Neymar's return to action for Brazil will be delayed yet longer after the forward was ruled out of his country's squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Friday due to a thigh injury.

Brazil have been without their star since October 2023, when he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee. He had been named in Brazil's squad for the matches against Colombia and Argentina later this month after returning to fitness following a move to boyhood club Santos in the January transfer window.

However, he picked up a muscular problem in Santos' 2-0 win against Bragantino on March 2 and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed Friday that Neymar has been cut from the squad along with Manchester City goalkeeper Éderson and Flamengo's Danilo.

In their place, Brazil have called up Real Madrid's teenage forward Endrick, as well as Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri and Flamengo defender Alex Sandro.

"Following the original call-up, the Brazil national team's medical department has been updating us regarding the situation of all the players, especially Danilo from Flamengo, Neymar from Santos, and Ederson from Manchester City," Brazil coach Dorival Jr. said through a CBF statement.

"After the evaluations carried out, we decided to call up Lucas Perri from Lyon, Alex Sandro from Flamengo, and Endrick from Real Madrid to replace the injured players."

Brazil, who sit fifth in the South American World Cup qualifying table, will host Colombia on Thursday before visiting rival Argentina on March 25. The top six teams qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Mexico City's Estadio Azteca has changed its name to Estadio Banorte in order to help fund the final stages of remodeling for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

The venue for the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, the stadium will become the first to host three World Cups when it hosts the opening game of the 2026 competition, which will be played across Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The stadium will receive a loan of 2.1 billion pesos ($105 million) from Banorte, a major bank in the country that will be repaid over 12 years.

The deal between the bank and Ollamani, owners of the stadium, allows Banorte to have naming rights, as well as other promotions such as advertisements, signage and products in the venue. The latest investment is in addition to the 1.5 billion pesos ($75 million) that Ollamani has already invested in the remodel.

"It's an honor to unite with the most important financial institution in the country," said Emilio Azcárraga Jean, owner of Ollamani.

"With them we'll modernize this emblematic stadium while respecting its essence and architectural designs recognized for decades. It will be the most important place to showcase Mexico to the world."

The name change will mark the second in the stadium's 58-year existence after briefly being called Estadio Guillermo Cañedo in 1997. Closed since 2024 due to remodeling work, the Estadio Banorte is expected to finish construction later this year or in early 2026.

However, the new name will not be used during the 2026 World Cup. FIFA's strict sponsorship rules means stadiums that have sold their naming rights to sponsors will be forced to change their names for the tournament.

FIFA lists MetLife Stadium, where the final will be played on July 19, 2026, as New York New Jersey Stadium.

Boston's 2026 NWSL franchise announced Friday that it will officially change its name following a highly-ridiculed launch last fall.

The team announced itself in October as BOS Nation FC -- an anagram for "Bostonian" -- and received immediate national blowback for the name and the accompanying marketing campaign, "Too Many Balls," which many deemed offensive.

The team apologized and quickly retracted most of its marketing, but prior to Friday, club leadership had declined to explicitly say the name would be changed.

The team said the new name will be announced "in the next few weeks," and that an updated wordmark and crest would follow in the summer.

"The club extends our heartfelt thanks to our supporters, whose passionate voices we deeply value -- not just for their unwavering support but also for their honest and critical feedback," majority owner Jennifer Epstein said in a statement.

"We could not have completed this process without your input. We aim to build a lasting legacy that makes all our fans feel welcome, connected, and proud to wear our colors and cheer our name for generations to come."

Boston was awarded an NWSL expansion franchise in 2023 but continues to face several hurdles ahead of its expected launch a year from now.

The team's entire expansion bid was dependent on an ambitious private-public partnership with the city of Boston to renovate White Stadium and share the space with Boston Public Schools athletics.

The budget for the stadium has roughly doubled since it was first proposed in 2023, and the plan faces ongoing legal and political challenges.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has backed the project for nearly two years. She is up for reelection this year, and the stadium has become a point of focus for mayoral candidate Josh Kraft -- the son of billionaire New England Patriots and New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft.

Demolition of the dilapidated 66-year-old White Stadium began last month, leaving less than a year to reconstruct the stadium and have it ready for the next NWSL season.

"Our current expectation is that we will be ready to launch [Boston] in 2026," NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said last week.

Boston is slated to launch alongside a team from Denver next year, which will bring the NWSL to 16 teams.

The 2025 National Women's Soccer League season is upon us, and ESPN's MVP Tracker is back with it.

Just like last year, we will regularly assess the MVP race, combining our data and metrics with our own assessment of play as religious observers of the league. However, this year we'll kick things off with a look at who could be in the MVP race, from the NWSL's newfound stars primed to improve upon last year's performances, to new names with the potential to enter the national discussion.

- Stream LIVE: Kansas City Current vs. Portland Thorns, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Who could be the 2025 NWSL MVP? Inevitably, someone who isn't on this list will insert themselves into the conversation (see: Vanessa DiBernardo and Emily Sams last year). Good thing we'll be keeping tabs regularly. Let's look at the preseason field from strongest shots to outside chances.

RETURNING FAVORITES

Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current forward: Until NWSL defenses prove otherwise, we have every reason to believe that last year's MVP and Golden Boot winner will continue to terrorize opponents. Chawinga set a new league record with 20 goals last season, and it's hardly hyperbole to think she could repeat that feat if she stays healthy, since she got better last year as she adapted to the league. In this case, the reigning MVP really is the favorite to repeat.

Barbra Banda, Orlando Pride forward: Like last year, the scoring battle between Banda and Chawinga should be gripping. Banda's scoring dropped off briefly in the fall, but she had the last laugh as a league double-winner, including a goal in the semifinal win over the Current. She's a threat every time she gets near goal, and with Marta plus a talented midfield around her, Banda looks primed for repeat success.

RETURNING CHALLENGERS

Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit forward: Rodman's MVP-candidate season was overshadowed by Banda and Chawinga last year. Still, Rodman is one of the most electrifying players in the NWSL right now, a player who doesn't just score goals, but takes over games. If she stays healthy and available -- she's still managing her back in the early part of the season, and she has openly discussed a move to Europe at some point -- Rodman will be in the conversation again.

Ann-Katrin Berger, NJ/NY Gotham FC goalkeeper: The 2024 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year was a game changer for Gotham, ranking second in save percentage and goals against per 90 -- and Almuth Schult, leader in both categories, did not return to Kansas City. Berger led the league in post-shot expected goals minus goals against (and the same measurement per 90'), a sign of her value. She is also the catalyst for quick counterattacks.

Emily Sams, Orlando Pride defender: Sams was the best defender in the NWSL last year, and she returns to a championship Orlando team that only got better in the offseason. One wrinkle worth watching: Sams lined up as a fullback in the Challenge Cup to allow for Rafaelle's return to the field. Might we see more of this moving forward?

READY TO ENTER THE RACE?

Jaedyn Shaw, North Carolina Courage midfielder: A change of scenery could be just what one of the brightest young American attacking talents needs to enter the MVP race. North Carolina's style of play fits Shaw's technical, visionary skill set perfectly. Few people in the league can play a better final pass than Shaw. If her addition is the catalyst to the Courage cracking into the top four, she'll be in the MVP conversation.

Racheal Kundananji, Bay FC forward: Until the recent $1.1 million transfer of USWNT defender Naomi Girma to Chelsea, Kundananji was the most expensive player in the world. It took her a little time to fully adapt to the NWSL, but by season's end she was in free-flowing, stand-on-the-ball-and-showboat form. She was first in the NWSL in expected assists and (by some margin) successful take-ons last year, per FBRef. Can she put together a full season in 2025?

Leicy Santos, Washington Spirit midfielder: Like head coach Jonatan Giraldez, Santos arrived midseason in 2024 and quickly found success. Now, she has a full season to settle in as a focal point of the Spirit's midfield. She's off to a good start after scoring a stellar free kick for an equalizer in the Challenge Cup.

DARK HORSES AND NEWCOMERS

Gabi Portilho, NJ/NY Gotham FC forward: Portilho could become the centerpiece of a team that has, despite its numerous stars, succeeded by committee over the past couple of years. She's a crafty Brazilian forward whose skill set is likely to draw the attention of defenders and fans alike.

Ally Sentnor, Utah Royals forward: The Sentnor hype train picked up some passengers at the recent SheBelieves Cup. The Royals were sneakily good in the back half of 2024, and they should be much improved this season with the addition of more high-quality international talent and a full season under head coach Jimmy Coenraets. Claudia Zornoza and Mina Tanaka will likely do some heavy lifting, and Sentnor could be a beneficiary.

Delphine Cascarino, San Diego Wave FC winger: Is San Diego going to be good this year? The jury's out about the NWSL's main mystery team on the field after a year of immense, high-profile turnover. It is more likely to be a rebuilding year in San Diego, but if the Wave can surprise the rest of the league, quick, confident Cascarino -- who ranked in the 95th percentile in take-ons per 90 last year, per FBRef -- could be a reason why.

Alyssa Thompson, Angel City FC forward: There's mystery surrounding the NWSL's other SoCal team, which enters the 2025 season without a full-time head coach. Thompson came alive in the back half of 2024, tallying five goals and two assists after the Olympic break and earning a recall to the USWNT. If that form carries into 2025, the 20-year-old former No. 1 draft pick could be primed for an individual breakout season -- and potentially a reason Angel City overachieves.

NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN

Bia Zaneratto, Kansas City Current forward: Had Zaneratto stayed healthy last year, she might have been Chawinga's main competition for MVP. Zaneratto finished fifth in the NWSL in goals plus assists per 90 (0.94), a measure of her impact and dominance in her first season in the league. The problem was that she played only 866 minutes due to injury, and she has still not been activated from the season-ending injury list. If she can get back on the field soon and stay healthy, her combination of strength and technical precision will make her a force. She proved that last year.

Mallory Swanson, Chicago Stars FC forward: Swanson is one of the best players in the league, period. She has been in and around the MVP conversation in recent years (more so in 2022), and she should be again this year depending on her availability. Yet to report to the team on personal leave, and Chicago hasn't provided any information on when she'll be available.

Croix Bethune, Washington Spirit midfielder: Bethune tied the single-season assists record (10) and won NWSL Rookie of the Year despite tearing her meniscus in late August. She was a legitimate MVP candidate until that point, and Bethune's play earned her a debut with the USWNT and an Olympic gold medal. Will she be back to full strength for most of the season? If so, her sophomore campaign is one to watch closely.

The 2025 National Women's Soccer League season kicks off Friday, and the big on-field question is an unfamiliar one: Is there a big four pulling away from the rest of the pack?

That was abundantly clear last season, and the top squads from 2024 have all bolstered their sides with strong additions in the offseason. Several teams look like they are improved, however, and they will hope to restore the NWSL's much-lauded parity in 2025.

Did the North Carolina Courage, who finished a distant fifth, make arguably the biggest intraleague acquisition of the offseason by landing U.S. star Jaedyn Shaw? Is Angel City ready to compete? What exactly is happening in San Diego? And what should we make of the Houston Dash and Utah Royals?

- Stream LIVE: Kansas City Current vs. Portland Thorns, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Here's a look at what to expect from each of the teams this season with ESPN's Cesar Hernandez, Ryan Rosenblatt, Megan Swanick and Joseph Lowery contributing. The intro is by Jeff Kassouf.

ANGEL CITY FC

2024 regular-season record: 12th place, 7-6-13, 24 points

Biggest offseason moves: Plenty of changes for a team that has brought in Mark Parsons as sporting director, moved on from coach Becki Tweed and signed some eye-catching names such as Julie Dufour, Miyabi Moriya, Savy King and Alanna Kennedy. Over the winter and during its ongoing rebuild, it has also moved into the "largest dedicated performance center" in the NWSL.

Biggest question heading into the season: Who will be the permanent coach? When Tweed was sacked in December, Eleri Earnshaw was selected as interim coach before Parsons stepped in and hired Sam Laity as the new interim. Regarding when a permanent coach will be selected, Angel City's sporting director has noted that he's willing to take his time.

"If the right person is available sooner rather than later, fine," Parsons told the L.A. Times. "If we have to wait for that right person and they're not available until the summer, then we're open to that as well."

2025 will be a success if ... they qualify for the playoffs. The bar should be higher for a team that's the most valuable club in women's sports, but there is no doubt that it is still shaking off a 2024 that not only had just seven wins and changes on and off the field but also points deductions and a fine due to salary cap violations.

The good news is that a youthful renaissance isn't out of the question. King and U.S. Young Female Player of the Year finalist Kennedy Fuller are ones to keep an eye on --- as are a few players added from the NCAA --- but the biggest impact should arrive through the Thompson sisters, Alyssa and Gisele. In February, they made history as just the second pair of sisters to be featured in the same USWNT XI. -- Hernandez

BAY FC

2024 regular-season record: 7th place, 11-1-14, 34 points

Biggest offseason moves: Bay FC finished the season so well that they didn't want to make major changes in the offseason. Alex Loera and Savy King departed, with Kelli Hubly coming into the defense and Taylor Huff leading a crop of exciting rookies, but Bay mostly decided to let their core keep growing around Racheal Kundananji, Asisat Oshoala and Abby Dahlkemper.

Biggest question heading into the season: Who is going to play in goal? Katelyn Rowland made the surprising decision to retire during preseason training, leaving Bay with a trio of goalkeepers in Emmie Allen, Melissa Lowder and Jordan Silkowitz who have played a combined zero NWSL minutes in their careers. Lowder and Silkowitz at least have a little experience playing abroad, but all three are untested and Bay are now unexpectedly desperate for one of the trio to step up. If not, they may have to dive into the transfer market at an inopportune time.

2025 will be a success if ... they look like the team that finished last season. Bay were a bit of a mess for the first few months, trying to figure out who they were and really struggling at the back, but the addition of Dahlkemper turned things around. After acquiring the center back, Bay went from the worst defensive team in the league to one that allowed more than one goal in just two of its last nine matches. That allowed Bay to go 5-1-3 down the stretch, make the playoffs and nearly knock off the Spirit in the postseason. If that is the team that starts this season, then it is in for an exciting sophomore season. -- Rosenblatt

CHICAGO STARS FC

2024 regular-season record: 8th place, 10-2-14, 32 points

Biggest offseason moves: Chicago didn't make any marquee moves in the offseason. It did pick up some reinforcements in the midfield, including 29-year-old Spanish midfielder, Maitane Lopez, from Gotham, as well as 20-year-old Japanese midfielder Manaka Hayashi. Hayashi captained Young Nadeshiko in their runner-up performance at the 2024 Under-20 World Cup. Another notable new addition is U.S. forward Micayla Johnson, who joins the Stars via the U18 entry mechanism. Seventeen-year-old Johnson made three starts in six games for the US at the 2024 U17 World Cup.

Biggest question heading into the season: Will Mallory Swanson be ready to play? The star USWNT forward -- who scored a team-high four goals at the Olympic Games, including the game-winning goal in the gold medal match, and was joint top scorer for Chicago last season-- didn't report to training camp at the end of January due to personal reasons. Her present status remains unclear, and while the club and fans respect the immense talent's time away, Chicago would face serious questions without her. Beyond Swanson, fans may wonder whether the club capitalized this offseason, signing the necessary talent to stay competitive in this league. That said, Brazilian forward Ludmila and Canadian midfielder Julia Grosso will both be entering their second season in NWSL, and could make a difference if they have a second-year boost.

2025 will be a success if ... Chicago returns to the postseason. The club was the eighth and final team to make the playoffs last season, and another postseason appearance is the benchmark for success, though doing so isn't guaranteed. The Stars (rebranded from Chicago Red Stars late last year) have had a difficult few years, and after a handful of disappointing seasons, building on 2024's postseason berth is pivotal for the direction of the club.. -- Swanick

NJ/NY GOTHAM FC

2024 regular-season record: 3rd place, 17-5-4, 56 points

Biggest offseason moves: Gotham saw some high-profile names depart in the offseason. That includes USWNT gold medalists Crystal Dunn, Jenna Nighswonger and Lynn Biyendolo, who left for Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Seattle, respectively. That also includes forward Yazmeen Ryan, who has made a number of impressive appearances for the U.S. post-Olympics. As part of their deal that sent Biyendolo to Seattle, they signed 25-year-old midfielder Jaelin Howell. Their biggest incoming acquisition is Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho, who was key to Brazil's Olympic silver medal and was nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. As for Gotham's rookie class, they signed both the 2024 Big Ten Forward of the Year, Khyah Harper (University of Minnesota), and the 2024 Big Ten Defender of the Year, Lilly Reale. Ghanaian forward Stella Nyamekye, 19, will also come aboard.

Biggest question heading into the season: Can they stay a top-four team amid a season rife with changes? They started last year riddled with injuries and navigated a tough schedule as they worked to support a slew of big names with big international duties. Gotham's Spanish manager, Juan Carlos Amoros, enters Year 3 in NWSL navigating significant adjustments to his personnel. Maintaining the team's success with a notably different roster is his next big challenge.

2025 will be a success if ... they maintain their spot as one of the elite teams in the top four. In 2024, the NWSL's top-four teams were a significant step above the rest of the table. Gotham's lofty aspirations require them to stay there. Despite all their departures, they're still deep and talented, and they brought in a few exciting names in the offseason. With Midge Purce returning from injury, the ingredients are certainly there to maintain their spot toward the top and potentially, compete for a spot in the championship. -- Swanick

HOUSTON DASH

2024 regular-season record: 14th place, 5-5-16, 20 points

Biggest offseason moves: The Dash were aggressive this winter, starting with the big-money acquisition of Yazmeen Ryan. They also added Messiah Bright, Danielle Colaprico, Delanie Sheehan, Abby Smith, Christen Westphal and one of the stars of the rookie class, Maggie Graham. Some of that was funded by the transfer of Tarciane to Lyon in one of the most expensive outbound transfers in NWSL history, while Andressa also departed.

Biggest question heading into the season: How quickly can Fabrice Gautrat instill his style of play? The new coach will likely try to build the Dash into a more possession-minded team, and the signings they made in the offseason should help him do that, but there's been so much turnover throughout the squad that it's probably going to take some time for everyone to get comfortable together. With Houston hoping to squeeze into the playoffs, it is going to have to come sooner rather than later, which is a tall task for a first-time head coach.

2025 will be a success if ... they are a competitive side with a strong foundation. That's a low bar, but this is a club that didn't really have a head coach last season, fired its general manager, whose ownership is exploring a sale and is coming off of a last place finish. They did a good job bringing in a ton of proven veterans who should be able to stabilize things and help move them into a more proactive style of play, but there's still a lack of punch up front outside of Ryan and a full overhaul is tough to do in just one season. If the Dash come out of 2025 looking like they have an identity and direction, with a real foundation to build off of, they'll be really happy. And that doesn't mean they can't make the playoffs too, because if things click early then that is very much on the table. -- Rosenblatt

KANSAS CITY CURRENT

2024 regular-season record: 4th place, 16-7-3, 55 points

Biggest offseason moves: The Current went from one of the league's worst, most dysfunctional teams in 2023 to one of the best in 2024, their first year under Vlatko Andonovski. This offseason has primarily been about retaining the core, led by a new contract that will keep Temwa Chawinga in Kansas City through 2028, but they have made a couple of notable additions. Rocky Rodríguez came over in a trade with Angel City to boost a midfield that was thin at times last season, and the Current filled their hole at goalkeeper by signing Brazil's No. 1, Lorena.

Biggest question heading into the season: Can they stay fit? The idealized version of the Current can absolutely win the NWSL Shield and championship, but there are some pretty hefty health concerns in Kansas City. Gabrielle Robinson was rounding into one of the league's best center backs before tearing her ACL, while Bia Zaneratto looked like an early MVP contender before suffering a foot injury. You can't compete with the very best without elite talent in the center of defense and up top, and K.C. could have that if Robinson and Zaneratto are at full fitness. How they return from injury could hold the key to the Current's season.

2025 will be a success if ... the Current claim their first major trophy. Whether that's the Shield or championship, the expectations in Kansas City are rightfully very high. After all, they were one of the best teams in the league a year ago and finished third. Now they should be healthier, with Robinson and Zaneratto returning, plus Alex Pfeiffer is also making her way back from injury. Claire Hutton, who was sensational as an 18-year-old rookie, should take another step forward and Rodríguez and Lorena are well-targeted signings to shore up weaknesses. All of that should strengthen a team that, when things get tough, can still give Chawinga the ball and watch her work. The sky's the limit for the Current, which is why it's all about silverware in 2025. -- Rosenblatt

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

2024 regular-season record: 5th place, 12-3-11, 39 points

Biggest offseason moves: North Carolina made one of the most notable offseason moves when it signed 20-year-old USWNT midfielder/forward Jaedyn Shaw from San Diego Wave. Shaw is a versatile and creative player who prefers to play centrally as a No. 10, but can be used in a number of attacking roles. It also signed first-team All-America defender Brooklyn Courtnall out of USC, as well as 20-year-old Japanese midfielder Shinomi Koyama, who captained Japan in their second-place finish at the U20 World Cup last year.

Biggest question heading into the season: With the addition of Shaw, how will Sean Nahas organize his attacking talent? Shaw has been used in a number of attacking positions for both club and country, but likes to have the ball at her feet in a central role, where she can split lines and pick off passes as a No. 10. Ashley Sanchez, the team's top goal scorer last season, is a similar type of player and performed well as No. 10 last season. There's a number of ways Nahas can use both of them at the same time, including moving one to the wing, or perhaps deploying Shaw as a striker. Maximizing Shaw's talent, alongside the skill set of Sanchez, as well North Carolina's other attacking players, will be essential for Nahas if the Courage hope to break into the top teams.

2025 will be a success if ... they can break into the top-four teams. Last year, four teams (Orlando, Washington, Gotham, Kansas City) stood apart at the top of the standings with just a five-point gap between them, but a 16-point gap between fourth-place Kansas City and the fifth-place North Carolina. One essential way they can level up? Knocking in more goals. In 2024, 16 Courage players scored (that's great versatility) but Ashley Sanchez was their top scorer with five, and their total team xG was toward the bottom of the table. With 18 of their games in '24 decided by one goal or less, a big-time goal scorer or two would make a huge difference. -- Swanick

ORLANDO PRIDE

2024 regular-season record: 1st place, 18-6-2, 60 points

Biggest offseason moves: After topping the table in the regular season and winning the NWSL Championship last year, Orlando signed legend Marta to a new two-year contract, extended key center back Emily Sams, and added right back Oihane Hernández, who appeared in six games for Spain at the 2023 World Cup. Notably, Adriana moved to Saudi Arabia after scoring six goals for Orlando in 2024. Even with her departure, the roster features a slew of returners and looks incredibly strong heading into the new season.

Biggest question heading into the season: Do they have a Plan B or Plan C? With a strong defensive structure under manager Seb Hines, excellent goalkeeping from Anna Moorhouse, and top-tier talent in every line, it sure seems like there are far more answers than questions in Orlando these days. They look like a threat to repeat. Still, I do wonder: especially without Adriana's creativity, how will the Pride deal with teams who force them to have the lion's share of the ball, denying Barbra Banda the space to run in behind? It's notable that six of Orlando's eight games that didn't end with them putting another tick in the "W" column involved them keeping at least 50% possession.

2025 will be a success if ... there's another trophy. And if this team plays a lot like they did in 2024, they'll have a great shot to claim one. The roster still looks excellent and there will be plenty of cohesion from last year's trophy-filled season to this one. There's every reason to believe the Orlando Pride will be among the best teams in the NWSL yet again in 2025 -- and collecting more hardware is a realistic goal. -- Lowery

PORTLAND THORNS

2024 regular-season record: 6th place, 10-4-12, 34 points

Biggest offseason moves: It was a tumultuous first season of new ownership in Portland, but the Bhathal family made some big moves in the winter to stabilize the Thorns. They announced plans for their own training facility and overhauled the front office, with Jeff Agoos coming in as President and General Manager of Soccer Operations. Agoos' background is exclusively on the men's side, but he will be assisted by Lucy Rushton, who was previously at Bay FC, as the Thorns appear to be emphasizing analytics in their team-building.

Biggest question heading into the season: How will the Thorns replace all the players they've lost? Sophia (Smith) Wilson is pregnant, Becky Sauerbrunn retired, Kelli Hubly left in free agency and Morgan Weaver, Marie Müller and Nicole Payne all suffered season-ending knee injuries. That puts a slew of holes in the Portland squad. Bella Bixby is back from maternity leave, Daiane and Sam Hiatt will be expected to step in at the back, Deyna Castellanos can help up front and Pietra Tordin could be one of the league's top rookies, but the Thorns are going to need a handful of returning players to really step up in 2025 too if they want to have a chance of making the playoffs.

2025 will be a success if ... the Thorns develop an identity. It is going to be a rough season in Portland, which is unusual for one of the league's proudest clubs, but they were already a team in transition and now that they'll be without Smith and the trio of injured players, they're in a really tough spot. It wasn't really clear who the Thorns were last season, other than waiting for Wilson's moments of magic, and they haven't given us a sense of what they'll be this year either, but it probably has to start with the midfield of Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming, Hina Sugita and Olivia Moultrie. Those are players you can build around and help you create a clear vision of who you are. That's what the Thorns need to do this season, even if absences make results hard to come by at times. -- Rosenblatt

RACING LOUISVILLE FC

2024 regular-season record: 9th place, 7-7-12, 28 points

Biggest offseason moves: Louisville signed a number of college graduates in the offseason. That includes 22-year-old former Nebraska forward Sarah Weber, who scored 43 goals in 78 appearances for the Cornhuskers and was named first-team All Big Ten three times.

Biggest question heading into the season: Have they done what it takes to break into the top half of the table? Bev Yanez leads Racing for her second year as their manager, with the club's eyes on breaking into the top half of the table (and if they achieve that, the postseason). They've brought in some young talent with exciting potential, but may be relying on their spine from 2024 to level up in order to break in.

2025 will be a success if ... they make the playoffs. Racing Louisville finished 2024 in ninth place and just short of the playoffs in their fourth season in the league. And while ninth place in 2024 meant they were just shy of a playoff spot (the league expanded to eight playoff berths in '24) in an expanded table of 14 teams, Louisville has finished ninth every year for four straight years, and has yet to make the postseason. Finding their way past that hurdle is the measure of success in '25. -- Swanick

SAN DIEGO WAVE FC

2024 regular-season record: 10th place, 6-7-13, 25 points

Biggest offseason moves: San Diego are seeking a much-needed reset after a disastrous 2024. Different owners have officially stepped in, president Jill Ellis has stepped out, and on the sideline, Jonas Eidevall has taken over as coach following a lackluster season for the Wave that had three different options running the show.

On the roster, plenty of talented but new faces to the league will have big cleats to fill for a Wave side that no longer has marquee leaders such as Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw and Naomi Girma, among others.

Biggest question heading into the season: Are the changes enough? For a team that had issues ranging from former employees suing the club and the NWSL, to players such as Shaw and Girma seeking exits, there's clearly much to be fixed beyond what's happening on the field.

That literal field is also a concern. When you consider that the pitch conditions have been highly questionable at Snapdragon Stadium, things could become far worse with another tenant -- MLS' San Diego FC -- now playing at the venue as well.

2025 will be a success if ... at the risk of providing a vague San Diego-like answer, it'll be a success if the good vibes return. Supporters of the team have been justifiably bitter about how the team has been run and are just as desperate to see a cultural and sporting reset. Alterations have followed in recent months, but there are still a number of unknowns about how it'll all play out.

At the very least, an influential figure such as goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan feels optimistic about what can happen on the sporting side through a new coaching setup.

"[It's] going to be huge. It's a complete new staff, which kind of is an opportunity to start over," Sheridan said in January. "That's a whole tactical change." -- Hernandez

SEATTLE REIGN FC

2024 regular-season record: 13th place, 6-5-15, 23 points

Biggest offseason moves: Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams) is here! After a brutally poor attacking season where Seattle finished in the bottom four in both goals scored and xG, the club made adding talent to the forward line a priority. Biyendolo arrived alongside goalkeeper Cassie Miller in a blockbuster trade from Gotham in exchange for Jaelin Howell and a couple of other assets. Miller, for her part, could end up starting in goal in 2025. Elsewhere, versatile defender Madison Curry joined the club, along with talented forward Maddie Dahlien and defender Emily Mason from the college game.

Biggest question heading into the season: Can Biyendolo transform this attack? There were plenty of issues last season for the Reign, including the league's leakiest defense that allowed 44 goals. Still, the underlying numbers weren't nearly as worried about the defense as they were about the attack. According to FBref, Seattle finished eighth in non-penalty xG allowed last year, compared to 12th in non-penalty xG generated. But with the NWSL's all-time leading scorer in the squad? Ji So-Yun and Jess Fishlock might just have the reliable final third outlet they lacked to end last year.

2025 will be a success if ... Seattle pushes back into the playoff picture. After finishing a disappointing 13th in the table and missing the postseason in 2024, the bar is clear for the Reign this year: finish above the line. Laura Harvey has some real work to do to make her squad more comfortable on the ball, but there are enough pieces for this team to push up the standings after a positive offseason. -- Lowery

UTAH ROYALS

2024 regular-season record: 11th place, 7-4-15, 25 points

Biggest offseason moves: After a difficult reintroduction into the NWSL last season, it wasn't a surprise to see a number new faces move to Utah this winter. Fresh talent arrived in each line of Jimmy Coenraets' team. In attack, Aisha Solorzano joined after her standout season with Tijuana. 15-year-old Kherrington Ream also became Utah's youngest-ever player. At the base of midfield, Alex Loera arrived via a trade with Bay FC to add her useful timing and ball movement. And in defense, young talent Ana María Guzmán signed on loan from Bayern Munich while ex-Barcelona defender Nuria Rábano joined from Wolfsburg.

Biggest question heading into the season: Can the Royals continue to rise under Coenraets? After taking over as the interim manager following Amy Rodriguez's June exit, Utah's xG differential improved from a league-worst -1.39 per game to a seventh-best -0.03, according to American Soccer Analysis. Under the youngest manager in NWSL history, Utah climbed from 14th to 11th in the table. Of course, summer signings Cloé Lacasse, Claudia Zornoza, and Mina Tanaka made a major impact under Coenraets. But if Utah's 5W-1D-4L form from the end of last year continues, it will play at a playoff clip in 2025.

2025 will be a success if ... Utah start far, far faster than it did in 2024 and finishes above the playoff line. The Royals managed just two wins in their first 16 games last season. But after a group of savvy midseason moves, key offseason additions, and a full preseason for Coenraets to implement his style, it's not hard to picture Utah earning a playoff berth. A significant rebound from last year's disappointment is on the table. -- Lowery

WASHINGTON SPIRIT

2024 regular-season record: 2nd place, 18-2-6, 56 points

Biggest offseason moves: With an incredibly talented squad (when healthy) at Jonatan Giráldez's disposal, the Spirit didn't take a ton of big swings this winter. Still, they made it a point to secure a ball-winner in midfield following Andi Sullivan's torn ACL in October -- Narumi Miura signed in free agency to fill that void after two seasons with the Courage. Elsewhere, Mexican international Rebeca Bernal adds quality to Washington's backline and has played plenty of minutes as a No. 6, too. Really, the Spirit's offseason had the understandable makings of a team fine-tuning, rather than overhauling.

Biggest question heading into the season: Can this team get healthy and stay healthy? We've already mentioned Sullivan's long-term injury. Star attacking midfielder Croix Bethune tore her meniscus in August. Dangerous attacker Ouleymata Sarr has been dealing with a back injury and didn't feature for the Spirit since September. Trinity Rodman has been dealing with a back issue of her own since last summer's Olympics. If Bethune, who should be fit to start the season, Sarr, who doesn't seem to be quite as far along in her recovery, and Rodman are near 100% for most of the year and ready for the postseason, this squad will thrive.

2025 will be a success if ... there's a trophy celebration. If Giráldez has access to his most important pieces, there's no reason the Washington Spirit shouldn't push for at least one trophy this season. They were within touching distance of last year's championship, even with brutal injury luck. They had a top-three attack and defense based on both goals and xG allowed, according to FBref. Rodman is elite. Bethune is a game-changer. The back half is combative. There's a whole lot to like in the nation's capital. -- Lowery

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A teammate tossed a towel over Jae-Lyn Withers' head as he walked through the postgame handshake line wiping away tears. It was a small gesture meant to shield the North Carolina veteran from additional scrutiny after his lane violation with 4.1 seconds to play erased a made free throw that would have tied the score, sending the Tar Heels to a third loss to Duke this season, 74-71 on Friday, and, perhaps, sealing their fate on the outside of the NCAA tournament bubble.

Withers was part of a frenetic comeback attempt in the ACC tournament semifinal by the Heels, who trailed by 21 points at halftime and as many as 24 in the second half, only to utterly flummox Duke -- which was playing without the injured Cooper Flagg -- down the stretch, trimming their deficit to one as Ven-Allen Lubin stepped to the free throw line with just seconds remaining.

Lubin, who finished with a game-high 20 points, missed the front end but drained the second to tie the score at 71. Officials waved off the bucket, however, whistling Withers for the lane violation and giving the ball back to Duke with a one-point lead. Kon Knueppel connected on two free throws at the other end, and RJ Davis missed a last-gasp 3 to seal UNC's fate.

"It was a lot more to blame than a lane violation," Lubin said afterward. "We made a ton of mistakes throughout the game. We were in that position trying to dig ourselves out of it and come out with a win or get to overtime."

This was the prevailing mantra in the aftermath of an emotional loss for the Tar Heels: They had done enough to lose long before that violation, and yet this was still a team more than deserving of a spot in the field of 68.

Playing without Flagg, Duke's big men -- Khaman Maluach and Patrick Ngongba II most prominently -- proved a frustrating obstacle in the early going, as UNC managed just 24 first-half points and went into the locker room after a 15-0 Blue Devils run.

Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis used the break to remind his team of the numerous other games in which it fell behind big early only to surge back in the second half. It's a lesson that proved valuable for Friday's performance but also one that underscored the biggest issues UNC faces as it waits for the committee to evaluate a résumé that features too few big wins and too many frustrating losses in the first half of the season.

"I think we've shown the last couple of weeks that we're a tournament team," RJ Davis said of the Heels, who are 9-3 since a blowout loss to Duke on Feb. 1. "Look at the trajectory of our whole season, the way we dealt with adversity and our perseverance -- especially these last couple weeks. You couldn't ask for a better team that goes through all that adversity and criticism and still perseveres. I think that's a tournament team for you right there. That's what March is all about."

Hubert Davis refused to respond to questions about the lane violation or UNC's spot on the tournament bubble, noting his team has lived on the bubble for weeks and has largely played its best ball in those situations.

"For our guys to stay focused on what is real, continue to prepare, practice and play; whomever we're playing, keep our eyes focused on the competition right in front of us and be the best that we can be," he said. "And for a month and a half, we basically played must-win games. In that situation, our team played the best."

The near-collapse by Duke was, according to coach Jon Scheyer, a learning opportunity ahead of what the Blue Devils hope will be a deep NCAA tournament run. But in the moment, it felt like little more than utter chaos.

"It was a blur," he said.

Withers' bucket with 16:02 left in the second half stopped the bleeding for UNC, which had trailed by 24 points. The Heels cut the lead to 13 at the under-12-minute timeout and six at the under-four.

Seth Trimble drilled two free throws with 32 seconds to play to pull UNC to within a point. Duke missed a free throw on the other end before Maluach was whistled for his fifth foul, putting Lubin at the line with a chance at the lead. The lane violation on Withers followed, seeming to take all the air out of UNC's comeback attempt.

"I'm not sure that's happened before," Scheyer said. "In that setting, in that situation. But for our team, every week, we've watched different game situations throughout the year, so we've seen a lot of stuff as a team."

Duke advances to the ACC tournament final against Louisville. Flagg will remain sidelined because of an ankle injury.

UNC will wait and wonder whether its most exhilarating performance of the season also will be the one that ended its hopes for a tournament bid.

"We really had that game," Trimble said. "I think we're an overtime session away from winning that game. But I'm not bashing [Withers]. We do any other things different, and it's a different game."