NJ/NY Gotham FC and Racing Louisville FC are heading to Cali, Colombia, next month for the inaugural Women’s Cup South America tournament. The preseason event, scheduled for Feb. 27 and March 1, is a first for any NWSL team in South America. The tournament, hosted by América de Cali, will feature local team Deportivo Cali Femenino.
J.P. Reynal, president and CEO of the Women’s Cup, and Ryan Dell, general manager of Racing Louisville, both highlighted the tournament's significance. Reynal pointed out that the decision to hold the tournament in South America stemmed from the strong support América de Cali received at last year’s Women’s Cup in Madrid, drawing around 3,000 Colombian fans against AC Milan. The February schedule, differing from the usual August timing of the Women’s Cup, aims to offer an “enhanced preseason” experience for U.S. clubs, combining competitive play in a warm climate with brand exposure on a global scale.
“When we saw this great sort of club football level from Colombia and, of course, a great World Cup performance, we realized that it was a very interesting idea to roll out for future Women’s Cups,” Reynal said, as reported by Bekki Morgan of The Equalizer Soccer. “It’s an opportunity for the two clubs to be able to engage in an international preseason rather than playing their traditional preseasons in Florida or Arizona,” explained Reynal. “To be able to engage against international teams, rather than playing against college teams or against other NWSL teams; to be able to get that international flavor, exposure, and to also be able to head on down to South America and scout for talent.”
Reynal cited Colombian star Linda Caicedo as an example of the region's rich talent pool. The tournament will include scouting combines, allowing Racing and Gotham coaches to assess a broad range of local and regional players.
“We are providing a solution to a need that the clubs in the league have, which is how do we become more competitive? How do we scout for future talent in this incredible talent pool that is Latin America,” Reynal said.
Colombia games give once-in-a-life-time chance to NWSL teams, coaches
For Racing Louisville, the trip offers a unique opportunity for their new head coach, Bev Yanez, to prepare the team for the upcoming NWSL season.
“Going to Colombia, this is our first opportunity to really set up technical staff and our support staff in how [Yanez] wants to manage the NWSL regular season, so we’re not walking into the first game on March 15th or 16th or whatever it ends up being surprised,” Dell said. “So we feel that this is a great almost-trial run for what we’re doing for the season.”
Gotham FC sees the event as a chance to face high-level opponents and enhance the team's connection, according to Yael Averbuch West, the team’s general manager and head of soccer operations.
“As we fine-tune our chemistry heading into the regular season, we look forward to meeting new opposition in addition to exposing both the players and the club brand to new audiences and experiences,” Averbuch West said in a press release.”NJ/NY Gotham FC and Racing Louisville FC make history with first NWSL preseason games in Colombia, set to revolutionize talent scouting and global outreach
Both teams are planning extended stays in Cali, with comprehensive support from the Women’s Cup organizers, including accommodations, meals and training facilities. The teams will utilize América de Cali’s and Deportivo’s training centers and stay in a nearby hotel.
Dell, leveraging his experience as the former U.S. women’s team manager, played a crucial role in coordinating the logistics and ensuring a conducive environment for the players. He was instrumental in convincing Gotham FC to join in.
“Gotham would not commit to this tournament unless I personally signed off on it and Racing committed,” Dell said. “Yael and I went back and forth and agreed to do this together, and she felt comfortable knowing my history and my background. So we feel good with what they’re setting up, but we also know we will have a hand in crafting the proper environment for our players.”
Despite the overlap with the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, Dell sees the tournament as an opportunity to test young talent.
“I think our players feel good. And then with Bev, they feel like they’re gonna get good training. So we’re excited about where we’re headed,” he said.
The Women’s Cup South America is part of a larger initiative, with Reynal envisioning the Women’s Cup as a precursor to a FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. The 2024 season will witness four Women’s Cup tournaments, further expanding the global reach of NWSL teams. Dell believes such international engagements will enhance the NWSL's global brand, foreseeing more teams participating in similar events in the future.
“I think that this can continue to grow to be something that’s really special and, hey, Seattle is going to Costa Rica [this preseason],” Dell said. “These teams are starting to expand and then you start to expand your scouting networks, you start to expand your presence. And I think as the NWSL becomes a global brand, this will aid in that growth.”
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