Artificial intelligence has begun influencing the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Laura Harvey, head coach of Seattle Reign, recently discussed how she interacted with ChatGPT out of curiosity regarding soccer tactics.

In an episode of the “Soccerish Podcast,” she explained her offseason experiments with AI to enhance her understanding of women’s soccer tactics. Harvey used various prompts to explore tactical ideas applicable for competing within the NWSL.

“One day in the offseason, I was writing things into ChatGPT like, ‘What is Seattle Reign’s identity?’ And it would spurt it out. And I was like ‘I don’t know if that’s true or not,’” she shared the experience.

Harvey noted that by asking ChatGPT for formation suggestions to beat other NWSL teams, she received a recommendation to use a back five formation against specific competitors. “That’s why I did it — no joke,” Harvey mentioned, showing her innovative approach to coaching.

This dialogue around tactics arose from her reflecting on how she has evolved as a coach. “I’d never really done a lot of research on it. I’d never really, like, invested into how it could be played in the women’s game,” Harvey explained, emphasizing her desire to adapt her strategies significantly.

As the season progresses, the use of ChatGPT has prompted the Reign to experiment with various formations, leading to multiple tactical changes that have enhanced their adaptability despite not being the most aggressive team on the attacking front. Their ability to adjust strategies has ultimately secured them a playoff spot this year.

The upcoming playoff positioning will be determined during their last regular-season match against the Orlando Pride, where they are vying for a potential third-place finish. Laura Harvey remains optimistic about her team’s adaptability as they navigate through the challenges.