When the USWNT reached the Olympic final, NWSL chief Jessica Berman said she couldn’t wait to capitalize on its impact to enhance the league. With Team USA’s gold medal win, the NWSL’s popularity is going to soar dramatically. Why? Because 15 out of 18 players from Emma Hayes’ USWNT Olympic squad ply their trade for NWSL clubs. Meanwhile, for the same reason, perhaps North Carolina Courage coach Sean Nahas is ahead of other women’s soccer leagues. He confidently claimed that the NWSL is the best talent-breeding ground among women’s soccer leagues.

Shortly after Team USA ousted Brazil in Paris and secured its record-extending fifth Olympic gold, Nahas took to X and showed his pride in being a part of the NWSL. “No one can argue anymore that the @NWSL isn’t the best & most competitive league in the world.” Sean Nahas wrote. Besides having 14 Olympic gold medalists across teams, the NWSL, according to Nahas is more competitive than its counterparts. “Other leagues are great. But the structure, competitiveness each week, & the talent in the league where it’s at, it will only continue to grow & get better. Development can happen here!,” he added.

The NC Courage boss’s expectations would indeed turn true, as the NWSL chief Berman is set to make the best of the USWNT’s Olympic milestone. Speaking of development, see Team USA’s most-celebrated Olympic forward trio. Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith have all made their breakthroughs since they embarked on their NWSL stints. Anyhow, three USWNT stars, Lindsay Horan, Emily Fox, and Korbin Albert play in European leagues. Horan is with France’s Olympique Lyon. Fox plays for Arsenal and Albert is with PSG.

Besides, the USWNT’s win, the Paris Olympics was a true comeback for the NWSL regarding representation. No other big leagues fielded as many Olympians as the US-based women’s league.

USWNT’s gold medal match with Brazil was a statement on the NWSL’s staggering representation

Courtesy of the USWNT’s premature World Cup exit in 2023, the tournament was a disaster for the NWSL as well. The world championship knockouts featured more players from the English Women’s Super League, Spain’s Liga F, and France’s Premiere League. However, the Paris Olympics had a different story to tell. The American league boasted a whopping 56 players in the Olympic soccer tournament, way ahead of its European counterparts. The Olympic semi-finals had 28 NWSL players, compared to Liga F’s 24, and the German league’s 18.

Powerhouse leagues such as the WSL and the French League tremendously bowed out to the NWSL in terms of representation. The final between the USA and Brazil had a staggering 26 players from the NWSL. This means, 11 players in Brazil’s 22-player Olympic squad ply their trade in the US. This bunch includes the Selecao’s all-time great Marta, who plays for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride. Notably, only 10 Brazil stars play in their domestic league, Brasileirao Feminino.

Hence, it wasn’t that extra of the NC Courage coach to assert the NWSL’s supremacy. Do you agree with him? Tell us in the comments.