Artificial intelligence is making its mark in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as Seattle Reign’s head coach, Laura Harvey, recently shared. In an informal experiment, Harvey utilized ChatGPT to explore its knowledge of women’s soccer and solicit tactical suggestions for competing against other NWSL teams.

In her appearance on the “Soccerish Podcast”, Harvey detailed her engagement with the AI during the offseason and how it prompted her to consider different formations for matches. “One day, I asked ChatGPT: ‘What is Seattle Reign’s identity?’ and while its response was questionable, I sought its thoughts on what formation would ideally counter various NWSL teams,” she explained. The AI surprisingly produced specific formations, recommending a back five against two teams, which she subsequently implemented.

AI in Soccer 101

During the podcast, Harvey expressed that she had never previously used a back five strategy in her coaching career until this season. “I didn’t delve deeply into how it might work for women’s soccer, as I had mostly observed it in men’s games. It was usually associated with a defensive mindset, typically to protect a lead,” Harvey noted.

The idea eventually led her team to explore this structure and find success. Despite some ups and downs, this tactic has proved fruitful enough to lead the Reign into playoff contention, demonstrating their adaptability and evolution as a team. Currently sitting in fourth place, their outcome depends on the final regular-season match against Orlando Pride, which could determine their playoff positioning.

In response to Harvey’s curiosity that spurred using AI technology, discussions continue about soccer tactics and formations, showing how modern approaches can inspire and influence traditional sports practices.