Last year, EA Sports added women’s club teams to their roster in FIFA 23 for the first time in the series’ history. The inaugural clubs came from the Women’s Super League, Division 1 Feminine, and NWSL. Now the rebranded EA FC 24 was released for early access on Friday, September 22, and will be available officially on September 29. Among the changes for this year’s installment is the most in-depth integration of the women’s game into a franchise that has been predominantly male-focused for 30 years. Along with two additional leagues in Spain’s Liga F and Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga, female players will play alongside male players in the game’s most popular mode ultimate team. Below is a look at how EA FC 24 NWSL player’s overall ratings have changed since last year’s game.
NWSL Rating Changes Seen With EA FC 24
Laying their claim to a revolution in soccer.
The Top 24 rated players from the @NWSL are in the club. #FC24
— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) September 14, 2023
EA FC 24 NWSL Players Top Five by Position
GOALKEEPER
Kailen Sheridan- 85
Bella Bixby- 84
Jane Campbell- 84
Aubrey Kingsbury- 84
Adrianna Franch- 83
DEFENDER
Becky Sauerbrunn- 85
Meghan Klingenberg- 83
Kelley O’Hara- 83
Alana Cook- 82
Sofia Huerta- 82
MIDFIELDER
Debinha- 88
Rose Lavelle- 87
Amandine Henry- 85
Megan Rapinoe- 85
Crystal Dunn- 84
FORWARD
Alex Morgan- 89
Sophia Smith- 88
Mallory Swanson- 86
Trinity Rodman- 84
Christen Press- 83
NWSL EA FC 24 Rating Increases
Only three players have improved in overall rating since last year’s game. Two of the league’s biggest stars Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman both got a boost after a year where both forwards ended up starting on the USWNT in the 2023 World Cup. The Washington Spirit’s 2023 third-round pick Riley Tanner is now a 70 overall after a previous 69 rating.
+1
Sophia Smith 87-88
Trinity Rodman 83-84
Riley Tanner 69-70
EA FC 24 NWSL Rating Decreases
Most of the adjustments in the game have been decreases to overall ratings. A majority of those have only been a one-point reduction. Some notable stars include Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Alyssa Naeher. All of whom are longtime veterans in their 30s and coming off disappointing performances for the United States in the World Cup. Mallory Swanson and Becky Sauerbrunn are both recovering from significant injuries. Swanson was set to feature with the US last summer before she was sidelined with a torn patella tendon. Meanwhile, Sauerbrunn was not able to represent her country as captain after dealing with a foot injury since April.
There were more significant drops as well. Angel City’s Christen Press hasn’t played since June 11 2022 and has gone from an 86 overall to an 83. Former Duke Blue Devil star and current courage midfielder Tess Boade has dropped from a 71 to a 68. USWNT veteran Sam Mewis went from an 82 to an 80 and has not played for Kansas City since being traded there in November of 2021. Canadian Bianca St-Georges of the Chicago Red Stars has a 75 rating down from 77 last year.
-3
Christen Press 86-83
Tess Boade 71-68
-2
Sam Mewis 82-80
Bianca St-Georges 77-75
-1
Alex Morgan 90-89
Mallory Swanson 87-86
Megan Rapinoe 86-85
Becky Sauerbrunn 86-85
Christine Sinclair 84-83
Alyssa Naeher 84-83
Adrianna Franch 84-83
Raquel Rodriguez 83-82
Carson Pickett 83-82
Hanna Glas 82-81
Merritt Mathias 81-80
Abby Dahlkemper 81-80
Shea Groom 80-79
Jessica McDonald 80-79
Kristie Mewis 80-79
Taylor Kornieck 80-79
Ines Jaurena 78-77
Bethany Balcer 77-76
Brianna Pinto 76-75
Natalie Jacobs 75-74
Samantha Fisher 73-72
Michelle Alozie 73-72
Joelle Anderson 72-71
Paige Metayer 71-70
Ellie Jean 71-70
Losing the FIFA license has caused EA to make an overhaul of how players experience one of their most popular annual outings. It remains to be seen how the gaming community responds to the game as an overall product. However, purely from the perspective of growing awareness of women’s leagues around the world, this is a major achievement. The most casual of fans can now have a fantasy lineup with Sam Kerr alongside Kylian Mbappe. Having legends of all leagues regardless of gender on the same pitch in a global brand like this could be a major step forward in the perception of equality in the real-world game.
Photo Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports, of a Trinity Rodman Headshot, on August 27, 2023.
