X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert deal-hunting staff showcases the best price drops and discounts from reputable sellers daily. If you make a purchase using our links, CNET may earn a commission.

How to watch the USWNT players in the National Women's Soccer League

You don't need to wait four years to watch Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and the rest of the Women's World Cup champions play soccer.

Matt Elliott Senior Editor
Matt Elliott is a senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services. Matt has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing laptops. He has worked for CNET in New York and San Francisco and now lives in New Hampshire. When he's not writing about laptops, Matt likes to play and watch sports. He loves to play tennis and hates the number of streaming services he has to subscribe to in order to watch the various sports he wants to watch.
Expertise Laptops, desktops, all-in-one PCs, streaming devices, streaming platforms
Matt Elliott
3 min read
USWNT

The champs have returned to the US and will rejoin their club teams later this month.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

They return home champions with a ticker-tape parade through New York City's Canyon of Heroes. The United States Women's National Team (USWNT) won its fourth World Cup title after beating the Netherlands 2-0 behind goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle. It was a thrilling display of soccer dominance, from their opening 13-0 romp over Thailand to their wins in the knockout stages against European powers Spain, France, England and the Netherlands.

We shouldn't have to wait four years for the next World Cup to watch such greatness. And we don't need to! All 23 players on the USWNT play in the National Women's Soccer League right here in the US. And you can stream NWSL games online and watch on TV. Here's what you need to know to watch our USWNT heroes in the NWSL.

Watch this: Live TV streaming services for cord cutters: How to choose the best one for you

What is the NWSL?

The NWSL started play in 2013 and is currently in the middle of its seventh season, running from April to October. You can see the full NWSL schedule here.

How many teams are in the NWSL?

There are nine teams in the league:

  • Chicago Red Stars (Bridgeview, Illinois)
  • Houston Dash (Houston)
  • North Carolina Courage (Cary, North Carolina)
  • Orlando Pride (Orlando, Florida)
  • Portland Thorns FC (Portland, Oregon)
  • Reign FC (Tacoma, Washington)
  • Sky Blue FC (Piscataway, New Jersey)
  • Utah Royals FC (Sandy, Utah)
  • Washington Spirit (Boyds, Maryland)

Which club teams do the USWNT champs play on?

Every NWSL team except the Houston Dash features at least one USWNT player. The USWNT players are expected back with their club teams by the end of July. Here's how the national team talent is allocated:

  • Chicago Red Stars: Morgan Brian, Tierna Davidson, Julie Ertz and Alyssa Naeher
  • North Carolina Courage: Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Jessica McDonald and Sam Mewis
  • Orlando Pride: Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger and Alex Morgan
  • Portland Thorns FC: Adrianna Franch, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Emily Sonnett
  • Reign FC: Allie Long and Megan Rapinoe
  • Sky Blue FC: Carli Lloyd
  • Utah Royals FC: Kelley O'Hara, Christen Press and Becky Sauerbrunn
  • Washington Spirit: Rose Lavelle and Mallory Pugh

How can I watch NWSL games?

You can livestream every NWSL game for free on Yahoo Sports and the Yahoo Sports app. In addition, the NWSL and ESPN recently announced a partnership that will broadcast 14 games on ESPN2 and ESPNews. Eight matches will air on ESPNews. Six matches will air on ESPN2, including the two playoff semifinals and the championship game.

If you don't have a cable or satellite TV subscription, then you can watch ESPN2 and ESPNews with a live-TV streaming service.

Things to know about live TV streaming services:

Note CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

Sling TV's $25-a-month Orange package includes ESPN but you'll need to spring for the $10-a-month Sports Extra add-on to watch the games on ESPNews. (Sling's plans are currently discounted by 40 percent for the first month.) 

Read more about Sling TV.

Hulu with Live TV costs $45 a month and includes ESPN2 and ESPNews. 

Read more about Hulu with Live TV.

PlayStation Vue's cheapest $50-a-month Access plan includes ESPN2, and its $55-a-month Core includes both ESPN2 and ESPNews.

Read more about PlayStation Vue.

YouTube TV costs $50 a month and includes ESPN and ESPNews. 

Read more about YouTube TV.

DirecTV Now's basic $50-a-month Plus package includes ESPN2, and its $70-a-month Max package includes both ESPN2 and ESPNews.

Read more about DirecTV Now.