Fresh off her SheBelieves Cup performances, Portland Thorns & Canadian Women’s National Team forward, Janine Beckie, speaks to onetwo ahead of the 2023 NWSL season and FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Olympic Games

Janine Beckie is one of the poster faces of the Canada Women’s National Team known as fierce competitors on the international stage. After winning gold in the 2021 Olympics, she left Manchester City Women’s team and signed for arguably the most prominent team in the NWSL, the Portland Thorns.

"Its a Women’s World Cup year, and this has the potential to be the biggest one in history. I’m really looking forward to this year’s NWSL season for a couple of reasons. Its a Women’s World Cup year so all eyes are on women’s football like never before. This has the potential to be the biggest Women’s World Cup in history".

World Cup years tend to lead to a more precautious approach from players within club football. Potentially missing out on the most important event of their career due to injury is a genuine possibility. However, Janine has full belief that this Portland Thorns team has the drive to compete for yet another NWSL title.

The standard has been set pretty high, with us winning a championship the first year I’ve been in the squad. We have most of our squad returning so the quality will be the same, if not higher.

The NWSL has steadily increased in popularity in recent years, breaking viewership records in 2022 with a whopping 915,000 viewers tuning in for the final between the Portland and Kansas City Current. The Thorns were victorious against a talented Kansas City squad that had just recently drawn against them.

"The NWSL is one of, if not the most competitive league in the world".

Bouquet

With the NWSL growing rapidly and as the Women’s World Cup draws near. Many doors are opening for women’s players off the pitch, with many major companies such as EA Sports, Adobe, and more sponsoring the league and providing marketing opportunities to players.

Its definitely a year for football fans to tune in to the women’s game. There’s more excitement, more advertisement, and more broadcasts.

"This is going to be an incredible year for the league. There’s so much talent on every roster this year. The NWSL is one of, if not the most competitive league in the world.

There are more Europeans, more international players that are pushing the league and adding different styles of play to the table. You rarely see teams being blown out in matches. The competitiveness and the fact that any team can compete on any day is what attracts me to the league. It pushes me to become a better player.

There’s more excitement, advertisement, and broadcasting. This year is definitely a year to tune in the women’s game".

Getting Popular

The NWSL is now in EA Sports FIFA 23, which is a major showcase for the women’s game. Previously, there were only national teams available to use when it came to the women’s portion of the game. Now, the entire NWSL is available to be used in-game.

There are so many talented players that do not get called up to their national teams who can now be recognized in the video game. It’s amazing to see all players get the recognition they deserve.

“Another thing to look out for this season is the Portland Thorns away kit for the 2023 season. With its intricate designs dedicated to the portrayal of the ‘Rose City’, it is a kit that will definitely be catching the eyes of viewers this year.
This kit represents us and our city. Unique, wild, and artistic. Its a great representation of the Rose City and the identity of our club”.

“With an emphasis on the word ‘us’, its safe to say that Janine feels right at home. The NWSL season kicks off on March 25, 2023 with the Portland Thorns slated to kick off their season on March 26 at Providence Park against Orlando Pride”.

New Standard: Janine Beckie

Rodrigo Vilca Adaptation

The Transition: Kyle Guy