The NWSL is in its fourth year of existence, a historic mark for women’s professional soccer in the United States. Since they began playing in 2013 with eight teams, they have two added to more over the last three years. The Houston Dash joined prior to the 2014 season and the Orlando Pride joined prior to the 2016 season. The NWSL may have a new team in the future
Carolina Railhawks President interested in NWSL
North America Soccer League team Carolina Railhawks President Curt Johnson recently expressed interest in joining the NWSL when speaking with Tim Nash of Equalizer Soccer.
“We are interested. Our owner, Steve Malik and I met with Jeff Plush in Chicago in June, and we have had further conversations. There is interest from both sides, and the process is on-going. We are just doing our due diligence and getting the lay of the land, understanding budgets, the relationship with U.S. Soccer and the long-term vision.”
Johnson continued; “The process is evolving. If, and it’s a big if right now, we were going to play in 2017, I think a decision would have to be made in the next 60 days. I think we have the facilities, the support and there are a lot of top players in the area.”
Would the NWSL work in Carolina?
Currently, the Railhawks play at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. The stadium has a capacity of over 10,000 are undergoing renovations. It has hosted the NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Cup. It has also hosted ACC tournaments, U.S. Soccer training camps as well as international friendlies.
The stadium is also located near North Carolina State, Duke University and the University of North Carolina. There are also over 10,000 registered youth soccer players that play within 40 miles of Caryas noted by Tim Nash of Equalizer soccer.
It has all the makings to succeed and show no real reasons why it would fail.
Is it time for Expansion?
Unlike its predecessors, the NWSL has done fairly well. Their attendance has grown each year and more and more quality players from all over the world have come to the league. Nahomi Kawasumi, a Japanese international, recently came back to the Seattle Reign. Amandine Henry, just 26-years-old, recently joined the Portland Thorns. She had her choice of playing for any league in the world and she picked the NWSL.
The NWSL is loaded with star players from all over the world. Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath and Alex Morgan are a few to name that are flourishing in the league. They all could play anywhere in the world, but decided to stay home and play for the NWSL. 2013 World Player of the Year, Nadine Angerer, even played in the NWSL. That shows you just how good of a league it is and it appears to only get better.
If the NWSL decides to expand, they should wait one more year and do it in 2018, not 2017. Find another viable option to join the league with Carolina and make it a 12 team league. The league should also work on getting a solid, stable TV deal that will show the country and the rest of the world just how good the NWSL really is and not just televise the NWSL Playoffs.
quotes courtesy of Tim Nash from equalizer soccer