NWSL

National Women's Soccer League

FIFA approves new women's match calendar - what it means for players and leagues

Explaining what the changes mean for player recovery and leagues around the world

Meg Linehan and Steph Yang4

At Gotham, Ann-Katrin Berger aims to catch up to NWSL speed and reach Olympic dream

Melanie Anzidei6

Why Chelsea are considering sale of a minority stake in their women's team

Adam Crafton, Steph Yang and more18

Manchester United's Nikita Parris turned down NWSL move in bid to win FA Cup

David Ornstein12

Current, Courage face scheduling headaches; Emma Hayes leaves social media: Full Time

The Athletic Staff10

USWNT two-time World Cup winner Kelley O'Hara set to retire at the end of 2024 NWSL season

The accomplished defender has also won two NWSL Championships in the last three seasons.

Meg Linehan19

Dash GM explains María Sánchez trade, says there's 'buy-in and belief' as team searches for results

Singer says the Dash is building and that the process needs time

Steph Yang12

USWNT legend Carli Lloyd pregnant with her first child, details 'indescribable roller coaster' IVF journey

"It has been a rollercoaster of a journey to get to this point," Lloyd said. "We are beyond excited to be parents!"

Jenna West33

Orlando Pride midfielder Luana diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma

Orlando Pride midfielder Luana has been ruled out for the rest of the season after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The NWSL side confirmed that the 30-year-old will immediately begin chemotherapy treatment with the Orlando Health Cancer Institute. The Mayo Clinic defines Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as “a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system”. Luana, a former Paris Saint-Germain player who joined the Pride from Brazilian side Corinthians on a two-year contract in December 2023, has made three...

Nnamdi Onyeagwara6

Rose Lavelle scores stoppage-time equalizer on return from injury for Gotham FC

Rose Lavelle celebrated her return from injury and her debut for Gotham FC with a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville on Sunday. Lavelle has not appeared in a match for club or country since suffering a leg injury while on USWNT duty at the W Gold Cup at the start of this year. She entered Sunday’s match as a 74th-minute substitute for Lynn Williams with the score tied 0-0. Reilyn Turner had seemingly delivered three points away from home for Louisville with a goal in the fifth of 10 minutes of stoppage time, but Lavelle’s equalizer came not long after,...

Melanie Anzidei and The Athletic Staff13

Megan Rapinoe talks business of women's sports, the Caitlin Clark effect, USWNT and more

Rapinoe says, "Everything in life happens in women's sports."

Meg Linehan16

Brazil legend Marta to retire from international duty this year

Brazilian legend Marta will retire from international football this year. The 38-year-old confirmed the news in an interview with CNN Esportes S/A that airs Sunday, saying she is at peace with her decision given the promising future of Brazil’s national team, which has a pipeline of young, blossoming talent. “This is my last year, and I can already confirm it here. There is a moment when we have to understand that the time has come,” Marta told CNN. “I am very calm about this, because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes.” Marta...

Melanie Anzidei8

Kansas City Current fires head of medical for violating NWSL non-fraternization policy

Carlos Jimenez joined the KC Current as head of medical this past offseason.

Meg Linehan42

NWSL's busy trade deadline; USWNT Olympic hopefuls injured: Full Time

Plus, a closer look at Croix Bethune's most recent goal.

The Athletic Staff18

Tierna Davidson joins Alex Morgan on growing USWNT injury list as Olympics near

Two U.S. women’s national team Olympic hopefuls have already joined the team’s growing injury list this weekend. Gotham FC and USWNT defender Tierna Davidson left a match against the Washington Spirit early on Saturday with an apparent hamstring issue. She walked off unassisted but was ultimately replaced by teammate Sam Hiatt. During halftime, Davidson was walking around. She was still on the team’s bench at the start of the second half. Midway through the first half, Davidson had been sprinting back to the goal to cover a run from Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, but pulled...

Emily Olsen and Steph Yang7

Alex Morgan exits San Diego Wave game after injuring ankle: What it could mean for USWNT's Olympic campaign

The 2024 Olympic tournament kicks off in France in just under 100 days.

Alexander Abnos and Tess DeMeyer35

Maria Sanchez trade: San Diego Wave acquire winger from Houston Dash after request

Sánchez signed a blockbuster $1.5 million contract with the Dash in December 2023 that was supposed to keep her in Houston through 2026.

Steph Yang16

Ann-Katrin Berger leaves Chelsea for Gotham FC

Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has joined Gotham FC for an undisclosed transfer fee. The Germany international, 33, joins the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side on a one-year deal with the option of a further year. Berger leaves Chelsea having made 114 appearances for the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions across six years. “I am incredibly excited to join Gotham FC for this season,” Berger said. “The NWSL is one of the top leagues in the world right now, and I am very excited to compete and be a part of this league.” Chelsea paid tribute and wished Berger...

Meg Linehan48

Watching Emma Hayes' Chelsea with Mark Parsons: 'These games are where she feels alive'

The Athletic watches Chelsea's game against Aston Villa with the former Netherlands and Portland Thorns manager

Charlotte Harpur16

Pressure on the Portland Thorns; Emma Hayes' poetic moment: Full Time

Plus, Jack Harlow's dog

The Athletic Staff4

Portland Thorns promote Mike Norris to technical director, name Rob Gale interim head coach

Sign up for Full Time: The biggest women’s soccer stories on the USWNT, NWSL, and more, straight to your inbox. The Portland Thorns are restructuring their technical department, making head coach Mike Norris their new technical director, following the club’s worst start to an NWSL season. Portland is currently in last place, having only managed a single point through the first four weeks of the 2024 season with a 0-1-3 record. Rob Gale has been named interim head coach. Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc told The Athletic the team will conduct a global search for Norris’ full-time...

Meg Linehan30

U.S. Soccer took a gamble waiting for Emma Hayes, leaving USWNT's style of play in limbo

Is the USWNT any better prepared to contend at this summer's Olympics than it was when Sweden knocked it out of the World Cup?

Jeff Rueter53

Gotham FC's 13-year-old trainee Mak Whitham is scoring goals and readying to go pro

Whitham joined Gotham FC for preseason and could rejoin the team in April after signing an NIL deal with Nike

Melanie Anzidei32

USWNT navigated uncertainty to win trophies but questions remain ahead of Emma Hayes’ arrival

USWNT handled uncertain interim period by winning two trophies. Its resolve could provide a springboard for Emma Hayes ahead of the Olympics

Steph Yang27

JJ and Kealia Watt to compete in seven-a-side summer soccer tournament with Premier League side Burnley

Former American sports stars JJ and Kealia Watt will be competing in The Soccer Tournament (TST) being played in Cary, North Carolina, this summer. Premier League club Burnley will be participating in the competition, with co-owners JJ and Kealia captaining their men’s and women’s teams. JJ, a former Houston Texans player, five-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL defensive player of the year, along with Kealia, a former forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), made a formal investment in Burnley last May. Burnley’s participation means they will become the...

Omar Garrick44