Exploring the NWSL's Expansion and Key League Highlights

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00:00Let's start at the beginning tell me for the the fans out there that are new to the women's game new to this league

00:06Can you please tell us a little bit of the backstory of the league how it has come to be what it is today?

00:11Yeah, absolutely. So for those who don't know the NWSL was established in

00:172012 we currently have 14 active teams and I'm super pumped to announce that we have two teams on the way

00:25They're gonna be coming out actively playing in

00:282026 we have a team in Denver, Colorado and we have a team in Boston

00:33So I'm super duper hyped about that coming up before we continue Camila. I need to know which is your team

00:40What colors do you represent? Because I know that you are wearing that amazing vintage, Mexico

00:45Jacket and we'll talk about the Nations Cup later on a little bit. But who's your team? Who's your team?

00:50What do you represent being an LA native? I have to have to have to go with ACFC. There's no other option for me

00:57I mean, I know there's not being just

00:59Roses and dailies for them

01:01It's been a couple of years of a lot of development and growth and the team has not become

01:06The protagonist if you will that others expected them to be just like LAFC

01:11Which is a comparison that people do that shouldn't happen. But tell me who are the main teams?

01:16Who are those who are really setting the standard in the NWSL?

01:20I mean coming off from an in crazy season with a great championship. We have of course

01:25Orlando pride that's a top team hands-down historically

01:29We have Washington Spirit which unfortunately lost to them and the championship game you have Portland Thorns

01:36ACFC which I think with the new coach this year is gonna be upcoming and developing but those are the top three

01:41I would keep an eye out for so Camila tell me

01:44Who are the players that people might not know and they have to keep an eye on you got to keep an eye on?

01:49Chawinga she had 21 goals. She's coming off from an insane season

01:53I mean, that's got to be for me my number one player this upcoming season

01:57I can't wait to see what she does. You have Banda with 17 goals. You have the Queen icon Sophia Smith

02:05She was coming off with 12 goals. And like you said Marta the icon with 11

02:10I mean every season is she just gonna be the same she can be consistently great

02:14So in terms of development, what are the highlights that happened this offseason that promised these to be one of the best seasons ever?

02:21for the league

02:222024 was an insane season for engagement. We saw a 47% increase in just match

02:31Attack when we redo it

02:332024 was truly an incredible season for the NWSL. We saw a

02:3847% increase in match attendance and we saw a

02:43258% increase and just viewership overall like broadcasting

02:48and so I just think the energy that is coming into this league is gonna be

02:52Unparalleled and it's something you just have to be a part of so Camilla the games have started this weekend

02:58Which are the most watch games that we have to be tuning into this weekend the two must watch games the season kickoff

03:05We're gonna start Friday March 14. We have Orlando pride versus Chicago Red Star

03:10Houston dash versus Washington spirit

03:13Two great games Orlando pride and Washington spirit were the two finalists in the NWSL championship

03:20So they're gonna have something to prove and yeah, it's gonna be a great game