NWSL Trending News

2026-08-24 17:10:05

Gotham Stays Top, Pride Snap Losing Streak

Gotham remains No. 1 after a scoreless draw with Angel City, while San Diego's Trinity Byars stars in a 4-2 win over Utah. Portland, Washington, and Orlando also post key results in Matchday 18's NWSL Power Rankings. read more

2026-08-21 12:20:06

NWSL Top 25 Revealed Amid Injuries, Breakout Stars

ESPN ranks the 25 best NWSL players of 2026, with Trinity Rodman on top. Despite injuries and transfers shaking up the league, Rodman's consistency and MVP-caliber play lead the list, followed by Croix Bethune and Ashley Sanchez. read more

2026-08-17 16:20:06

Portland Soars in Rankings Despite Moultrie Injury

Gotham FC tops NWSL Power Rankings despite Kansas City's record-fast goal, while Portland surges after Caiya Hanks' emotional ACL-return winner. Utah, San Diego, and Washington hold strong positions as playoff races tighten. Chicago remains last. read more

2026-08-10 18:30:44

Gotham FC Reclaims Top Spot After Seventh Straight Win

Gotham FC reclaimed the top NWSL ranking with a seventh straight unbeaten game, while Utah dropped despite strong stats. North Carolina's 11-goal attack and Racing Louisville's first-ever Orlando win highlighted a dramatic Matchday 16. read more

2026-08-05 12:50:06

Ted Lasso Season 4 Showcases NWSL Rise in Kansas City

Ted Lasso's fourth season features Kansas City Current's stadium and success story, inspiring Rebecca to launch AFC Richmond's women's team. The NWSL's real growth, sellout crowds, and stadium expansion mirror the show's plot, highlighting women's soccer's rising profile. read more

2026-08-04 17:10:08

NWSL opens 2027 season during Super Bowl week

NWSL will start its 2027 season February 11 in Los Angeles, its earliest-ever kickoff, aligning with Super Bowl week to boost visibility. The league fits a 30-game season around a seven-week World Cup break. read more

2026-08-03 16:40:09

Utah Royals Top NWSL Rankings After 5-1 Rout

Utah Royals top NWSL Power Rankings after 5-1 rout of Portland, while Washington tumbles from first after 1-0 loss to San Diego. Gotham stays second unbeaten in six; North Carolina snaps skid with 5-0 win. read more

2026-07-31 12:30:03

NWSL Midseason Grades: Gotham Soars, Chicago Fails

NWSL midseason grades rate all 16 teams after longest season's halfway point. Washington Spirit earns A+, Utah Royals A, Gotham A-. Chicago Red Stars and Racing Louisville receive F grades for poor performances. read more

2026-07-27 19:20:03

Washington Spirit Reclaims NWSL Top Spot After Dramatic Weekend

Washington Spirit reclaim top NWSL Power Rankings spot after beating Denver 1-0, while Gotham FC fell to second following a draw with Portland. Utah Royals surged to third with a set-piece-driven win. read more

2026-07-20 17:20:06

Gotham FCs Epic Comeback Seizes No. 1

Gotham FC rises to No. 1 in NWSL Power Rankings after two comeback wins, including a 3-2 rally over Seattle. Washington drops to second despite beating Boston. San Diego draws Kansas City 2-2, while Utah and Angel City climb with strong defensive performances. read more

2026-07-17 12:30:10

Lindsey Horan returns home to Denver Summit FC

USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps returns to Colorado for Denver Summit FC, 14 years after leaving at 18 to become the first American woman to skip college for pro soccer. Her homecoming completes a trailblazing career arc. read more

2026-07-16 22:30:06

Gotham FCs Queens Debut Draws Record 42,175 Fans

Gotham FC drew 42,175 fans at Citi Field, their largest crowd ever, signaling strong support for their 2028 move to Etihad Park in Queens. Rose Lavelle's goal secured a 1-0 win over Washington Spirit, showcasing the team's growing appeal in New York. read more

2026-07-13 17:10:08

Gotham Soars to No. 2 as Spirit Hold NWSL Top Spot

Gotham FC surged to second after Esther González’s brace made history, while Washington Spirit stayed top with a 2-0 win. San Diego Wave dropped following a 2-0 loss to Angel City, reshaping NWSL standings. read more

2026-07-09 12:50:05

NWSL turns baseball field disaster into triumph

Ten years ago, the NWSL faced global ridicule after a match on a dangerously narrow baseball field. Today, stronger standards and union protections prevent repeats. Baseball stadium games now set attendance records safely. read more

2026-07-06 17:50:04

Rodman powers Washington Spirit to NWSL top spot

Trinity Rodman leads Washington Spirit to top of NWSL Power Rankings with stoppage-time winner. San Diego Wave reclaim first place, while Utah Royals suffer first loss in 11 games. Portland Thorns dominate 4-0. read more

2026-06-01 15:30:44

Utah Royals Top NWSL Power Rankings After Draw

Utah Royals remain NWSL's top team after a 2-2 draw with Portland, extending their unbeaten streak to 10. Portland tumbles from 4th to 7th after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer. Washington Spirit and Gotham follow closely behind. read more

2026-05-27 15:20:09

NWSL Growth Sparks Tension Between Old and New Fans

The NWSL's rapid expansion creates tension between longtime fans and new supporters as billionaires, sponsors, and stadium deals reshape the league. Growth brings better pay and exposure but risks alienating the core fanbase. Balancing commercial success with soul is the league's central challenge. read more

2026-05-25 17:30:03

Utah Royals Claim Top Spot in NWSL Rankings

Utah Royals top NWSL Power Rankings after Matchday 9 with a 23-point, nine-match unbeaten streak, becoming the first surprise No. 1 in club history. Washington Spirit and Gotham FC dropped due to CONCACAF commitments. read more

2026-05-11 19:10:03

San Diego Wave Surge to Top NWSL Power Rankings

San Diego Wave tops NWSL Power Rankings after 2-1 win over Angel City, while Washington Spirit extends winning streak to five with 1-0 victory against Seattle Reign. read more

2026-05-08 14:20:09

NWSL Top 25: Rising Stars Reshape 2026 Season

Olivia Moultrie tops ESPN's NWSL Top 25 ranking based on early 2026 form, with four goals and three assists. The list focuses solely on current performances, featuring rising stars like Dudinha and Barbra Banda. read more

2026-05-04 17:00:09

Portland Thorns Claim Top Spot in NWSL Power Rankings

Portland Thorns surged to No. 1 after a 2-0 win over Chicago, with Olivia Moultrie scoring in her 100th match. Washington Spirit earned a fourth straight win, while San Diego Wave dropped to third after two consecutive losses. read more

2026-05-01 12:10:03

Denver and Boston Show NWSL Expansion’s Risk and Reward

Denver Summit and Boston Legacy highlight NWSL expansion’s contrasting paths: Denver’s rapid launch set attendance records, while Boston’s longer timeline faced branding failures and stadium delays. Both teams now seek sustained success. read more

2026-04-24 12:20:06

NWSL report cards reveal early surprises and struggles

San Diego Wave leads NWSL with 4-1-0 start, while Boston and Louisville struggle winless. Columbus awarded 18th franchise for record $205M fee. Early grades show surprises like Houston and Angel City excelling, Gotham and KC Current underperforming. read more

2026-04-17 03:10:07

NWSL Votes on Historic Fall-to-Spring Season Shift

The NWSL board may vote this month to shift its season from spring-fall to fall-spring, aligning with European leagues and MLS. The change, debated for years, aims to improve transfers and TV revenue but faces concerns over cold-weather markets and player safety. read more

2026-04-07 12:50:05

Wave Surge to Top, Spirit Rally in NWSL

San Diego Wave leads NWSL Power Rankings after four straight wins. Washington Spirit ended a winless streak. Orlando Pride and Utah Royals rise, while Chicago Stars struggle at the bottom after Matchday 4. read more

2026-03-31 13:10:10

Denver Summit Shatters NWSL Attendance Record

Denver Summit set an NWSL single-game attendance record with 63,004 fans. ESPN's NWSL Power Rankings after Matchday 3 see Portland Thorns and Angel City FC leading, while the Washington Spirit remain winless and face early-season struggles. read more

2026-03-28 21:40:09

Denver Summit Smashes NWSL Attendance Record

Denver Summit set an NWSL attendance record with 63,004 fans at their inaugural home game, surpassing the previous mark by over 20,000. The match against Washington Spirit ended in a 0-0 draw, but showcased immense community support. read more

2026-03-17 12:40:06

Thorns Top NWSL Power Rankings After Opening Win

Portland Thorns top the first 2026 NWSL power rankings after a 1-0 road win. Key performances included Olivia Moultrie's goal and Morgan Messner's clean sheet. Seattle Reign and Gotham FC follow, with the season now fully underway. read more

2026-03-16 19:10:06

Macario Signs Record $8 Million NWSL Deal

Catarina Macario joins San Diego Wave FC in a record $8 million NWSL deal through 2030. The transfer from Chelsea uses a new high-impact player rule. The move aligns with her personal ties to San Diego and national team ambitions. read more

2026-03-14 20:10:14

Boston Legacy Sets NWSL Record in Historic Home Debut

Boston Legacy lost their historic NWSL home opener 1-0 to Gotham FC. Despite the defeat, the match marked a celebratory arrival after years of planning and setbacks, drawing a record crowd for an expansion team's first game. read more

2026-03-14 12:20:06

NWSL Season Kicks Off With Star Returns

The 2026 NWSL season opened with star returns as Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson played. Olivia Moultrie scored for Portland's 1-0 win. The league's growth relies on showcasing such star power to attract new fans and expand its audience. read more

2026-03-14 05:10:07

Wilson Returns, Thorns Win in NWSL Opener

Sophia Wilson returned from maternity leave as a substitute in Portland's 1-0 NWSL opening win over Washington. Olivia Moultrie scored the decisive goal. Wilson, the 2022 MVP, last played competitively 488 days prior. read more

2026-03-10 12:40:15

NWSL Ambition Rankings Reveal Leagues Shifting Power

ESPN's third annual NWSL Ambition Rankings assess all 16 clubs based on ownership investment and future goals. Kansas City Current leads for its stadium, facilities, and global aims. New teams Boston and Denver show high ambition despite early challenges. read more

2026-01-29 10:40:10

Rodman Rule Divides NWSL Amid Record Deal

Trinity Rodman's record NWSL contract, enabled by a new "Rodman Rule" salary cap exemption, sparks debate. Critics argue this risks league parity and culture for short-term star retention, potentially undermining the NWSL's competitive balance and sustainable growth model. read more

2025-04-02 21:50:05

Gotham FC Takes Stand Against Hate, Bans Supporter Indefinitely

NJ/NY Gotham FC bans a supporter for directing hateful language towards Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda, resulting in a revoked season ticket and future match ban. The club emphasizes a commitment to a safe and respectful environment at matches. read more

2025-03-31 16:40:04

Orlando Pride Leads NWSL Power Rankings After Victory Streak

Orlando Pride leads NWSL Power Rankings with a victory sealed by Marta's penalty goal, while Angel City rises. Topics also include impressive performances by Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit. read more

2025-03-14 10:10:45

Major NWSL Offseason Trades Set Stage for 2025 Season

Jaedyn Shaw traded from San Diego to North Carolina in the NWSL offseason. The move, worth $450,000, is seen as a fresh start for Shaw after the challenging season with San Diego. read more

2025-03-08 01:40:45

Investigation Launched into Bay FC Coaching Staff Allegations

An investigation into Bay FC's coaching staff over a 'toxic' work environment is underway after reports surfaced. The NWSL is reviewing complaints made against the team, which is the second instance of scrutiny this year for the club. read more

2024-11-24 15:40:10

Marta leads Orlando Pride to NWSL Championship victory

Marta and Barbra Banda from Orlando celebrate their NWSL title win against Washington, marking Marta's first club level championship in 13 years. The victory highlights the importance of defense and investment in the league. read more