The NWSL's 2016 schedule seems to promote area rivalries, but will it really work?
On Feb. 18 the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced the full 2016 schedule, and there was one very noticeable difference from last season.
Each team will face off against one team, usually a team that is close in proximity, four times throughout the season instead of just two. This appears to be the league’s attempt at creating rivalries within the league, something that is currently lacking with the exception of the steadily-growing Seattle Reign FC v FC Kansas City and deep-seated Portland Thorns FC v Seattle Reign rivalries.