3 major takeaways from the first week of NWSL matches

The first weekend of NWSL action did not disappoint. From Trinity Rodman to the abundance of rookie standouts, the NWSL is back and better than ever.

The long wait has concluded. The excitement of one of the most competitive soccer leagues in the world is back. From stoppage time equalizers to VAR checks, the opening weekend of the NWSL was packed with everything you could want. Three different games drew in more than 11,000 fans with the league bringing in over 90,000 across all six matches during the weekend. The recognition and appreciation of the women’s game are taking their next step. With the toxicity of former league officials behind them, the NWSL has officially turned the page to a new chapter.

In a league like this, you can hardly ever make predictions. Nobody would have thought that the defending NWSL Shield winners would open their season with a one-goal loss to a team that is projected to finish at the bottom of the table. With the Thorns’ match being the exception, the competitiveness of the league shined through.

Across the league, NWSL teams scatter attendance records demonstrating the growth of the game early in its 11th season.

This is not the Barclays Women’s Super League. The NWSL is 12 teams deep, and the opening weekend of the 2023 season was a perfect example of that. NJ/NY Gotham FC were the only team to have captured all three points away from home over the two days. One of the league’s favorite weekly traditions, “NWSL After Dark” returned in full force. The energy around this league is sky-high at the moment. It is difficult not to smile because this is just the appetizer for what is to come over the next several months. From a chaotic first week in the NWSL, here are the major takeaways in case you missed it.

Takeaways from NWSL week 1: Young players show out throughout the league

Since the league changed the rules surrounding young players, teams have adapted. The first weekend of matches was a celebration of the bright future that lies ahead of this league. Whether it was Jaedyn Shaw netting a rocket from outside the box or Gotham rookie Jenna Nighswonger coming in for Ali Krieger in the first half to make a massive difference on the road, week one was all about the youth. Nighswonger joined the action in just the 10th minute’, and finished with the team’s second-highest shot-creating actions total. Shaw, a predominantly offensive player, showed off her defensive work rate in addition to her show-stopping goal.

Despite the loss to North Carolina, Michelle Cooper was by far Kansas City’s best field player over those 90 minutes. The former Duke attacker collected more shots and shots on target than any other Current player. Her elusiveness with the ball at her feet was also on full display as she showed what she could do with space in front of her.

Cooper was joined by Alexa Spaanstra, and second-round pick Gabrielle Robinson as the three rookies that made it into Matt Potter’s starting XI. Chicago Red Stars forward Penelope Hocking is another rookie to take note of after week one. The Penn State product played all 90 minutes up top alongside Mallory Swanson in her debut.

Above all the rookies, the most talked about has to be Alyssa Thompson of Angel City FC.

Coming out of high school, and being the No. 1 overall selection in January’s draft is quite an accomplishment. Lynn Williams and Gotham FC may have found their way back into the game in the second half, but it is difficult not to appreciate Thompson’s debut goal. She became the fourth youngest player in the history of the league to score a goal.

Just saying it was just a “goal” does not give it its flowers. Thompson received the ball from the wing, cut into the middle, and ripped a shot into a spot where Abby Smith had no chance of saving it. The smile on her face after the goal tells the whole story. This league may be riddled with veterans, but the younger generation is making a name for themselves.