Over the first eight years of the NWSL, only five teenagers received minutes in official games. In 2023 alone, we’ve already seen that number exceeded, with a total of seven players aged 15 to 19 featuring in the regular season or Challenge Cup. Among that group, three have already become major contributors for their teams.
The dramatic nature of this shift suggests evolving attitudes and strategies in NWSL front offices, where there is an increasing willingness to invest in long-term potential rather than prioritizing immediate returns. But why weren’t teams doing this before? And what made them decide that now is the time?
Here’s how we got here and what this means for the future of the league.
15-year-old Olivia Moultrie sues her way into the NWSL — and proves she belongs
“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” — that became a rallying cry in summer 2021 as 15-year-old Olivia Moultrie took the NWSL to court over her eligibility to play for the Portland Thorns. Up to that point, the league restricted players under the age of 18 from signing with teams. It was a fairly unique rule in the soccer world — Moultrie could’ve already been a professional in Europe or playing in Major League Soccer in the U.S. if she was a boy.
The NWSL argued that they had instituted these rules “to protect minors at an important stage of development.” Moultrie disagreed: “If I’m good enough, I’m old enough,” she said, arguing that the decision to play should be in the hands of her and her guardians. More importantly, Moultrie’s lawyers accused the NWSL of violating antitrust laws by blocking their client from negotiating with teams.
A judge found this argument compelling and sided with Moultrie, which allowed her to officially sign with the Thorns and make her debut on July 3, 2021. By the end of the month, the NWSL conceded defeat and opted not to appeal, instead reaching a settlement with Moultrie that ensured she could play for good.
