The 2024 NWSL playoffs, featuring the largest postseason field in league history, saw the top four seeds all advance past the quarterfinals as expected. But for the four eliminated teams – Chicago Red Stars, Bay FC, Portland Thorns, and North Carolina Courage – tough questions loom as they head into a critical offseason.
Chicago Red Stars: Building Around Swanson
Despite a 4-1 thrashing by the top-seeded Orlando Pride, Chicago’s 2024 campaign marked significant improvement from their last-place finish in 2023. New ownership and head coach Lorne Donaldson steadied the ship, but the Red Stars still struggled against the NWSL’s elite.
Chicago’s top priority this winter will be adding depth and veteran presence around star forward Mallory Swanson, who is entering year two of a five-year contract. “Obviously, we’ll look to get some better players – a few veterans and a few young players,” Donaldson said. “There will be changes in our team, just like any other team.”
Bay FC: Expansion Success Story
Bay FC came oh-so-close to upsetting the Washington Spirit before falling 2-1 in extra time of a thrilling quarterfinal. Still, Bay FC became just the second expansion team ever to make the NWSL playoffs in its inaugural season.
“Who would have thought that six months ago, seven months ago, that we would have been playing the Spirit in the playoffs and we’re taking them into overtime?” Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya said.
The midseason arrivals of defender Abby Dahlkemper and holding midfielder Kiki Pickett gave Bay FC the defensive spine it was lacking early on. Keeping that core together while adding more punch in attack could vault Bay FC into title contention in 2025.
Portland Thorns: Identity Crisis
Portland’s erratic 2024 season ended with a 2-1 home loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the quarterfinals. The Thorns made a coaching change just four matches in, won six straight, then went on a seven-game winless run after the Olympic break. Too often, Portland relied solely on forward Sophia Smith for attacking inspiration.
Another offseason of soul-searching awaits the Thorns. The retirements of midfield legend Christine Sinclair and defender Becky Sauerbrunn leave huge leadership voids. Deciding on a settled back four and goalkeeper, and forging a clear identity beyond counterattacking through Smith, are top priorities.
North Carolina Courage: Lacking a Finisher
The Courage dominated possession and played some of the NWSL’s most eye-catching soccer in 2024, but a lack of clinical finishing proved their Achilles’ heel. “The story of our season,” lamented Courage coach Sean Nahas after a 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Kansas City.
2023 league MVP Kerolin played in just four games after suffering a torn ACL late last season. Her return to fitness and form in 2025 could be the missing piece for the Courage, but the Brazilian is also a free agent with significant overseas interest. Securing her signature is priority No. 1 for North Carolina.
For the four teams ousted from the 2024 NWSL playoffs, the work toward a more successful 2025 begins now. Key contract decisions, roster overhauls, and tactical adjustments are on the agenda as Chicago, Bay FC, Portland, and North Carolina aim to rejoin the NWSL’s upper echelon next season.
