When The Soccer Tournament launched last year, both men's and women's teams were among the 32 teams that competed for the $1 million prize.
This year, eight women's team will form their own division — and play for their own $1 million prize. (Here's our guide to the men's division, which consists of 48 teams.) The TST sickos at Hudson River Blue analyzed the squads and divided the teams into two categories, The Contenders, and The Dark Horses.
Read on to learn more about the HRB guide to all eight women's teams participating in TST.
Hudson River Blue Staff
The Contenders
Angel City 7s
(Group A) Angel City, the NWSL team from Los Angeles that launched to much buzz in 2022 in part thanks to its celebrity-laden ownership group, brings a squad full of players with college soccer experience, but limited pro experience, to TST. The coach is Saskia Webber, a former goalkeeper for the USWNT who was part of the team that won the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Burnley FC
(Group B) The face of Burnley FC is Kealia Watt, who starred in NWSL for the Houston Dash and is married to NFL star JJ Watt — the couple are also minority owners of Burnley since May 2023. There’s a good amount of NWSL experience on this roster, and the Watt connections run deep: Dani Watt, a standout in college for the University of Wisconsin who is married to NFL linebacker TJ Watt and thus a sister-in-law of JJ and Kealia (got that?), also playing for Burnley.
Michael Battista
North Carolina Courage
(Group B) One of the all-time best teams in National Women’s Soccer League history with two NWSL Championships and three NWSL Shield wins. The definitive home side of the inaugural women’s tournament and playing in their own stadium (albeit only half of the field). This is a mix of team alumni and younger college players, and includes USWNT alumnus midfielder Jessica McDonald.
US Women
(Group A) Alumni from the US Women’s National Team at all levels, plus some local college talent. They competed in TST last year against men’s teams — and lost every game by five or more goals. It's likely the catalyst for why a separate women’s tournament was created. A squad that features former USWNT heavy-hitters Ali Krieger, Allie Long, and Heather O'Reilly – plus Carli Lloyd and Mia Hamm coaching from the sidelines – will draw a crowd.
US WOMEN’S OFFICIAL TST ROSTER:
— TST (@TST7v7) May 31, 2024
TST Tickets: https://t.co/jVgCBwpWIg pic.twitter.com/gmj6wNkuw1
The Dark Horses
Streetball FC Canada
(Group A) If you’re looking for a Canadian team to support in TST, look no further. This squad is flush with Canadians, and it’s led by former Canada Women’s National Team defender Lauren Sesselmann. Springing from a youth training program from The Great White North, the team also has plenty of connections with the University of British Columbia. They have “streetball” in their name so one would expect this team to play with some creativity.
Soccerhead FC
(Group B) Workin' nine to five, what a way to make a livin'. But for these former Duke University players the dream of playing soccer professionally hasn’t gone away. Some players have had their time playing in the big leagues, others are still looking for their big break. The roster includes former Celtic women’s midfielder Sarah Harkes, partner of current New England Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes. Head coach Scott Baker is a local, and the head coach of the Rowan University women’s soccer team since 2014.
Tampa Bay Sun FC
(Group B) Debuting in USL Super League later this year, Tampa Bay Sun FC has a chance to be proactive in getting its name out there. A chance to play on national TV is great advertising at the bare minimum, and possibly winning one million doesn’t hurt. While no one on the roster is signed to the USLSL team, that could change if any of them impress. Not to mention a battle of Division 1 women’s leagues (NWSL vs USLS) in the group stage match against the NC Courage. Until we get a women’s US Open Cup, this is the only way it happens competitively.
Wrexham Red Dragons
(Group A) What will the success or failure of the Wrexham Red Dragons women’s team in this year’s TST say about the popularity and trajectory of soccer in America?! Just kidding, we save that kind of discourse for when new episodes of the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries air on FX.
Getting to work in the scorching-hot North Carolina sun ☀️
— Wrexham AFC Women (@WrexhamAFCWomen) June 4, 2024
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC x @TST7v7 pic.twitter.com/J89H1Hopta
The Wrexham Red Dragons have a seasoned squad of pros with experience in the UK and in NWSL alike, and are headlined by Wrexham striker Rosie Hughes. There are a few North Carolina Courage alumni on this team, and even Nicole Baxter who made nine appearances for NJ/NY Gotham FC. Will the Hollywood magic of Rob and/or Ryan extend with an underdog run in the women’s bracket?
