The NWSL Coaching Chaos This Season

September 23, 2021
By Hope Quinonez

The NWSL is coaching chaos this season. There have been several moves and changes within different teams. Not only are players traded and picked up by new teams, but this season’s coaching staff has mixed around due to club issues, better opportunities, and the aim to increase women coaching in the NWSL. Nevertheless, the league is growing, and players use their platforms to speak out against abusive and toxic coaches. Here’s a look at all the NWSL coaching switches this 2021 season.

Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit fired coach Richie Burke for harassing his players, and Jim Gabarra replaced him. Burke was accused of mentally and verbally abusing his players, creating a toxic environment for his athletes. Mental health is a crucial component for performance and maintaining the healthy mental state of the athlete. So, it is important to have a positive, non-abusive coach leading a team. Due to this allegation, the Spirit is investigating further to ensure this never happens again.

Racing Louisville

Next, Racing Louisville head coach Christy Holly also was fired for reasonable causes. The NWSL prides itself on ensuring these athletes are treated as professionals and held to standard treatments. Holly’s termination comes just after the inaugural season of Louisville in the NWSL. Prior to the firing of their head coach, they were starting to compete and make their mark in the league. Not only do these professionals worry about playing and winning games, but they also have to worry about the lack of fair treatment by just being women and professional athletes.

Gotham FC and the NWSL 2022 Expansion

The fight for an increase in women head coaches in the NWSL remains at the top of the to-do list. One of three female head coaches, Freya Coombe, recently left her position at NY/NJ Gotham FC and will be joining Angel City FC in their 2022 debut season. Scott Parkinson replaced Coombe, and he is now in charge of the Gotham squad. Angel City FC is not the only new club that will be joining the NWSL. The new San Diego club will be in the hands of former USWNT head coach Jill Ellis, who will hold the presidential position and Casey Stoney will manage the club.

Orlando Pride and Portland Thorns

The Orlando Pride also had its share of coaching changes. Becky Burleigh took the position of Marc Skinner. He left the Pride to take over Casey Stoney’s position with Manchester United.

The Portland Thorns head coach, Mark Parsons, announced he would leave his role at the end of this season to focus on international play with the Dutch National Team. So, the Thorns will follow the Pride’s footsteps by looking for a female replacement to lead the Thorns.

The NWSL is one of the fastest-growing professional women’s leagues in the country. Based on the success of the USWNT, these women deserve better. Fortunately, both the coaching staff and players adapt to the changes made within the league and continue to make the best of each opportunity they are handed. They are heading in the right direction as the league is expanding with two new clubs, hiring women coaches, and taking abusive coaching seriously.

Featured image via Getty Images