Originally conducted during the 2024 season and only slightly interrupted by Hurricane Helene, these insights provide a valuable snapshot of how analytics have been evolving in the NWSL

While we have been conducting annual MLS analytics surveys to gauge the state of data-driven decision making across clubs for several years now, the NWSL has largely flown under the radar when it comes to understanding how teams are leveraging analytics. During the 2024 season, we conducted a comprehensive survey of NWSL analytics staff to get behind the scenes looks at how teams were using data to gain competitive advantages.

This survey was distributed to analytics personnel across all 14 NWSL clubs, with responses collected between June and September 2024. Seven clubs responded anonymously, providing candid insights into everything from which teams were considered most analytically advanced to satisfactions with the league data provider. While the response rate was smaller than we hoped for, the quality and detail of responses offer a fascinating glimpse into the analytics landscape of women's professional soccer.

The Analytics hierarchy: Who's leading the pack?

When asked to identify the three most analytically advanced NWSL teams, Bay FC dominated the responses, earning mentions from six of the seven respondents. This is particularly noteworthy given that Bay FC was an expansion team in 2024, suggesting they invested heavily in analytics infrastructure from day one. This commitment is exemplified by their hiring of Arielle Dror as Director of Data & Analytics, a former American Soccer Analysis contributor and employee of analytics pioneer Luker Bornn’s Zelus Analytics, who brought established expertise to the organization.

Washington Spirit followed closely behind with five mentions, while Orlando Pride received three votes. Interestingly, NJ/NY Gotham FC and Houston Dash each received two mentions, though one respondent noted uncertainty about Gotham's current analytics usage after Nathán Goldberg Crenier, Assistant General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer, left to run for U.S. Soccer Vice President.

"Not sure how much data Gotham is using now that [their] AGM left," one respondent commented, highlighting how personnel changes can impact a team's analytical reputation.

At the other end of the spectrum, Utah Royals FC were most frequently cited among the least analytically advanced teams, receiving three mentions. Chicago Stars, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns FC, and Seattle Reign each received two votes in this category.

It's important to note that evaluating a club's analytical capabilities from the outside is inherently limited. The designations of "most analytically advanced" and "least analytically advanced" reflect the perceptions of survey respondents and may not capture the full picture of what teams are doing internally. Some clubs that appear less advanced publicly may actually have sophisticated analytical operations that simply aren't visible to their peers, while others may be more transparent about their data-driven approaches. Nonetheless, notably each of the top four clubs made the playoffs. Some signal there, perhaps.

Decision-making integration: Where analytics actually matters

Having advanced analytics capabilities is one thing. Actually incorporating those insights into decision-making is another. When asked which team most effectively integrates analytics into their decision-making processes, Bay FC led with three mentions, followed by Washington Spirit with two.

This reinforces Bay FC's position as both the most analytically advanced and most effective at translating those capabilities into organizational decision-making—a rare combination that suggests the expansion club has built analytics into their DNA from the ground up.

The Opta problem: Data-provider frustrations

One of the most telling aspects of the survey was the widespread dissatisfaction with Opta as the league's data provider. While four respondents rated their satisfaction as "Neutral," two were "Very Unsatisfied," and one was "Unsatisfied.” That means none of the respondents were satisfied with the current data provision.

"All we get is access to their media site and their query tool that barely works, it's just NWSL data," one frustrated respondent explained. Another noted that "other options exist that are clearly superior data collection/provider companies."

This contrasts sharply with MLS, where the transition to Sportec, while bumpy, has generally improved over time. The NWSL's data infrastructure appears to be a significant constraint on analytical advancement across the league.

Public resources: Where teams turn when league data falls short

Given the limitations with official league data, it's not surprising that NWSL staff have turned to public resources to supplement their analysis. American Soccer Analysis was the most frequently mentioned resource, receiving three mentions, with one analyst noting they prefer "ASA, not the NWSL website" for their evaluations. FBRef was equally popular with three mentions.

Other resources mentioned included StatsBomb IQ and various sports science platforms like VALD. One respondent noted they rely primarily on "other sport scientists' and analysts' posts", highlighting the importance of the broader analytics community in sharing knowledge and methodologies.

Tellingly, one respondent simply answered "None" when asked about helpful public resources, while another emphasized that "Most stuff we do in house"—suggesting different approaches to building analytical capabilities, with some teams focusing on internal development rather than external resources.

Resource constraints: A universal challenge

When asked what single improvement would most help their analytics usage, the response was overwhelmingly consistent: more staff. Four of the seven respondents chose this option, with one noting, "There's so much we cannot even touch and we are probably one of the more resourced clubs in the league, more people would help us impact more areas or do more in-house."

The staffing shortage extends beyond just adding bodies, it's about having the right expertise throughout the organization. One respondent emphasized the need for "better data literacy by the coaching staff and implementation of performance analysis for in-game performance," highlighting how analytics integration requires buy-in and understanding across all levels of the club.

Financial constraints compound the staffing issues, with another analyst noting they "could always use more people, and more funding for extra licenses and data providers (Hudl, MyVA, third party data, etc.)." This reveals how resource limitations create a cascading effect, teams can't afford both the staff and the tools needed for comprehensive analytics programs.

Higher quality raw data was the second most popular choice with two mentions. Notably, one respondent's comment revealed a broader issue beyond just NWSL data: "Regarding 'higher quality raw data', an increased amount of data for more women's football competitions throughout the world would be highly beneficial." This speaks to the global data gap in women's soccer that limits comparative analysis and player evaluation.

The survey responses paint a clear picture: NWSL analytics departments are stretched thin, working with limited resources while trying to cover an expanding scope of responsibilities. The consistent emphasis on needing more staff suggests that even the league's most analytically advanced clubs are operating well below their potential capacity.

Technical infrastructure: A mixed bag

When asked about the data tools they use, survey respondents revealed a wide range of technical sophistication across clubs. Tools mentioned included everything from Excel spreadsheets to more advanced tools like Snowflake, Python, R, and Tableau. Some teams have built sophisticated workflows with automated XML generation linking to SportsCode, while others leverage data visualization tools and dashboards.

All seven responding teams reported using raw player-event data to create proprietary in-house metrics. Only one team confirmed using "raw player tracking data," but their comment revealed they were referring to sports science data (i.e., GPS, VALD, Whoop, VBT) rather than broadcast or optical tracking data like SkillCorner or Second Spectrum.

This lack of tracking data likely reflects both the high costs and the technical expertise required to process such data—barriers that are particularly challenging for clubs operating with smaller budgets and analytics staff.

The Path forward: Collaboration vs. competition

When asked about data and code sharing across clubs, responses were mixed. While some saw potential benefits, others worried about giving away competitive advantages. One respondent noted, "Increased data/code sharing does not necessarily mean that it would result in a positive impact. If the people that intend to use the data/code are not data/code literate, negative impacts could occur."

Looking back, moving forward

Perhaps the most optimistic finding from the survey was one respondent's observation that "wherever any team stands now is more advanced than they were 5 years ago, even if they just have someone who can film games." This suggests that while the NWSL analytics landscape may be uneven, it's advancing across the board.

The survey results paint a picture of a league in transition, with some teams making significant investments in analytics infrastructure while others lag behind due to resource constraints. The widespread dissatisfaction with data providers and the universal desire for more staff suggest that the NWSL's analytical evolution is being constrained more by infrastructure and resources than by the lack of interest or vision.

As the league continues to grow and professionalize, addressing these foundational challenges will be crucial for unlocking the full potential of analytics in women's soccer. The teams that can overcome these constraints, like Bay FC and Washington Spirit appear to be doing, will likely gain significant competitive advantages in the seasons to come.

This survey was conducted during the 2024 NWSL season with responses collected between June and September 2024. All responses were anonymous and voluntary. We thank the analytics staff who participated for their time and candid insights into the state of data in women's professional soccer.