While the entire Super Show team did a team by team preview, I thought I’d do my own set of quick hit comments on each team (with a little tongue in cheek).

Lexington Glow Up

Lexington went through a bit of a glow up on the level of Lindsay Lohan in “Mean Girls.” Their new coach left the Chicago Stars interim position to join them. They made a wish list of players and went shopping. Off season acquisitions include: League MVP Emina Ekic, Addie McCain FTL’s playmaker and leading goal scorer, and players with meaningful women’s division 1 professional experience in every position. This team should be walking with swagger, model level confidence. The question is, who wants to be the supporting cast? Will too many divas make for Kardashian level drama?

Spokane Shadows

The coach, Jo Johnson, chose to go in a different direction, as is her right. Lexington picked off a number of key starting players leaving big holes. Seven total joined other SL clubs. Shadows of those players echo on the pitch searching for new players to pick up the role. This will clearly not be the same team that made a strong run to finish last season. Will they dispel the gloom or dwell in the shadows?

Charging up DC Power

DC Power had one of the two most drastic roster changes, choosing not to stick with a core from last season, but to start fresh. The roster seems like they want to add some energy to charge up the Power for a better finish in season 2. Are they looking to amp up where they left off last year with a string of surprising performances? Head coach Phil Nona has been replaced with Omid Namazi. This will definitely change the vibe.

Dreaming Dallas

Immediately at the end of the first season, Dallas fired Pauline MacDonald after a playoff run with half the starters on the IRL list. The front office states they want a championship winning squad, but having a coach with no time during preseason will make that a miracle. Lexi Missimo and Camryn Lancaster were top college additions that would be a dream get by any squad. The league Golden Boot winner, Allie Thornton, signed back with the club. Will offseason decisions make this dream a reality or just stay in the Sandman’s kingdom?

Brooklyn, Born in Chaos

Brooklyn, in year one announced the head coach after the start of the season. Year 2 they announced the coach 2 weeks before the start of the season. Off season saw the players leave en masse. The spine of the team departed, Mackenzie George and Luana Grabias to Carolina, Allison Pantuso to Lexington, Mackenzie Pluck to Tampa, and others. Some people thrive in chaos, others are born into it, it has now become their entire ethos. They’re the only team who can’t get their coaching staff on the website, is it because it’s not solidified? Because they embrace the dark they see what others can’t. Maybe they’ll go on another top of the table tear because other teams can’t predict the behavior of their systems.

Rookie Class, Jacksonville

Sporting Jacksonville has a strong roster on paper with young international talent. Young players have a vivacity and willingness to run but lack the experience to lead through adversity in game. Other teams had their year one to sort out the challenges of an expansion league. Jax will step into a new league that will see them face pressure from minute one with little time for growing pains. Will Jax have a moment when the freshman gets bodied off the ball and steamrolled by the senior?

Fort Lauderdale Silent Assassins

Quietly grinding in the summer humidity, finals runner up, Fort Lauderdale United have been building on a winning level foundation. The team is built on cohesion, chemistry, and Tyronne Mears tactics. Last year they were underestimated all the way to the final and I think they liked it that way. They didn’t chase big names or big experience, but solid players with diverse resumes. You might never see them coming until it’s too late.

Constant Carolina

Carolina Ascent retained their shield winning coach and top talent. This unchanging roster sets them up to carry on their top of the table ways. They continue on in the same progression adding a few top talents to fill in any gaps. They continue with the expectation of high performance. Will they be able to consistently stay in the top spot another year with a big target on their backs and plenty of film to plan from?

Bright Tampa Bay Sun

Season one saw them shine brightly as champions. The sun goes down to rise fresh on a new season full of promise. Adjustments to the roster have been sharp, shadows cast away with bright prospects for a competitive season are ahead. One of the most dazzling offenses in the league was shored up in the offseason. Sandrine Mauron joins from a summer playing for hosts, Switzerland, in the Euros. The addition of Mackenzie Pluck is just a ray of sunshine on the field with her soccer intelligence and passing ability. Will another team cover their flame snuffing their light out or will their luminosity be blinding?

- Danielle Gawronski