We’re into Week 3 of the 2025 USL W League season, and the competition is heating up! Let’s look at the four matches we’ll be tuned into this weekend.
Both teams will kick off their season this weekend at Highmark Stadium in just the second match in the new Great Forest Division.
Cleveland Force is the only non-expansion club in the division, looking to use its experience to start the summer with a win. And while the 2025 Best New Crest winner Pittsburgh Riveters might be in their first season, they have W League vets Tessa Dellarose and Bailey Herfurth who can lead the team to a victory in its home opener.
The 2023 W League champions are back for their fourth season, kicking off at Grand Park this Saturday.
Indy Eleven recently announced its roster for the year, featuring key returners like Grace Bahr, Addie Chester, Katie Soderstrom Bulger and goalkeeper Kate Phillips, who made the penalty save in last year’s playoffs to advance the team to the Central Conference Finals.
On the other side, Lexington is one of four W League clubs directly below USL Super League teams. Multiple Girls in Green moved up to the club’s professional team after the summer, so we’ll be looking out for their stars throughout the season.
Mid Atlantic Division play commences this Saturday when the Marauders host the back-to-back division winners Eagle FC.
Virginia Marauders finished third in the standings last season, but with fewer teams in the division this year, every game is even more crucial. The team will field an experienced roster this summer including Samie Scaffidi, Katherine Ponce and Salvadorian international Gabby Rodriguez.
Eagle FC is back for redemption after its earliest postseason exit in the first round last summer. The team has also announced an impressive roster with a good mix of returners like Malene Nielsen, along with newcomers like Oklahoma standout Kayla Keefer and Kentucky commit Isabella Boyce.
The first of many battles in the Emerald City happens this Sunday between expansion clubs West Seattle Rhodies and Salmon Bay.
Salmon Bay will be led by Head Coach Malia Arrant, a Seattle-based player, coach, and club director for the past 25 years. Her experience combined with the talent on the roster, featuring players like Alicia Barker who played for the Philippines in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will make for an impressive team this season.
The Rhodies will also field a strong roster with players like University of Portland standouts Violet Rademacher and Hailey Still, as well as the University of Washington’s Andrea Leyva. Which team will come out on top in this first inner-city rivalry match?
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