If gamers open up FIFA 23 across all consoles next Thursday, there will be a significant update to the famed video game franchise: Fans will be able to pick and play as a National Women’s Soccer League team.
Starting March 23, all 12 NWSL teams will be available for selection, which marks the first time the league has been available to play since the franchise first started in 1994. In various iterations, women’s national teams have been added, when initial licensing was first approved and were available in FIFA 16. Ahead of the launch last fall, the top domestic leagues in England, Germany and France were also added with licensing agreements in place.
EA Sports, the maker of the FIFA series, had also secured a licensing agreement with the NWSL Players’ Association to secure name, image and likeness rights. Now that players are in the game, it can ultimately play a key factor for continuing the growth of the sport. The series is widely viewed as a launch pad for gamers across the globe to become familiar with soccer’s iconic club teams and stand-out players.
On Friday, EA Sports released its inaugural ratings for NWSL players, and Coloradans stood out.
Windsor’s Sophia Smith, the reigning league MVP, was featured heavily in the trailer. Smith, who was the youngest player to ever win the award last fall, was the league’s third-highest rated player at an 87 overall, which was tied with OL Reign’s Rose Lavelle and Highlands Ranch native Mallory Swanson (née Pugh), a striker for the Chicago Red Stars. Fans can even pit Coloradans against one another from the European game as Olympique Lyonnais in France is available for selection, and that’s where Golden’s Lindsey Horan (also rated an 87) plays her club soccer.
San Diego Wave’s Alex Morgan (90) and Kansas City Current’s Debinha (88) were the league’s two highest-rated players, respectively.
Here’s every Coloradan who will be available to play as in FIFA 23, and what they are ranked.
Colorado women in FIFA 23
| Player | Team | Age | Hometown | Pos. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophia Smith | Portland | 22 | Windsor | ST | 87 |
| Mallory Swanson | Chicago | 24 | Highlands Ranch | LW | 87 |
| Lindsey Horan | Lyon | 28 | Golden | CM | 86 |
| Taylor Korenieck* | San Diego | 24 | Las Vegas | CAM | 80 |
| Janine Beckie^ | Portland | 28 | Highlands Ranch | LM | 79 |
| Jaelin Howell | Louisville | 23 | Lone Tree | CDM | 77 |
| Jordan Baggett | Washington | 26 | Littleton | CAM | 77 |
| Estelle Johnston# | North Carolina | 34 | Fort Collins | CB | 77 |
| Kristen Hamilton | Kansas City | 30 | Littleton | ST | 75 |
| Lauren Milliet | Louisville | 26 | Durango | CAM | 75 |
| Ryan Williams | North Carolina | 27 | Centennial | RB | 75 |
| Alex Loera | Kansas City | 23 | Thornton | CB | 74 |
| Ally Watt | Orlando | 26 | Colorado Springs | ST | 73 |
| Brittany Isenhour | Angel City | 25 | Littleton | GK | 72 |
| Natalie Beckman | Portland | 22 | Denver | RB | 71 |
| * Played collegiately at the University of Colorado Boulder ^ Grew up in Highlands Ranch; represents Canada at international level # Grew up in Fort Collins; represents Cameroon at international level | |||||
It’s worth noting that the rosters for NWSL teams have not been finalized yet. However, as of the latest club updates, three Coloradans are fighting for final roster spots, plus five local players who were 2023 NWSL draft picks have yet to be finalized, and could be added to the game at a later date.
The 2023 NWSL season starts March 25.
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