After being pushed back due to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, English topflight football is set to return on Sunday.
In May, Chelsea secured its fourth straight title after topping the table with 58 points. Manchester United weren’t far off with 56 points, while Arsenal claimed third place with 47 points. Considering the league’s wealth of talent and high-profile signings since the World Cup, this year’s campaign will surely be just as entertaining and dramatic as years past.
Read on for everything you need to know about the 2023-24 WSL season.
How the WSL season works
Many household clubs will compete in this year’s domestic campaign, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham United. This time around, the 12-team league is completed by Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bristol City (promoted from the Women’s Championship), Everton and Leicester City. At the end of last season, Reading was relegated to the Championship after finishing last with 11 points.
This WSL season is 22 games long with clubs playing each other both home and away every Sunday from now until May (excluding the final day, which takes place on Saturday, May 18, 2024).
The team with the most points will be crowned the winners of the English league. At the end of the campaign, the top two teams will also qualify for the second round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, while the third-place team will qualify for the UWCL first round. The last place team will be relegated to the Championship.
Chelsea aims to continue dominance
After earning their fourth WSL title in a row last campaign, as well as a third consecutive FA Cup, Chelsea remains a firm favourite to lift the trophy once more.
Despite prolific goal-scorer Pernille Harder and skipper Magda Eriksson departing this summer (both joined Bayern Munich), new signings Catarina Macario and Canadian international Ashley Lawrence will add depth to both the front and backlines.
Other big names like Sam Kerr, Millie Bright and Lauren James — who had standout World Cups for Australia and England — alongside Fran Kirby being back from injury, make Emma Hayes’ side a force to be reckoned with. The squad’s adversity and ability to win matches when not playing their best makes them a constant threat.
Don’t underestimate Arsenal and Manchester City
While Chelsea has a good shot at winning the league once more, soccer is unpredictable and momentum is everything — which Arsenal and Manchester City both have.
The Gunners finished third in the WSL last season but did so without star players Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. Now both are returning from injury, and new talent gives Jonas Eidevall’s side reason to be optimistic. Swedish defender Amanda Ilestedt joined the fold from PSG, Matilda’s star Kyra Cooney-Cross from Hammarby IF, and Canadian striker Cloé Lacasse from Benfica. Captain Leah Williamson is also set to return later in the campaign, which will add additional depth and leadership that is vital as the season progresses.
City on the other hand had a relatively stable transfer window. After losing Hayley Raso to Real Madrid, Dutch international Jill Roord arrived at Joie Stadium from Wolfsburg. This much needed stability could prove vital for the Blues, who’ve had extra time to train as a complete squad than other teams. With 2022-23 WSL silver boot winner Khadija Shaw on attack and English linchpin Alex Greenwood on the backline, Gareth Taylor’s side will look to challenge Chelsea for the title.
Canadians in the WSL
In addition to Lawrence and Lacasse, there are a handful of other Canadians to watch out for this campaign.
Joining Lawrence at Chelsea is Jessie Fleming and Kadeisha Buchanan. In her first season with Chelsea in 2021-22, Fleming solidified her spot as an essential member of Hayes’ midfield. Buchanan is entering her second season at Kingsmeadow after making 28 appearances in her maiden campaign.
Keeper Sabrina D’Angelo remains with Arsenal after signing from Vittsjö in January. The 30-year-old made her debut for the Gunners on Jan. 26 in a 3-0 win against Aston Villa in the FA Women’s League Cup.
After recovering from hip surgery last fall, Jayde Riviere made her debut for Manchester United at the end of last season. However, Riviere didn’t participate in Canada’s two-match Olympic qualifier against Jamaica last week due to injury, so it’s unclear when she’ll suit up for the Reds next.
In August, veteran Shelina Zadorsky signed a one-year extension with Tottenham, keeping her at the club until June 2024. Her defensive presence and experience will help the Spurs work to overcome their sometimes shaky backline.
Lastly, Adriana Leon recently joined Aston Villa from Manchester United, while Deanne Rose signed for Leicester City from Reading. While Rose was also absent from Canada’s last camp due to injury, both athletes will surely look to make an impact for their respective clubs this season.