The National Women's Soccer League
NWSL 2020
The NWSL consisted of nine teams, also referred to as clubs (Exhibit 5). Of its 214 players, 23 were
allocated from the USWNT and nine from the Canadian Soccer Association. (In 2017, the Mexican
Football Federation began its own league, one year after it stopped allocating players to the NWSL).
Players were represented by the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA). Formed in 2017 and granted
union status in 2018, the NWSLPA represented the interests of all non-allocated players – those who
were not members of the USWNT or CSA. Union status provided the NWSLPA with legal rights in
pursuit of improved labor conditions, among other guarantees and protections.
Exhibit 5 NWSL Teams 2020
| Teams | Founded | Joined | Stadium Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Red Stars |
2006* | 2013 | 20,000 |
| Sky Blue (New Jersey) | 2007* | 2013 | 25,000 |
| OL Reign (Seattle) |
2012 | 2013 | 6,500 |
| Portland Thorns | 2012 | 2013 | 25,218 |
| Washington Spirit |
2012 |
2013 | 20,000 |
| Houston Dash |
2013 | 2014 | 7,000 |
| Orlando Pride | 2015 | 2016 | 25,500 |
| North Carolina Courage |
2017 | 2017 | 10,000 |
| Utah Royals |
2017 | **2018 | 20,213 |
| Racing Louisville |
2019 | 2021 | 11,700 |
| Kansas City | 2020 | 2021 | 10,385 |
| Angel City | 2020 | 2022 | 22,000 |
| *Part of WPS League. **Utah Royals ceased operations in 2020. Their player related assets were transferred to Kansas City. |