Nine NWSL teams competed in the fifth annual Coachella Valley Invitational
Before the regular season begins, the Empire Polo Club hosts the top clubs from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Major League Soccer for the fifth annual Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI). It is considered the “largest integration between major men’s and women’s professional sports leagues in North America.” The CVI is an annual preseason exhibition tournament where professional womens and mens soccer teams compete in the desert.
This year, the nine NWSL clubs that are competing are Angel City FC, San Diego Wave FC, Bay FC, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, Utah Royals FC, and Denver Summit FC. The tournament can be a tone-setter for what’s to come in the upcoming season and serves as an awesome first look at league’s new teams.
Denver Summit FC has the opportunity to be entertaining
Expansion teams tend to struggle to find their footing in their early years. Most recently, we have seen the teams that joined the NWSL in 2024 have an up-and-down first two years. The Utah Royals have missed the playoffs in both seasons. Despite making the playoffs in 2024, Bay FC sat near the bottom of the NWSL standings in 2025.
The Denver Summit played their first-ever game open to the public on Feb. 15. They defeated a budding rival, the Utah Royals, and held them without a goal. Denver also won their second preseason matchup on Feb. 21 against the San Diego Wave. Rookie forward Olivia Thomas shined in her professional debut with three goals throughout the tournament.
Kansas City (KC) Current has an MVP-sized hole
After injury to star striker Temwa Chawinga, the KC Current has struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Chawinga suffered a non-contact injury during the 2025 playoffs and her timeline for return is unclear. The Current acquired midfielder Croix Bethune with hopes she would help fill the gap on offense. Bethune played in the second half, but was still getting acquainted on a new team.
To open the NWSL portion of the CVI, the Current took on the San Diego Wave and ended in a tie. KC’s defense remained a strength for this team as new head coach Chris Armas put an emphasis on continuing their defensive dominance.
Angel City FC’s (ACFC) young stars shine
The Angel City FC had an impressive showing in their first preseason game on Feb. 15. They defeated the Portland Thorns 2-1 with midfielder Maiara Niehues scoring both goals. Niehues scored early with a pass from defender Gisele Thompson. Thompson and Niehues both played well at CVI and have the potential to have breakout seasons for Angel City.
ACFC dropped their second preseason game to the Seattle Reign FC on Feb. 21. Despite Angel City dominating the time of possession for most of the second half, Seattle forward Nérelia Mondesir scored in the 54th minute for the game’s only goal. Angel City is hoping to use this season to emerge as an NWSL powerhouse.
Featured image via sandiegowavefc.com
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