Between the Women’s World Cup, the 11th National Women’s Soccer League season and the hundreds of other storylines we followed this year, we attempted the difficult task of narrowing down our top stories of 2023.
Here are 35 standout stories from the year. We split them into a few categories like “Live reporting,” “Deep dives” and “Features” while also highlighting specific themes like issues affecting the international calendar.
In 2024, watch for much more coverage of the NWSL’s two new squads (Bay FC and Utah Royals FC), the USL Super League‘s expansion, and the new-look U.S. women’s national team that will welcome Emma Hayes this spring.
Breaking news reporting
Crystal Dunn signs multi-year contract with Gotham FC (at the buzzer, on New Year’s Eve with an exclusive)
Written by Jenna Tonelli
Sources: Emma Hayes expected to become next USWNT head coach
Written by Jeff Kassouf
Sources: NWSL to scrap Challenge Cup in 2024, replace it with one-off game to start season
Written by Jeff Kassouf
Julie Ertz: Phoenix Rising (when Jeff talked with the two-time World Cup champion about her return to the pitch)
Written by Jeff Kassouf
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Live reporting
Reliving some of the 2023 FIFA World Cup’s best moments
Written by Taylor Vincent and Dan Lauletta
Goalkeeper emergency: Inside the six minutes that sealed Gotham’s first NWSL title
Written by Jeff Kassouf
‘We really earned it’: Midge Purce shines for Gotham FC in NWSL Championship
Written by Jenna Tonelli
Inside the first-ever NWSL Skills Challenge
Written by Bekki Morgan
Canada’s labor unrest looms large at the World Cup
Written by Harjeet Johal
Strong relationship between coach and captain anchors England ahead of World Cup final
Written by Theodore Lloyd-Hughes
Jeff’s reporting on the international calendar
Inside the NWSL’s conflict with FIFA dates, and why a global calendar crisis could be looming
Written by Jeff Kassouf
Seriously, a fall-to-spring for the NWSL? Maybe. The calendar crisis explained
Written by Jeff Kassouf
Rest? When? 2023 World Cup player survey underscores on-going world calendar issue
Written by Jeff Kassouf
Best series
The 11 Most Memorable NWSL Trades
Written by Dan Lauletta
The Top 25 Managers in Women’s Soccer
Written by Blair Newman
Top 50 Legends of the Women’s World Cup
Written by Blair Newman
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Deep dives
Gotham FC wants to conquer the world. First, the club must capture New York City
Written by Jenna Tonelli
In Spain, a country unites again for fútbol supremacy, some unaware of the context
Written by Fernando Alcalá-Zamora Ruiz
Midfield madness and majesty: The importance of the No. 6 position
Written by Abdullah Abdullah
A scheduling win for the NWSL? Yes. Decision Day, whiparound show delivered
Written by Dan Lauletta
Reign for sale, Michele Kang to take over Lyon women: What it could mean for Spirit, Reign, Lyon and NWSL
Written by Jeff Kassouf, Taylor Vincent, Bella Munson
Analyzing the USWNT’s complicated relationship with inverted fullbacks
Written by Blair Newman
The NWSL’s average attendance is up, but the gap from top to bottom is widening
Written by Bekki Morgan
The Reign fell short again. Now what?
Written by Bella Munson
Analyzing Vlatko-ball: From Sweden, to Sweden
Written by Blair Newman
In the Philippines, women’s soccer is suddenly must-see TV
Written by Theodore Lloyd-Hughes
Saluting legendary players
Canada said goodbye to Christine Sinclair, but the emotions haven’t yet set in
Written by Harjeet Johal
Inside Gotham FC’s memorable tribute to Ali Krieger’s career
Written by Jenna Tonelli
‘None of that happens without the Reign’: Megan Rapinoe’s emotional goodbye
Written by Bella Munson
Features
‘Here’s the think about Jae’: How Howell aims to captain Louisville to a better future
Written by Bekki Morgan
How Abby Dahlkemper rediscovered herself during recovery (yes, there were dogs)
Written by Taylor Vincent
‘It’s happening’: Savannah DeMelo is going to the World Cup
Written by Bekki Morgan
Racheal Kundananji is ready to lead by example for young girls in Zambia
Written by Esther Owusua Appiah-Fei
Kerolin is ready to show her work
Written by Julia Belas
Maricarmen Reyes is turning dreams into reality with Tigres, eyeing Liga MX golden boot
Written by Rachael Kriger
‘I can do this’: Casey Krueger on soccer, motherhood and self-belief
Written by Taylor Vincent
