NWSL Season Preview 2023: 10 newcomers to watch
7. Uchenna Kanu
It is clear what Racing Louisville has been out to accomplish. With eight total international spots at their disposal, Kim Bjorkegren has been on a mission to secure some of the best talent from around the world. On the first day of February, Racing made a splash. In a deal that sent their promising young midfielder Riley Parker on loan, and $150,000 fee to Tigres, Bjorkegren added Nigerian international star forward Uchenna Kanu.
It was the largest transfer between an NWSL and Liga MX Femenil side. The 25-year-old striker will now be the new focal point of Racing’s attack alongside mainstays like Nadia Nadim and Jessica McDonald. The Nigerian joined Tigres in 2022 and netted 24 goals in just 30 games in all competitions for Las Amazonas. The Southeastern University alumnus played in three different countries before signing a two-year contract with Racing.
USWNT fans remember her from the friendly last September when she scored a stunner to knot the game at one all just after halftime. Her goal-scoring records throughout her professional career speak for themselves. Kanu is a difference-maker. The only question is if she can ignite Racing to the postseason for the first time in the club’s history.
6. Gabrielle Carle
Considering the offseason that Washington Spirit had, it was no secret they were slim in the backline. The Spirit dealt Emily Sonnet to OL Reign, and let Kelley O’Hara walk in free agency. With that, Mark Parsons is going to be reliant on a lot of new names. The 24-year-old Canadian international Gabrielle Carle is a name NWSL fans should get themselves familiar with. With O’Hara gone, and Carle’s familiarity playing out wide, the Quebec native could very well be the starting left-back for the Spirit in 2023.
The Florida State alumnus has experience at nearly every level of international soccer. She was a part of the Canadian World Cup roster in 2019 and even saw the field in the final 45 minutes against Japan in the recent SheBelieves Cup last month. Carle most recently played her club soccer in the Swedish top-flight with Kristianstad, starting in every match in which she played, netting two goals to go along with an assist. She is that immediate solution that the Spirit needed. Given the fact that the Spirit struggled in the wide areas across the backline, this is a player that is going to see significant time there.
5. Julia Bianchi
After nearly a decade of consistency at the heart of the Red Stars formation, Chicago is finally turning the page. Losing three top-class midfielders to free agency left a mammoth gap for Michelle Lomnicki to deal with during her first offseason as the full-time general manager. What better way to address it than securing an experienced international player that has been one of the most feared defensive midfielders in the Brazilian top flight? Julia Bianchi signed on a two-year deal after spending the last two seasons with Palmeiras in Brasileirao Feminino.
With just five midfielders listed on the roster currently, a dose of experience against the best of the best is essential. Bianchi started in Brazil’s first SheBelieves Cup match last month against Japan, helping Sundhage’s side secure their only win of the tournament. In last season’s edition of the SheBelieves Cup, Bianchi netted a right-footed screamer against Canada just before halftime.
Her versatility in the middle of the pitch on both ends of the field gives the Red Stars a player they can rebuild their midfield around. If Chicago wants to make the postseason, Bianchi is going to be one of the keys. Brazil’s No. 15 is a unique talent with top-class defensive attributes. In a season that looks to be a bridge year, Bianchi is a spark of positivity going forward.