With the 2025 NWSL approaching, the new 4-part docuseries For the Win: NWSL has fans hoping the new season matches the electric energy of the 2024 season. From interviews to playoff highlights, the docuseries showcases the trials the league faced in the past to the recent upsurge of success. So, let’s unpack what the docuseries shares.
Player Appreciation
The series gives viewers an insight into the mindsets of prominent players, such as Trinity Rodman and Marta. Without a doubt, viewers should expect to see interviews from the league’s biggest stars, but the series shines a light on many role players as well.
Yazmeen Ryan, Kylie Strom, Tara McKeown, and Nealy Martin have lots of camera time sharing their thoughts on their opponents and journeys as soccer players. Temwa Chawinga, the 2024 NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner, and Barbra Banda, 2024 NWSL Champion, both receive the love they deserve in the later half of the series.
A key moment that speaks to the power and influence of all the NWSL players is when NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman credits the players for expanding the game. To hear that from the commissioner herself speaks volumes. For the Win: NWSL deserves a round of applause for how it sells and promotes players of various statuses.
Youth on the Rise, but Legacy is Everpresent
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The series exposes viewers to the historic legacies of Alex Morgan, Kelly O’Hara, Marta, and Christine Sinclair. If fans weren’t aware of the friendship between O’Hara and Morgan, after viewing the first episode, fans quickly learn the relationship the two share and how important they are to each other. Along with this, the series does well to show how the older generation of players is leaving the league in good hands to the younger players.
Olivia Moultrie subbing for Christine Sinclair in Sinclair’s final match as a Portland Thorn clearly demonstrates the new wave of the dominating youth. Rodman, Hershfelt, Bethune, and Moultrie are all a few pieces of the younger generation highlighted in the series. Despite the documentary’s focus on the NWSL’s star-studded youth, it gives the now retired veterans the flowers they so dearly deserve. Alongside O’Hara, Morgan, Sinclair, and Marta, Becky Sauerbrunn, Ali Krieger, and Megan Rapinoe are given a shout-out for their involvement in the game’s development.
Support for the Growth of the Game
The enormous wave of increased viewership and fan attendance across the league reflects the support the NWSL has received not only from the fans, but also from investors. Lynn Biyendolo reflects on her early days in the NWSL. The high school turf field environments once so common in the NWSL’s youth are no longer present. Due to investments from Eli Manning, Brittany Mahomes, Patrick Mahomes, Michele Kang, and more, specialized stadiums and training facilities now exist for players.
There’s a great moment of jealousy when Meredith Speck speaks on the new CPKC Stadium built precisely for the Kansas City Current squad. Will stadiums specifically for women’s soccer clubs be on the rise? The docuseries serves the idea that investors who want to see an influx of community, culture, and success in their organizations should value the work environment of the team.
Only Playoff Teams are Highlighted
On another note, viewers should not expect to see much insight into non-playoff teams. There’s little to no mention of teams who ranked 9-14 in the 2024 standings. Brief inclusions of players from losing teams, such as Alyssa Thompson, Gisele Thompson, and Jaedyn Shaw, speak more to the future of the league rather than the clubs they play for.
Previewing each club likely would have called for more than a 4-part docuseries. Although that is one of the docuseries’ pitfalls, each of the top eight teams is given time to detail their position during the playoffs and reflect on their club’s history.
What will the 2025 season look like?
Lastly, the series ends with a preview of the 2025 season. Trinity Rodman predicts that the standings for the next season will “fluctuate the entire season.” We see Lynn Biyendolo in her new threads for Seattle Reign. Bethune’s recovery will wrap up just in time for the new season.
Is Trin’s prediction one you can agree with? Will Biyendolo take the Reign out of the bottom six? Will Bethune repeat as Midfielder of the Year? All of this and more is in store for fans this upcoming season. Will you be there to find out?
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