FIFA 23: How Sophia Smith and other Colorado NWSL players are rated

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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