The Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League is embarking on its largest and most vital season up to now. Which may appear to be a daring declare, however a fast look across the league exhibits how a lot the stakes within the 12-year-old NWSL have grown.
Two new growth groups will enter the fray for 2024, bringing the NWSL to a league-high 14 groups. Considered one of them is Bay FC, the brand new Northern California-based group that’s being spearheaded by former U.S. ladies’s nationwide group legend Brandi Chastain, amongst others. The opposite is the Utah Royals — though a group beneath the identical identify beforehand performed within the NWSL earlier than relocating, this iteration is a brand new group sharing co-owners with the likes of the Premier League’s Crystal Palace and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
Two of the league’s founding groups, in the meantime, accomplished gross sales to new homeowners going into this season, eradicating the final high-profile decision-makers to be discovered culpable within the abuse scandal that rocked the league in 2021 and 2022. The Portland Thorns have been bought to the lead buyers of the Sacramento Kings, whereas the Chicago Crimson Stars have been bought to the buyers behind the Chicago Cubs.
On prime of that, when the NWSL’s common seasons begins on Saturday on ABC and ESPN+, that opener would be the debut of a new broadcast deal value a reported $240 million. As such, salaries and switch charges have taken a pointy flip upward headed into this 2024 season.
Bay FC paid almost $800,000 to signal Zambia striker Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF, a world file payment in ladies’s soccer. The Orlando Delight almost matched that three weeks later in signing Zambia’s Barbra Banda. A brand new regular for what NWSL groups are keen to pay is being established in a league that’s shedding its shoestring, penny-pinching previous.
This funding and better spending comes at a time when the NWSL is going through new competitors from different leagues world wide. Contemporary off of the USWNT’s surprising exit on the Ladies’s World Cup final yr, there could also be extra questions than ever concerning the NWSL and whether or not the vast majority of U.S. ladies’s nationwide group gamers ought to proceed competing within the league moderately than going to, say, England’s WSL or Spain’s Liga F.
With the funding that the NWSL is seeing throughout the board and with extra on the best way — commissioner Jessica Berman says the NWSL will develop to 16 groups by 2026 — the NWSL has all of the items in place to carry onto its declare as probably the most aggressive ladies’s soccer league on the earth.
Who might be competing this season, how are groups are one-upping one another and who ought to be thought-about the favourite? We dig into all 14 NWSL groups forward of the brand new season.
-Dwell on ESPN+: NWSL 2024 opener, KC vs. Portland (March 16, 1 p.m. ET)
Greatest offseason strikes: It is all concerning the youth motion in Los Angeles. Okay, fantastic, it isn’t all about that. New addition Messiah Vivid is 24, although she was a rookie final yr. Rocky Rodríguez is 30. However probably the most attention-grabbing offseason strikes got here within the type of youngsters Gisele Thompson and Casey Phair.
At simply 18, the youthful Thompson sister is a promising outdoors again. Phair, for her half, grew to become the youngest participant in Ladies’s World Cup historical past with South Korea final summer season. She’s simply 16. Together with Alyssa Thompson, 19, Angel Metropolis’s kids are value watching.
The massive query going into 2024: Can Alyssa Thompson take the subsequent step? No Angel Metropolis participant scored greater than 4 objectives within the common season final yr, so a ringleader must emerge within the assault. Supervisor Becki Tweed has actual expertise at her disposal. However with Jun Endo out for the yr with an ACL damage and Savannah McCaskill moved on, the provision line into the assault is broken. That is the place Thompson comes into play. Together with her elite velocity and dribbling, the USWNT winger can change video games on her personal. A extra constant Thompson will imply a extra harmful Angel Metropolis.
2024 might be a hit if… they win a playoff sport. It is a easy, never-before-accomplished purpose for Angel Metropolis. Within the membership’s growth season in 2022, they did not make it into the playoff discipline. Final yr, they certified for the postseason, however bowed out to the Reign within the first spherical. The following step for this group, then, is not simply to qualify for the playoffs — that might be a neater feat, anyway, with 57% of the league qualifying within the new format in comparison with 50% final yr.
No, it is to win a playoff sport. — Joseph Lowery
Greatest offseason strikes: Heading into their growth season, Bay FC and normal supervisor Lucy Rushton did not skimp on the assault. Star Nigerian ahead Asisat Oshoala signed from Barcelona. Star ahead Racheal Kundananji joined in a world-record deal, although she lately went down with a knee damage whereas enjoying for Zambia.
No matter Kundananji’s availability, ambition clearly is not going to be a difficulty for one of many league’s two new golf equipment. Anticipate a possession-heavy tactical strategy from supervisor Albertin Montoya that tries to feed his frontline as typically as doable.
The massive query going into 2024: How rapidly does every part gel? It is the obvious query for any growth group, however particularly one that wishes to maintain the ball like Bay FC. Choosing a defense-first strategy is the less complicated path to strong soccer, however Bay are attempting to lift their ceiling with a ball-dominant system.
Alex Loera may have a important function on the base of midfield as she hyperlinks protection to assault. How the opposite 10 gamers round Loera be taught to learn and transfer off one another in possession will outline a lot of 2024 for this membership.
2024 might be a hit if… Bay FC turn into the second membership in NWSL historical past to make the playoffs of their growth season, whereas imposing their very own model of play. Given Rushton’s background in analytics, Bay FC will not decide this season solely based mostly on their qualification for the playoffs. They’re going to take a look at the underlying knowledge to guage how successfully this group of gamers controls video games and out-creates their opponents. Nonetheless, following within the San Diego Wave’s growth footsteps from 2022 by ending above the playoff line feels imminently doable. — Lowery
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Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala seems ahead to new challenges at Bay FC
Bay FC’s new signing Asisat Oshoala discusses what challenges she expects after becoming a member of the NWSL growth group from Barcelona.
Greatest offseason strikes: Beneath new proprietor Laura Ricketts, the Chicago Crimson Stars have a brand new coach in Lorne Donaldson and a brand new normal supervisor in Richard Feuz. Contemporary faces and monetary sources are being put into this membership, which is an efficient signal for followers after Chicago completed dead-last within the NWSL in 2023.
Star USWNT ahead Mallory Swanson is sticking round, too. She signed a record-breaking contract over the offseason and might be itching to go after struggling a long-term knee damage final April.
The massive query going into 2024: Will the protection stabilize? There are many open questions for the Crimson Stars, however the largest one focuses on the protection after Chicago allowed probably the most objectives within the league in 2023. With Tierna Davidson and Casey Krueger gone and Alyssa Naeher struggling in purpose final season, there’s tons of strain on the defensive additions to shore issues up.
Sam Staab, acquired in a commerce with Washington, will spearhead that effort from her heart again spot. Donaldson may even lean in direction of a conservative tactical strategy that ought to present a strong construction for his gamers.
2024 might be a hit if… Swanson stays wholesome and this group hangs close to the playoff line. It is too early within the organizational rebuild for lofty expectations in Chicago. The midfield is mild on top-end expertise and bonds should be made alongside the backline. But when Swanson is on the sector for near a full season, she’ll be an MVP candidate.
With one of many league’s finest purpose scorers knifing by means of opposing defenses, the Crimson Stars could possibly be a risk to complete inside the highest eight after a vastly disappointing 2023. — Lowery
Greatest offseason strikes: Uh, how a lot time do you’ve got? 4 USWNT gamers signed for Gotham in free company: Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett. That is not a nasty solution to observe up being topped NWSL champions on the finish of final season. Between the brand new quartet of nationwide teamers and returning high-level expertise like Lynn Williams, Midge Purce, Esther González, and Jenna Nighswonger, supervisor Juan Carlos Amoros will not be brief on choices.
This membership made an enormous assertion this winter and begins 2024 with equally big expectations.
The massive query going into 2024: How robust are the middle backs? With so many elite attackers, Gotham will rating objectives. The midfield is each extra gifted and extra versatile than it was final yr. The identical is true at each fullback spots. The center of the backline, although, seems just like the weak spot.
Tierna Davidson struggled in Chicago final yr after getting back from damage. Will she be again to her previous self? And is there sufficient expertise subsequent to her? Veteran defender Ali Krieger retired within the offseason. With the deck stacked larger up the sector, being a Gotham heart again will not be the simplest job.
2024 might be a hit if… they repeat as NWSL champions. There isn’t any different acceptable final result for Gotham FC this yr. How may there be? With an overflowing quantity of expertise added to a bunch of returners that was already gaining steam on the finish of final season, they need to anticipate playoff wins. Let’s throw in a first-place common season end, too, whereas we’re at it.
Anticipate a complete lot of enjoyable, brutally efficient, successful soccer from Gotham this yr. — Lowery
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Dunn: Gotham FC dynasty within the NWSL is on the horizon
Crystal Dunn speaks concerning the power of Gotham FC after her transfer to the membership.
Greatest offseason strikes: There is a new supervisor in Houston: Fran Alonso. The 47-year-old Spanish supervisor most lately coached Celtic within the Scottish Ladies’s Premier League. Winger Cece Kizer additionally arrived in a commerce with the Kansas Metropolis Present that despatched Nichelle Prince the opposite manner. Kizer ought to present extra consistency for a Sprint group that desperately wants extra attacking manufacturing. Houston solely scored 13 objectives in open play in the course of the entirety of the 2023 common season, marking one of many worst scoring seasons in league historical past.
The massive query going into 2024: Is María Sánchez elite? The 28-year-old signed the richest contract in league historical past over the offseason — or, no less than it was till Mallory Swanson put pen to paper in Chicago, and different profitable offers rapidly adopted.
Sanchez is clearly a gifted participant. She’s an elite dribbler and has good imaginative and prescient within the closing third. However can she take the Sprint’s assault to the subsequent degree this yr? Sanchez scored simply six mixed objectives within the final two seasons in Houston. Ideally, she’ll get assist from Kizer and Diana Ordoñez. However actually, this needs to be Sanchez’s group.
2024 might be a hit if… they get again to the playoffs. The Houston Sprint have not had a lot playoff success throughout their 10 years within the NWSL. In truth, they’ve solely certified for the postseason as soon as in membership historical past. The squad hasn’t improved sufficient to dream of taking pictures manner up the standings. At minimal, climbing a few spots from their Tenth-place end in 2023 to eighth would give the Sprint an opportunity to tug off an upset or two within the postseason. — Lowery
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María Sánchez main the best way for Mexican ladies’s soccer
María Sánchez says she’s proud to be a frontrunner in encouraging extra Mexican feminine gamers within the NWSL after her record-breaking transfer to Houston Sprint.
Greatest offseason strikes: Vlatko Andonovski’s return to the sidelines in Kansas Metropolis after arising effectively brief with the USWNT ultimately summer season’s World Cup is an enormous deal. His tactical and personnel choices might be scrutinized early and infrequently in 2024.
However you recognize what’s a much bigger deal than a brand new coach? The brand-new CPKC Stadium. The first stadium on the earth constructed for knowledgeable ladies’s sports activities group, the Present’s new residence will welcome a capability crowd of 11,500 for his or her residence opener towards the Portland Thorns on Saturday. This place is now a must-visit soccer spot in the US.
The massive query going into 2024: Can this group keep wholesome? Accidents hit the Kansas Metropolis Present like a truck final season, impacting greater than half the gamers within the squad on the best way to ending solely above the Crimson Stars within the closing standings.
If Debinha stays wholesome and has heat our bodies round her within the assault, nobody will rely out the Present. If not — and if the brand new signings up entrance do not take strain off the protection — they will battle.
2024 might be a hit if… the 2022 vibes are again. The Kansas Metropolis Present do not have to complete atop the NWSL standings for this yr to be a profitable one. But when they will recapture even a few of the vibes from their fifth-place end and run to the championship two years in the past, 2024 might be a smash-hit.
Andonovski should not really feel pressured to reinvent the tactical wheel with this group. Merely maximizing the probabilities for his attackers to run off Debinha and into open house will do fairly properly. — Lowery
Greatest offseason strikes: With star Brazilian ahead Kerolin out with an ACL damage, the Braveness entered the offseason needing to bolster their assault. Enter: Ashley Sanchez. Signed in a commerce with the Washington Spirit, the U.S. worldwide ought to match properly in North Carolina supervisor Sean Nahas’ possession-heavy system, which is able to depend on Sanchez’s creativity to offer an edge within the closing third.
Sanchez wasn’t the one notable transfer for this group, although. With Emily Fox off to Arsenal, North Carolina signed left again Feli Rauch from German giants Wolfsburg.
The massive query going into 2024: Will the entire possession result in possibilities? No group within the NWSL got here near rivaling North Carolina’s passing numbers final yr. They led the league in possession (59.6%), passes per sequence (3.58), and sequences of 10 or extra passes (273), in response to Opta. Nahas needs his group to regulate video games with the ball, however that management finally wants to show into possibilities. The Braveness completed Tenth within the league in anticipated objectives final season. To enhance — and even keep — their third-place end in 2023, the Braveness should be extra incisive.
2024 might be a hit if… the assault begins creating. Casey Murphy is an asset in purpose. Three common starters are again within the line of defense. There’s continuity within the midfield. So make no mistake: the assault will outline North Carolina’s ceiling this yr.
If they will manufacture possibilities even with out Kerolin’s risk, they will haven’t any hassle pushing for a house playoff sport later this season. But when not? Regression is lurking proper across the nook. — Lowery
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Might Emily Fox begin a pattern of USWNT gamers going to Europe?
Jeff Kassouf discusses Emily Fox’s transfer to Arsenal and whether or not it may result in extra USWNT gamers going to Europe.
Greatest offseason strikes: The Delight signed various gamers this offseason to bolster final yr’s younger, aspirational roster that fell simply wanting the playoffs on purpose differential. Notable additions embrace thrilling Brazilian abilities to enrich those already in home — particularly Angelina from the Seattle Reign and Luana from Corinthians. However no larger offseason transfer outshines the acquisition of Zambian ahead Barbra Banda, signed from Shanghai Shengli FC within the Chinese language Ladies’s Tremendous League, for a whopping $740,000 greenback switch payment — the second-highest switch signing in ladies’s soccer historical past.
Turning simply 24 this March, Banda has excelled as a goalscorer at each the membership and worldwide degree, and might be anticipated so as to add dynamism to Orlando’s attacking line.
The massive query going into 2024: Have they got the health and suppleness to compete? There’s a robust returning core to the Delight, who’ve nonetheless appeared within the playoffs simply as soon as in program historical past. That features the management of Brazilian legend, Marta, whose value ethic and expertise ought to be anticipated to assist form a still-young group. However current accidents (Rafaelle Souza and Simone Charley) convey to mild line-up questions for a group with aggressive depth that can want flexibility and flexibility — each of their personnel in addition to ways — to realize success this season.
2024 might be a hit if… they begin robust and do not drop simple factors alongside the best way. Now getting into his second full-season in control of Orlando, supervisor Seb Hines has emphasised the necessity to begin robust, as 2023 started with four-straight losses that bit them ultimately final season.
Orlando additionally collected 10 wins in 2023 — tied for second-highest within the league — and beat top-of-the-table groups, however dropped factors in winnable matches, coming away with just one draw and 11 losses, the third most within the league. — Megan Swanick
Greatest offseason strikes: Portland bid farewell to USWNT star Crystal Dunn, who signed for her hometown membership Gotham FC as a free agent. Whereas Dunn might be missed, the Thorns did convey again two different membership legends in Christine Sinclair — the NWSL’s second all-time main goalscorer — and Becky Sauerbrunn, who convey veteran off-field dynamism to a younger roster. However the largest addition in Portland is Canada‘s newly put in captain, Jessie Fleming, who joins from English juggernauts Chelsea. Fleming, 26, brings a great deal of expertise to a younger, dynamic midfield that features two thrilling U.S. internationals in 18-year-old Olivia Moultrie and 25-year-old Sam Coffey.
The massive query going into 2024: Can the youths take it to the subsequent degree? Portland are a constantly robust group and, outfitted with new possession, might be anticipated to problem once more on the prime of the desk in a aggressive league constructed on parity. However with Dunn gone and different veterans returning on brief contracts, 2024 is the time for gamers like 2023 NWSL Golden Boot winner and USWNT star Sophia Smith, Morgan Weaver, Coffey and even Moultrie to take extra vocal veteran roles and push towards ever-higher ranges.
2024 might be a hit if… Smith and Weaver mix for attacking dominance, and gamers use the league as a proving floor. There’s plenty of nationwide group expertise right here that has one thing to show in an Olympic season — that features, however is not restricted to, the U.S. nationwide group. With Coffey and Moultrie vying for U.S. roster spots after a robust W Gold Cup, and Smith seeking to reclaim her main function, 2024 might be a hit in the event that they tear into the NWSL understanding that incoming USWNT supervisor Emma Hayes is watching. —
Swanick
Greatest offseason strikes: Maybe Louisville’s largest offseason transfer wasn’t a participant acquisition, however signing Bev Yanez as their head coach. Yanez shifts into the highest place after a yr as assistant for Racing, and earlier than that she was an as assistant coach with Gotham. Yanez, who performed within the NWSL for a number of seasons, principally with Seattle, has a robust tactical imaginative and prescient, hoping to convey a extra possession-based model of soccer to Kentucky.
On the participant entrance, Racing Louisville signed the 6-foot-1 dynamic midfielder, Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck), who left the NWSL Protect-winning San Diego Wave.
The massive query going into 2024: Can they hold constructing their id, and keep on with it as the tough realities of the ultra-competitive NWSL take maintain? Yanez has referred to as Louisville “a piece in progress” this offseason, however appears to imagine the one factor that has began to come back collectively is the group’s id, which she described as, “bravery and wanting the ball and eager to be part of the motion.” Sticking with that and executing would be the troublesome half.
2024 might be a hit if… Louisville attain the playoffs. Getting into their fourth season in NWSL, Racing have but to make the playoffs, however with the gamers they’ve returning, like sensational playmaker Savannah DeMelo, it feels just like the time has come. Yanez will lean on returning gamers with rising expertise like DeMelo, Carson Pickett, and Ary Borges, together with Flint, to information the remainder of the group, together with rookie ahead Reilyn Turner, who joins from UCLA. — Swanick
Greatest offseason strikes: Fewer groups are in a much bigger second of transition than the Seattle Reign, who this season will return to their authentic identify. (The mother or father group of Olympique Lyon purchased the group and renamed it “OL Reign” in 2020, however are within the means of reselling to native homeowners.) For the primary full season since Reign began play in 2013, membership legend Megan Rapinoe is not going to be on the roster after her retirement.
Returning supervisor Laura Harvey has different beginning line-up holes to fill with a pair of USWNT stars, midfielder Rose Lavelle and defender/midfielder Emily Sonnett, each signing for Gotham in free company.
The massive query going into 2024: Will the continuity of Harvey, three-time Coach of the 12 months, be sufficient to stabilize the three-time NWSL Protect winners in a time of huge change? Harvey may have Reign veterans by her facet, like Lauren Barnes and Jess Fishlock, who’s joined by a rising Welsh contingent within the offseason, as midfielder Angharad James and defender Lily Woodham be part of ranks. But it surely’s unclear how the newcomers, together with South Korean midfielder Ji So-Yun from Suwon FC, will do in Seattle, and it is as much as Harvey to make it work.
2024 might be a hit if… Harvey can turn into the primary coach in NWSL historical past to succeed in 200 matches as head gaffer. If anyone is aware of how one can final and succeed on this chaotic league, it is Harvey, however this might be a difficult season with the high-profile exits the group has had. Due to this fact, this marketing campaign might be a hit if the youth expertise that Harvey has been growing for years delivers for her and emerge alongside the membership’s skilled abilities, equivalent to Jordyn Huitema, Sofia Huerta and Veronica Latsko. — Swanick
Greatest offseason strikes: Regardless of sending Taylor Kornieck (nee Flint) to Racing Louisville, the reigning NWSL Protect successful squad is kind of intact this season. Bolstering an already robust squad, the Wave has introduced in Savannah McCaskill from SoCal rivals Angel Metropolis FC in free company, in addition to a pair of rising worldwide abilities in Australian full-back Kaitlyn Torpey and Swedish defender Hanna Lundkvist.
The massive query going into 2024: Is that this Jaedyn Shaw‘s MVP season? At 19, Shaw has already turn into the Wave’s artistic pressure and he or she’s coming into the brand new season in-form after successful the Golden Ball on the Concacaf W Gold Cup, which the USWNT received. A key participant for the Wave after a 2023 season that noticed her combining effectively with veteran striker Alex Morgan, Shaw could possibly be on a shortlist for MVP shouts within the coming season, making a large third-year influence as she works with coach Casey Stoney to refine her already dynamic abilities.
2024 might be a hit if… the Wave can construct on their common season success of 2023 and attain the NWSL Championship in 2024. The Wave have been one of the best group of the common season final yr, however their consistency took a flip once they have been knocked out within the semifinals of the NWSL playoffs. The purpose for 2024, then, ought to be to make it that one step additional.
To that finish, the Wave must hold their squad wholesome and develop their new, younger signings into dependable starters. With an extended season in an expanded league, the Wave will should be cautious of fatigue as a big portion of their beginning line-up experiences for nationwide responsibility for a number of international locations. — Swanick
Greatest offseason strikes: As one in all 2024’s two growth groups, Utah Royals head into the season with an thrilling mixture of NWSL veterans and new arrivals. Whereas their growth facet compatriots, Bay FC, approached 2024 with a collection of landmark, marquee signings, the Royals opted for a extra conservative construct as they signed skilled NWSL gamers like Utah native and ahead Michele Vasconcelos from Gotham FC, former Louisville ahead Paige Monaghan, Orlando Delight midfielder Mikayla Cluff, Gotham defender Imani Dorsey, and Gotham ahead Ify Onumonu.
Among the many group’s new arrivals to the NWSL, probably the most intriguing is the No. 1 general choose within the 2024 NWSL school draft, 20-year-old ahead, Ally Sentnor, who performed her collegiate profession at North Carolina.
The massive query going into 2024: How rapidly can all of it come collectively? The Royals might be led by player-turned supervisor Amy Rodriguez, who’s making her skilled head teaching debut. Whereas she’ll be hoping the NWSL veterans coming in can prepared the ground, the Royals are additionally including some gamers to the league, together with Swedish midfielder Agnes Nyberg and Dutch midfielder Dana Foederer, together with Sentnor. The Royals’ first yr again will rely on how rapidly these gamers get comfy with one another and with Rodriguez’s tactical strategy.
2024 might be a hit if… they appear like they belong. Making the NWSL playoffs as an growth group isn’t simple, and for the Royals the measure of success could also be extra about enjoying respectable soccer moderately than hitting a sure spot on the desk. — Swanick
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NWSL commissioner plans to develop to 16 groups by 2026
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman speaks to Seb Salazar about extending the league’s variety of collaborating groups to 16 by 2026.
Greatest offseason strikes: After a disappointing finish to 2023, the Spirit rapidly turned within the offseason to changing supervisor Mark Parsons with FC Barcelona‘s well-decorated supervisor Jonatan Giráldez, who will take up the reins on the finish of Barcelona’s season. Though not a former participant, Giráldez is perhaps the most important offseason signing within the league with a adorned resume that features a UEFA Champions League title and two Liga F league titles. Whereas his addition speaks to the Spirit’s want to play stunning, possession-based soccer, he will not be right here till this summer season and Spanish supervisor Adrián González will lead within the interim.
The massive query going into 2024: Will the midseason arrival of Giráldez in the end assist or harm their 2024 ambitions? Giráldez might very effectively be well worth the wait, however the timing may show a bit disorienting. Add within the distinction in types Giráldez will encounter when he leaves the technical, possession-based Spanish league for the quicker, extra transitional NWSL, and the Spirit are putting an enormous guess on a succession plan that’s not a positive factor.
2024 might be a hit if… they attain the playoffs. The Spirit have been simply among the many most gifted groups to overlook final yr’s playoffs. Whereas they despatched midfielder Ashley Sanchez to the Braveness and Sam Staab to the Crimson Stars, lots of the Spirit’s key gamers are returning, together with striker and 2021 Golden Boot winner Ashley Hatch. Additionally they add some thrilling additions, together with veteran defender Casey Krueger and 6 first-year signings. They’re going to want the veterans to execute like they did final season, whereas guiding an enormous rookie class into the league as they evolve into the Giráldez period. Crew proprietor Michele Kang, nevertheless, has made it clear she has excessive expectations. — Swanick