MAJOR roster updates, schedule release, new ticket provider, staff changes and more!

Happy 2025, y’all! It’s shaping up to be an incredible season for the Courage following some major offseason moves. I wanted to send a newsletter this week as there’s plenty to cover, and the full schedule will release today at noon, so things will only accelerate from here!

We’ll ramp up in the next few weeks toward regular weekly coverage. The podcast will also return in a few weeks with some preseason coverage, followed by our usual weekly game recaps and a look ahead at the next opponents.

We also plan to expand our scope this year in some exciting ways, so stay tuned!

First up …

Roster updates and staff changes

Roster updates have been coming fast and furious over the last few weeks. If you’ve been keeping track, hopefully this will serve as a good refresher before the 2025 season begins.

Here’s a brief recap of the exciting changes, starting with the most recognizable name.

Arrivals

• Jaedyn Shaw – The Courage acquired the 20-year-old star and put some serious $$$ into the deal, one of the largest league transfer packages to date (detailed at the link). It’s worth noting that The Equalizer confirmed that the Wave were operating under the new CBA’s requirements for a mutual agreement for a trade, and that Shaw had made the request for a trade. Signed through the 2026 season.

• Shinomi Koyama – I started to type, “Another day, another midfielder,” but this isn’t just any midfielder. Koyama captained the Japanese squad through the FIFA U-20 World Cup to earn a silver medal (with Manaka). Presumably, she’ll replace Narumi Miura, serving alongside Denise O’Sullivan in the midfield. Signed through 2027.

• Hannah Betfort – It’s no secret that we struggled in goal productivity in the 2024 season (with the caveat of Kerolin being injured for the bulk of that time). Fans have been clamoring for some strong forward additions. Betfort joins as a free agent from the Utah Royals, where she had a career high 2 goals and 14 chances created last season. Signed through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027.

• Brooklyn Courtnall – Courtnall joins the league as a rookie out of USC, and represents a lot to be excited about, including some desperately needed depth at centerback. It also demonstrates the Courage working recruiting connections beyond North Carolina in the post-draft era, and making sharp, additive deals. Signed through the 2027 season.

Contract extensions

• Manaka Matsukubo – extended through the 2026 season.

• Marisa Bova – the keeper has extended through the 2027 season.

Departures

Sadly, with such a loaded roster last year, we see some heartbreaking departures.

• Former league MVP Kerolin Nicoli departed the squad upon becoming a free agent. She’s … rumored? Confirmed? Honestly, international press coverage is a bit of a mess on this, but it seems like she’s headed to Manchester City.

• Midfielder Narumi Miura became a free agent and left for the Washington Spirit.

• Rookie defenders Julia Dorsey and Landy Mertz were waived. Dorsey had been on loan with Dallas Trinity FC.

• Curt Johnson, with the unusual title of Chief Soccer Officer, departed in early December. For a large part of his tenure, he’d overseen both NCFC and the Courage, though his final year was spent solely working with the Courage. His role will be replaced.

No official status

• Estelle Johnson did not receive a contract extension, but will be invited to preseason camp if she doesn’t strike a deal with another team. She’s currently finishing maternity leave.

• Natalia Staude was on loan to the USL Super League’s Tampa Bay Sun FC through the end of December.

New ticket provider Jump

The Courage became the first professional sports team to sign with Jump, ending the team’s previous relationship with Ticketmaster. Jump will essentially replace Ticketmaster’s services, while adding e-commerce and some fan experience elements to the mix. They’re a startup, which comes with some inherent risk. That said, we’ve been hearing the team at Jump has been doing their homework interacting with the Courage front office, and checking in with the supporters’ group, so I’m optimistic this will be a solid change.

Please note if you’re a season ticket holder, the Courage are asking fans to create an account with Jump immediately.

No imminent sale for the Courage

The rumored sale to billionaire Marc Lasry fell through, according to Sportico. The reasons were a little vague, but the bottom line was that the league declined the proposed structure of the deal.

There haven’t been any signs of new ownership interest since that deal fell apart, and it’s hard to know if that will spark further interest in the Courage, or if it was a one-time opportunity for the near future, as the league and team continue to grow in clout and value.

Around the league and beyond

Whew! That’s certainly plenty of news, so to avoid recapping everything in the NWSL offseason, here are a few quick notes. We’ll likely get into more in the podcast, especially as we square up against each opponent.

• The NWSL will gain its first $1m transfer fee, with Naomi Girma departing the San Diego Wave for Chelsea in a deal totaling around $1.1m according to The Athletic.

• Denver secured the coveted 16th spot in the NWSL and will join Boston in 2026 as teams #15 and #16, respectively. The expansion franchise fee was a whopping $110m according to Sportico, more than double what Boston and Bay FC paid (each around $53m).

• Fun news for Courage fans related to the USWNT. Ashley Sanchez and Casey Murphy were called up to the USWNT Training Camp roster. And for the first time … Ryan Williams was invited to join, as well.

• Coach Emma Hayes is also running a “Futures Camp,” essentially a parallel training came with U-23-eligible players, including Riley Jackson.

That’s it for this week! As always, you can get in touch with tips, suggestions, corrections and more: [email protected].

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