Abby Dahlkemper
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Seventeen Bruins Set to Begin 2025 NWSL Season
March 13, 2025 | Women's Soccer
A total of 17 UCLA women's soccer alumnae will begin the 2025 season on NWSL opening day rosters as the season begins on Friday, March 14.ย
Six members of UCLA's 2024 squad begin their first season in the league - Quincy McMahon (San Diego Wave FC), Jayden Perry (Portland Thorns), Meg Boade (Washington Spirit) and the NJ/NY Gotham FC trio of Ryan Campbell, Sofia Cook and Lilly Reale. ย
Leading the list of UCLA alumnae returning to their teams are Ally Lemos and Viviana Villacorta from reigning NWSL champion Orlando Pride. Lauren Barnes, who has played the most-ever games and minutes of any NWSL player, returns to Seattle Reign FC for her 13th season. Bay FC returns 2013 NCAA champions Abby Dahlkemper and Caprice Dydasco. Ashley Sanchez, who won the NWSL Championship with the Washington Spirit, returns for her second season with the NC Courage. Hailie Mace begins her fifth year with the Kansas City Current, while Sydney Leroux returns for her fourth season with Angel City FC. Jessie Fleming and Reilyn Turner each begin year two with the Portland Thorns. Playing on a new squad in 2025 is 2023 NWSL Champion Delanie Sheehan, who departed Gotham FC to sign in the off-season with the Houston Dash.ย
Additionally, 2013 NCAA champion and All-American Katelyn Rowland joined the coaching staff at the North Carolina Courage as an assistant goalkeeping coach after announcing her retirement following a 10-year playing career.ย
The 2025 season kicks off on Friday, March 14 at 5pm PT with Orlando hosting Chicago on Prime Video and Houston hosting Washington on NWSL+. Eight other teams open their season on Saturday, March 15, with Kansas City hosting Portland at 9:45am PT on ABC, North Carolina playing at Racing Louisville FC at 11am PT on NWSL+, Bay FC playing at Utah at 1:30pm PT on ION and Seattle hosting Gotham FC at 4pm PT on ION. Angel City hosts San Diego on Sunday, March 16 at 12:50pm PT in a match that will be televised on ESPN2.
Bruins on 2025 Opening Day NWSL Rosters
Angel City FC - Sydney Leroux (2008-11)
Bay FC - Abby Dahlkemper (2011-14), Caprice Dydasco (2011-14)
Houston Dash - Delanie Sheehan (2017-20)
Kansas City Current - Hailie Mace (2015-18)
NC Courage - Ashley Sanchez (2017-19)
NJ/NY Gotham FC - Ryan Campbell (2024), Sofia Cook (2022-24), Lilly Reale (2021-24)
Orlando Pride - Ally Lemos (2022-23), Viviana Villacorta (2017-20)
Portland Thorns - Jessie Fleming (2016-19), Jayden Perry (2021-24), Reilyn Turner (2020-23)
Seattle Reign FC - Lauren Barnes (2007-10)
San Diego Wave FC - Quincy McMahon (2021-24)
Washington Spirit - Meg Boade (2024)
Six members of UCLA's 2024 squad begin their first season in the league - Quincy McMahon (San Diego Wave FC), Jayden Perry (Portland Thorns), Meg Boade (Washington Spirit) and the NJ/NY Gotham FC trio of Ryan Campbell, Sofia Cook and Lilly Reale. ย
Leading the list of UCLA alumnae returning to their teams are Ally Lemos and Viviana Villacorta from reigning NWSL champion Orlando Pride. Lauren Barnes, who has played the most-ever games and minutes of any NWSL player, returns to Seattle Reign FC for her 13th season. Bay FC returns 2013 NCAA champions Abby Dahlkemper and Caprice Dydasco. Ashley Sanchez, who won the NWSL Championship with the Washington Spirit, returns for her second season with the NC Courage. Hailie Mace begins her fifth year with the Kansas City Current, while Sydney Leroux returns for her fourth season with Angel City FC. Jessie Fleming and Reilyn Turner each begin year two with the Portland Thorns. Playing on a new squad in 2025 is 2023 NWSL Champion Delanie Sheehan, who departed Gotham FC to sign in the off-season with the Houston Dash.ย
Additionally, 2013 NCAA champion and All-American Katelyn Rowland joined the coaching staff at the North Carolina Courage as an assistant goalkeeping coach after announcing her retirement following a 10-year playing career.ย
The 2025 season kicks off on Friday, March 14 at 5pm PT with Orlando hosting Chicago on Prime Video and Houston hosting Washington on NWSL+. Eight other teams open their season on Saturday, March 15, with Kansas City hosting Portland at 9:45am PT on ABC, North Carolina playing at Racing Louisville FC at 11am PT on NWSL+, Bay FC playing at Utah at 1:30pm PT on ION and Seattle hosting Gotham FC at 4pm PT on ION. Angel City hosts San Diego on Sunday, March 16 at 12:50pm PT in a match that will be televised on ESPN2.
Bruins on 2025 Opening Day NWSL Rosters
Angel City FC - Sydney Leroux (2008-11)
Bay FC - Abby Dahlkemper (2011-14), Caprice Dydasco (2011-14)
Houston Dash - Delanie Sheehan (2017-20)
Kansas City Current - Hailie Mace (2015-18)
NC Courage - Ashley Sanchez (2017-19)
NJ/NY Gotham FC - Ryan Campbell (2024), Sofia Cook (2022-24), Lilly Reale (2021-24)
Orlando Pride - Ally Lemos (2022-23), Viviana Villacorta (2017-20)
Portland Thorns - Jessie Fleming (2016-19), Jayden Perry (2021-24), Reilyn Turner (2020-23)
Seattle Reign FC - Lauren Barnes (2007-10)
San Diego Wave FC - Quincy McMahon (2021-24)
Washington Spirit - Meg Boade (2024)
Players Mentioned
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