Lauletta: What to watch for in the 2025 NWSL schedule

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The 2025 National Women’s Soccer League schedule is out. That means it’s time to start buying tickets, planning road trips, and of course complaining. Here are a few nuggets picked up while reviewing.

Love the Challenge Cup as standalone

We already knew this was coming, but having the Challenge Cup as a standalone event a week ahead of the first round of matches is an upgrade. Last year’s setup made for an awkward Week 1 dynamic in which it was confusing for some that the San Diego Wave and NJ/NY Gotham FC had played a match that did not count toward the standings. Those clubs were then saddled with an extra midweek match.

Sure, the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit have to start playing a week before everyone else, but I’m guessing that is preferable to adding an extra match in the same number of days. The standalone match also offers a better opportunity to promote Week 1 during the Prime broadcast and build natural excitement into the games that will count toward the 2025 standings.