New season, new squad, new coach

New expansion teams … buckle up for an unpredictable 2027 in the NWSL

Hello, Courage Country. Another soccer season is upon us! Like me, you’re probably entering 2027 with trepidation: it’s difficult to focus on soccer while civil liberties are being eroded week over week.

My friend Scott wrote a beautiful essay this week called Words Aren’t Enough. It largely tries to grapple with the state of America right now. But in part, he address the weirdness of continuing to write his own newsletter – a general blend of humor, cooking and sports – during such a challenging period. He reflects, “I believe it’s important that the things that give us joy not fall away in the face of hatred.”

One observation I’m holding onto in this moment is that we’re rediscovering the strength of community, and its many definitions: your friends and chosen family, the neighbors gathering in the streets of your city, and the people that come together to support a soccer team. Perhaps, in the face of so much hatred, our gathering together to show love and joy is in itself a consequential action.

In that spirit, let’s see what’s in store for us in the 2027 season.

Courage Announce New Head Coach Mak Lind

After an extended period of swirling rumors, which we covered last November, Mak Lind was finally confirmed as the new head coach for the Courage. Lind previously coached BK Häcken, a club in Sweden’s top league. The squad most recently won the championship, and finished second in 2023 and 2024. Lind is a former captain for the men’s side, and at least one rumor had him on a short list for the Arsenal position after Jonas Eidevall departed for San Diego.

He has a good track record and, perhaps refreshingly for Courage fans, has reiterated he’s willing to sacrifice a little possession-based play in favor of forward progress and goal scoring. That said, he inherited a great team from his predecessor at BK Häcken, so how he might build a mid-table squad into a championship-caliber team remains to be seen.

It’s a serious hire, and with a re-imagined roster, the Courage have the opportunity to reclaim a leadership position on the table.

It’s worth noting Lind’s hire continues NWSL’s habit of looking to men, and for coaches outside the U.S. for that matter, to lead their squads. There are only four women in a head coaching position at the time of publication: Bev Yanez at Racing Louisville, Laura Harvey at Seattle Reign, Emma Coates at Bay FC, and Filipa Patão at Boston. That’s double the number from last year, which had Harvey and Yanez alone. Portland is still seeking their next head coach, so we’ll see what direction they take.

Further reading:

More roster updates!

Here are further roster updates since our last newsletter. You can find the complete, updated list of all the roster changes to date on our website.

Departures

  • Denise O’Sullivan – It’s hard to summarize the impact the Courage midfielder and team captain had for the squad, giving the team a major part of its core identity, work ethic and spirit. Sully also helped the team weather multiple leadership storms in her tenure, and had a special knack for welcoming new players to the squad. The Irish athlete has hinted about wanting to play in Europe before, but her departure is the biggest signal that the Courage are wholly re-inventing themselves this year.
  • Marisa Jordan – in a surprise move, the Courage parted with keeper Marisa Jordan, who went to Kansas City for an international spot. Jordan seemed the obvious choice for the starting position with Casey Murphy’s announced departure to Boston.
  • Brooklyn Courtnall – the defender was on loan to Bay FC, made permanent for $100,000 in intraleague transfer funds. Courtnall was a starter for Bay, so it makes sense they made an effort to retain her.
  • Aline Gomes– The Brazilian forward had limited playing time with the Courage, during which there were moments of real promise. She’s headed to Pachuca, in Liga MX Femenil.
  • Nathan Thackeray – The former assistant coach, who took up acting Head Coach responsibilities with the ousting of Sean Nahas, did an admirable job leading the Courage through a rocky end of season last year. He’s been tapped to lead Dallas Trinity FC in the USL Super League.

New players

  • Evelyn Ijeh – in another massive move at the forward position, the Courage signed the Swedish star, who departed AC Milan for an undisclosed fee. Ijeh has a guaranteed contract through 2029.
  • Kailen Sheridan – the keeper from Bay FC and the Canadian National Team joins the Courage for a 2-year contract through 2027. It’s a thrilling signing given the departures of Jordan and Murphy, with Sheridan now the presumptive starter. And the Courage weren’t done yet …
  • Molly Pritchard – the Courage signed a Buckeye! The former Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year signed a 2-year contract through 2027.

Contract renewals

  • Olivia Wingate – the Courage signed the forward to a 1-year extension through the 2026 season

Danger zone

  • Meredith Speck – There’s been no announcement one way or another on Speck. She was viewed as giving a major speed and energy boost to the squad in 2025, and in general is often noted by players as important to the team’s organizational culture.
  • Tyler Lussi – Like Speck, the coaching staff spoke highly of her 2025 contributions, noting she was an all-around player that could slot into multiple positions. No word on her renewal.
  • Manaka Matsukubo – it’s not quite time to panic, as Matsukubo’s contract runs through the upcoming season. But other players have already announced contract extensions beyond 2026, and we’ve heard nothing yet on the team’s leading scorer.

Season schedule release

You’ve likely already blocked off your calendar, but if you haven’t yet, the NWSL schedule is here!

Here’s the Courage schedule.

And for the league as a whole.

Some schedule highlights for the Courage:

  • Saturday, March 14 – opening match v. Racing Louisville at home
  • Saturday, March 21 – the very next week is an away match against reigning champs Gotham FC
  • Wednesday, April 29 – away match against expansion side Boston Legacy
  • June – league-wide international break as the World Cup is hosted in the U.S.
  • Wednesday, August 5 – away match against expansion side Denver Summit
  • Sunday, November 1 – Final match, at home, against Denver

One more note

Midfielder Riley Jackson received her first senior USWNT call-up for the January friendlies, and had a major assist to none other than Trinity Rodman last night. She also had a near-assist to Emma Sears, but the shot bounced off the near post. You can see that clip around the 20-second mark here.

Below is Rodman’s goal, complete with dance:

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