders Sam Staab and Natalia Kuikka, head coach Lorne Donaldson will have some difficult puzzles to solve in the early weeks of 2025. Frustrating Orlando would be a massive boost, with goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher likely needing to be at her best.
Watch Orlando vs. Chicago on Prime Video
Sunday, March 16: Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave
A regional rivalry featuring two of the most well-supported clubs in the NWSL will be an early test of how much progress each club has made, particularly after disappointing performances in 2024.
Angel City appointed longtime NWSL coach Mark Parsons as its new general manager in January, but the wait at that level has slowed a head coaching search that won't likely be settled until this summer. Veteran forwards Christen Press and Sydney Leroux will be critical, as will sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson.
San Diego, meanwhile, hired former Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall, but face major questions after USWNT players Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw left this winter. Throw in Alex Morgan's retirement last September and unresolved off-field allegations against multiple front-office members, and the Wave badly need players like Delphine Cascarino and María Sánchez to lead the team to a positive start to 2025.
Catch Angel City vs. San Diego on ESPN+
Saturday, March 22: Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current
It's no stretch to call this early-season meeting at Audi Field a potential championship preview, with two of the NWSL's most ambitious and talented clubs meeting in the District.
The Spirit may only have USWNT star Trinity Rodman available for limited minutes, and have questions hanging over starting attackers Croix Bethune (the 2024 Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year) and Ouleymata Sarr. However, despite having 11 players miss last weekend's Challenge Cup with various injuries, Washington knocked off Orlando on penalties, underlining the strength in depth head coach Jonatan Giráldez can call upon.
The Current, meanwhile, will want to prove that a semifinal exit in 2024 — a campaign where Kansas City was by some distance the most statistically dominant team in the NWSL — was bad luck rather than the club's ceiling. Former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski may face questions on the defensive side, but with reigning MVP Temwa Chawinga leading a dynamite attack, this game may feature fireworks.
Watch Spirit vs. Current on Fubo
Friday, April 11: Utah Royals FC vs. Portland Thorns FC
This game could be a real litmus test for two teams seemingly headed in different directions. Utah missed the playoffs last season as an expansion team, but summer additions like Japan striker Mina Tanaka have given USWNT prospect Ally Sentnor some support after a miserable 2W-1D-11L start to 2024. A busy winter transfer window could see the Royals take another step forward.
The Thorns, on the other hand, are looking for answers. Key veterans like Christine Sinclair and Becky Sauerbrunn retired this winter, and USWNT striker Sophia Wilson will miss the season while pregnant with her first child. Defensive issues plagued Portland throughout 2024, and multiple players picked up season-ending injuries in the preseason. All of that adds up to a suspicion that the Thorns could miss the postseason for the first time in a decade.
Watch Royals vs. Thorns on Prime Video
Sunday, April 13: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. North Carolina Courage
There are arguably no other NWSL teams more defined by a style of play than Gotham and the Courage. The Bats are characterized by a high-pressing system without the ball, whereas North Carolina's hallmark is a dedication to disorganizing foes with possession and intelligent movement.
It's a classic "styles make fights" pairing, in other words. Shaw's move from San Diego to North Carolina could be a game-changer, while Gotham will be looking for some players to step up after seeing Crystal Dunn and Yazmeen Ryan both depart this winter.
Watch Gotham vs. Courage on Paramount+
NWSL 2025: How to watch women's soccer, TV channels, live streams
The NWSL can be watched across several platforms in 2025. Prime Video will carry a weekly match on Friday nights, while the Ion Network will air Saturday night doubleheaders throughout the season. CBS and CBS Sports Network will also carry games throughout the season (with streams on Paramount+), as will the ABC/ESPN family of networks (with ESPN+ the streaming platform).
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