Travel Distance and Direction Negatively Impact Expected Goal Differential: A Retrospective Analysis of 2018–2023 National Women’s Soccer League Data
Travel distance and direction negatively affect performance in NWSL teams, with westward travel posing the greatest detriment. These findings underscore the need for improved scheduling and travel strategies. Future research should explore practical methods to reduce travel-related performance impairments in professional women's soccer.
Authors
- Dean Norris (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7744-6233)
- Kirsty M. Hicks (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5057-9191)
- Kevin Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2973-5337)
- Seungbeum D. Lee
- Owen Munro
- James P. Hocken
- Glyn Howatson
- Paul Ansdell
Institutions
- North-West University (ZA)
- Sierra Club (US)
- Northumbria University (GB)
- Western Sydney University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
- Published
- 2026-01-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0298
- Primary Topic
- Sports Analytics and Performance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00