The National Women’s Soccer League was founded in 2012 and is one of the fastest-rising women’s leagues in the world. Most American players feature in the league and is a natural step to the development of the country’s footballers. During its formation, it had eight teams and has risen to 14, with the latest expansion team being Bay FC. So, how many teams are the NWSL?
NWSL Teams
As of the 2024 season, there are 14 teams in the league, each having between 22 and 26 players. How many teams are in the NWSL? These are the clubs and their history.
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Angel City |
Bay FC |
Chicago Red Stars |
Houston Dash |
Kansas City Current |
NJ/NY Gotham FC |
North Carolina |
Orlando Pride |
Portland Thorns FC |
Racing Louisville FC |
San Diego Wave FC |
Seattle Reign FC |
Utah Royals |
Washington Spirit |
Angel City
Angel City is one of the newest teams in the league, founded in 2020 and led by Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman. Other investors include Serena Williams, Eva Longoria and Uzo Aduba. The team’s official colors and armor, asphalt, and a pink-tinted hue called sol rosa. Angel City plays its home games at the BMO Stadium, which has a stadium capacity, 22,000. Its head coach is Becki Tweed.
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Bay FC
This is the newest team in the league. It was awarded an expansion slot in 2023 worth around $53 million. The club brought in renowned names in the game from Asisat Oshoala, Jane Beattie, Deyna Castellanos and the most expensive women’s footballer in the world, Racheal Kundananji. Bay plays its home games at PayPal Park has a capacity of 18,000. Albert Montoya is the first coach of the club.
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Chicago Red Stars
The club is one of the longest-running outfits in the league. It was founded in 2006 and was part of the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league that folded in 2012. The stars in the badge reference the flag of Chicago. It plays its home games at the SeatGeek Stadium with a capacity of 20,000. Laura Rickets is its major owner.
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Houston Dash
The Dash was started in 2013 and is owned by Ted Segal. Its kit colors are orange, sky blue and black and the Dash is a tribute to the speed of a horse. It plays its home games at the Shell Energy Stadium that sits 21,000 fans. The team’s head coach is Fran Alonso, who previously coached the Scottish Women’s Premier League. Some of its previous coaches include Randy Waldrum, Vera Pauw and Jamie Clarkson.
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Kansas City Current
Kansas City Current, previously Kansas City, is another NWSL team. The Kansas City ceased operations in 2017 after the league acquired it from its owner, Elam Baer, because of mismanagement and absenteeism. Shortly after, it terminated the team. In 2020, the Kansas City Current was founded and plays its matches at the CPKC Stadium. Former American head coach Vlatko Andonovski is the head coach.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
Formerly known as Sky Blue, the team was founded in 2006 and competed in the USL W-League. It’s a founding member of the NWSL and changed its name to NJ/NY Gotham FC. If you want to watch its games, head over to the Red Bull Arena. Juan Carlos Amoros coaches the team. Some of its popular players include Emily Sonnett, Lynn Williams, Crystal Dunn and Margaret Purce.
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North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a two-time NWSL champion. They were winners of the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The team was founded in 2017 and is trained by Sean Nahas. Its former head coach Paul Riley was accused of sexual misconduct. It plays its home game at WakeMed Soccer Park Cary and has a capacity of 10,000. Denis O’Sullivan is the captain.
Orlando Pride
The Orlando Pride entered the NWSL in 2016. Alex Morgan and Kaylyn Kyle were the first were the first acquisitions of the team. It was founded in 2015 and plays its home games at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. The name reflects their love for the city. The current head coach is Seb Hines.
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Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns has won the most championships with three. It’s one of the earliest teams in the NWSL, having joined the league in 2013. It came third in the NWSL in the first season and won the NWSL Shield in 2016. Six years later, Portland won three titles: the NWSL Challenge Cup, the NWSL Shield and the Women’s International Championship Cup. The team plays its home matches at Providence Park, Oregon. The head coach is Rob Gale.
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Racing Louisville FC
The team has been in the league since 2019, playing its games in the Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville. The Soccer Holding LLC is the owner of Racing Louisville. American designer Matthew Wolff designed crest. Its head coach is Bec Yanez. Some of its players are Uchenna Kanu, Milly Clegg and Arby Erceg.
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San Diego Wave FC
San Diego Wave FC was a 2022 expansion team. A year after it joined the league, it won the NWSL Shield and added its second trophy in 2024, the NWSL Challenge Cup. Since the disbandment of the San Diego Spirit in 2003, this is the city’s first professional women’s team.
The President of the team former United States Women’s National Team Jill Ellis. Its head coach is Paul Buckle. Some of its players include Naomi Girma, Emily van Egmond, Alex Morgan and Danielle Colaprico.
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Seattle Reign
Seattle Reign is one of the founding members of the NWSL. The ownership changed hands in 2024. Private equity firm The Carlyle Group and MLS team the Seattle Sounders. Previously Olympic Lyonnaise’s parent company OL Groupe was the majority owner.
The team plays its home games at the Lumen Field and is coached by Laura Harvey. Some of its players are Jess Fishlock, Alana Cook, and Ji-So Yun.
Utah Royals
Formerly the Utah Royals FC, the team was founded in 2017 and is based in Salt Lake City. The owners are Ryan Smith and David Blitzer. Its interim coach is Jimmy Coenraets. Former American player Amy Rodriguez was the franchise’s first head coach but was fired in 2024. The team players its home games at the America First Field.
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Washington Spirit
How many teams are in the NWSL? The Washington Spirit established themselves in 2012 and took over the D.C. team. United Women’s team that folded after the W-League ended. You can watch the team’s home matches at the Audi Field in Washington, DC. Its head coach is Jonatan Giraldez, Barcelona Femeni’s former head coach who led them to a treble. Some of its players include Andi Sullivan, Esme Morgan, and Trinity Rodman.
Frequently asked questions
- Is NWSL more popular than the MLS? Both leagues are increasingly growing. The MLS attracted about 10 million fans in 2022 and the NWSL for the first time crossed the 1 million mark.
- What celebrities own a team on the NWSL? Patrick Mahomes, Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, Natalie Portman, and Kevin Durant.
- Who is the best NWSL player? Brazilian player Kerolin was the most valuable player of the 2023 season.
- Which NWSL team has the most fans? In 2023, the San Diego Wave FC posted the highest attendance in the regular season, with an average of 20,718 and a total of 227,893.
- What team has won the most NWSL Championships? The Portland Thorns FC has won three titles.
How many teams are in the NWSL in 2024? 14 teams and we have delved deep into each team, its history and current situation. America has been one of the leading countries in women’s football and the NWSL is growing from strength to strength. Do you watch the NWSL? Who is your best player and team? Share your thoughts below.
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