The National Women’s Soccer League and National Women’s Soccer League Players Association announced today its partnership with Parkside Collectibles, a sports trading card company. Parkside Collectibles will be the first sports trading card company to create an all women’s soccer trading card set.
“I’m a big trading card collector and when my soccer-playing daughter wanted to pick up cards of her heroes, I had to tell her nobody makes them,” said Parkside Collectibles Co-Founder Matt Peek. “At that moment I called Eric and we decided that these amazing athletes need to be represented as their contemporaries are.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Parkside Collectibles to bring another fun way for us to engage with NWSL fans around the world,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird. “2020 has certainly been a year to remember for our league and these trading cards will put a stamp on this moment in time and help us showcase the incredible athletes that make up the NWSL.”
The first set of trading cards will be a 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup limited edition set, with each set to showcase 15 cards, and include randomly inserted Signature cards of an NWSL star or a “Promising Prospect” rookie card.
Athletes to be highlighted in this set include; Rachel Daly from the Houston Dash, Kealia Watt from the Chicago Red Stars, Simone Charley and Morgan Weaver from Portland Thorns FC, Paige Monaghan from Sky Blue FC, Ashley Hatch from the Washington Spirit, and more.
The Signature cards signed by players will feature Christine Sinclair from Portland Thorns FC, Bethany Balcer from OL Reign, Tziarra King from Utah Royals FC, and more to be announced.
“This set is among our most special as it represents the momentum to advance gender equity on the playing field and off. Featuring today’s emerging athletes will nurture the potential in tomorrow’s all-stars,” said Parkside CEO/Co-Founder Eric Christensen. “Athletes inspire our youth to strive for better. We need that right now.”
Parkside began in 2019, with sets for Major League Lacrosse and BIG3 Basketball. Their cards are currently being sold in Target nationwide and hobby stores. You can also buy trading cards on their website, here.
