The 12 NWSL Team Captains Searching for Success This Season
Arguably the most important role on a team, captains play many different parts and are relied upon heavily to lead their team. Beyond their field position, they also serve as mentors, motivators, supporters, and are typically the face of the team. Team captains have certain qualities that make them stand out among all other players, and being selected is no easy feat, especially in the NWSL. In a sea of amazing and talented players, these incredible NWSL team captains are leading their clubs in search of success this upcoming season!
Angel City FC – Ali Riley
Following a trade from the Orlando Pride last January, Ali Riley is now captaining Angel City FC. Not only does she captain her club team, but she has also served as captain of the New Zealand Women’s National Team since 2017!
The defender has quickly become a staple for ACFC, starting in all but one of the 2022 regular season and Challenge Cup games. With a wealth of international and national playing experience, Riley is a great veteran addition to the relatively new team.
Chicago Red Stars
Former Chicago Red Stars captain Vanessa DiBernardo recently opted not to re-sign with the club this season and took her veteran expertise to the KC Current. Recently, Red Stars Head Coach Chris Petrucelli confirmed that goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher would step up to the captain role.
Naeher has been on the team since 2016 and has made 93 appearances, plus she has a lot of experience on the USWNT. Naeher will certainly contribute her leadership abilities and keeper prowess to the team this season.
Houston Dash – Jane Campbell
Dash goalkeeper and captain Jane Campbell is one of the club’s long-time players, having played with the club since 2017. She is one of only three players to reach 100 regular season appearances with the club, a milestone she achieved in 2022.
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After losing former captain Rachel Daly, Campbell stepped up to lead the team to their first-ever NWSL Playoff match last season. She is signed on to stay with the Dash through 2024, so she will have another shot to captain her team to the playoffs.
Kansas City Current – Desiree Scott
Desiree Scott, captain and midfielder for the Current, signed on to stay in KC through the 2023 season. She was named captain before the start of last season and was even awarded the first-ever Ally Award, which honors an athlete that supports and motivates their teammates.
Although she had knee surgery at the end of last season, she is expected to play at some point this season and will continue to provide her leadership on the sidelines and in the locker room.
NJ/NY Gotham FC – McCall Zerboni
Back again for the 2023 season, team captain McCall Zerboni is signed on to play again with Gotham FC. She has been with the club since being traded from the NC Courage in 2020.
She was the first player in the NWSL to hit 10,000 minutes played and won two NWSL Championships and three NWSL Shields. Zerboni was nominated for the Ally Award in 2022 and was recognized as one of the few original players still competing in the NWSL since its conception.
North Carolina Courage – Denise O’Sullivan
Captain since January, Denise O’Sullivan has played with the Courage since 2017. With former captain Abby Erceg gone, O’Sullivan was named the new team captain just last month. She is only the second team captain in the club’s history.
Last year, she re-signed to extend her time with the Courage through 2024, so we will get a good chance to see how her leadership will help the team.
OL Reign – Lauren Barnes
In January, Lauren Barnes extended her contract with the Reign through 2024. She has been with the club since 2013 and is entering her 11th season in the NWSL.
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The veteran player currently leads the league in appearances, starts, and minutes played, becoming the first player in the history of the NWSL to reach 15,000 minutes played. She was named co-captain of the team to start the 2017 season and has been captaining ever since.
Orlando Pride – Marta
Not only is Marta one of the most well-known female soccer players in the world, but she is also captain of the Orlando Pride and the Brazilian Women’s National Team. With the Pride since 2017, she was named captain in 2022 following the departure of Alex Morgan, who previously held the role.
The Brazilian veteran currently holds the lead for most goals scored and game appearances in Pride history. Though she missed part of last season with an ACL injury, she is signed with the Pride through 2024, so she will have plenty of time to captain the club.
Portland Thorns – Christine Sinclair
With the Portland Thorns since their inaugural season back in 2013, Sinclair is back again in 2023 for her 11th season with the club. She is the club’s leader in games started and played, minutes played, and goals scored.
The all-time leader in international goals also captains the Canadian Women’s National Team. She is definitely one of the most decorated captains in the league, leading the Thorns to three NWSL Championships, two NWSL Shields, and an NWSL Challenge Cup win, along with several Olympic medals and World Cup appearances with the Canadian National Team.
Racing Louisville FC
At the end of last year, Racing Louisville’s prior captain, Gemma Bonner, left the club and signed with Liverpool. Now that Abby Erceg is with the club, she could be taking on the captain role as she had with her last club. Erceg did captain the recent preseason game against the OL Reign, so there is a fair chance that this may be a decision that sticks once the regular season begins.
After all, she did win three NWSL Shields, three NWSL Championships, one NWSL Challenge Cup, and NWSL Defender of the Year in 2018, so her leadership would be extremely valuable to her new team.
San Diego Wave – Alex Morgan
A captain that needs no introduction, Alex Morgan has been leading the San Diego Wave with her brilliance since their inaugural season.
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Having played on several NWSL teams, in Europe and at the National Team level, she brings her game knowledge to pass along to the stud rookie members of the team. Moreover, Morgan won the 2022 Golden Boot Award with the club during their first season, showing the entire league that she will lead her team to a promising future.
Washington Spirit – Aubrey Kingsbury/Tori Huster
As co-captain for the Washington Spirit, Aubrey Kingsbury has been with the club since 2018. A two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Award winner, Kingsbury recently signed to stay with the Spirit through 2026.
Meanwhile, fellow co-captain and veteran Tori Huster signed on to stay with the Spirit for an 11th season, where she has played throughout her entire NWSL career. While Huster didn’t play in 2022 due to a season-ending injury, her game and league expertise kept her as captain.
It’s easy to see why each player was selected as team captain! But who will lead their team to the NWSL Championship? There’s only one way to find out: get ready to watch plenty of games once the 2023 season begins!
Featured image via @rileythree on Instagram
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