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Orlando Pride

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Gotham FC lift NWSL

Six takeaways: Spirit open NWSL 2026 as Legacy, Summit debut

The NWSL has unveiled its 2026 regular-season schedule, opening March 13 with Washington Spirit hosting the Portland Thorns. Opening weekend also features expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC making their league debuts on March 14, with Boston hosting defending champions Gotham FC and Denver opening on the road against Bay FC. Here are GOAL’s six takeaways.

Alessia Russo Ella Toone Mariona Caldentey Emma Hayes composite

Russo among 11 Lionesses on FIFPRO XI shortlist as Caldentey snubbed

Alessia Russo is one of 11 Lionesses on the list of nominees for this year's FIFPRO XI, which also includes seven players from the Spain side England beat in the European Championship final - albeit not Mariona Caldentey, who put La Roja ahead in that game and finished as runner-up to Aitana Bonmati at the Ballon d'Or. That's not the only surprise, either, with Mary Earps included and there no representation for the United States women's national team.

Frequently asked questions

One of the oldest football clubs in the world, Middlesbrough were formed in 1876 by members of the Middlesbrough Cricket Club at the Albert Park Hotel.

British entrepreneur Steve Gibson is the owner as well as chairman of Middlesbrough, acquiring the reins in 1994.

Middlesbrough play their games at the Riverside Stadium, which replaced Ayresome Park in 1995 as the club's main home venue.

Riverside Stadium's capacity stands at 34,742 and has been the home of Middlesbrough since 1995. From 1879 to 1903, the club played their games at Linthorpe Road, before moving to Ayresome Park in 1903. Middlesbrough played at this venue for 92 years till 1995.

Middlesbrough have won just one honour throughout their history, the League Cup title in the 2003-04 season.

Middlesbrough have not won a single English top flight title yet.

Former English goalkeeper Tim Williamson holds the record of making the most appearances for Middlesbrough, playing 602 games between 1902 and 1923.

George Camsell, a ruthless striker for Middlesbrough between 1925 and 1939, scored a club-record 325 goals in 419 games, which also includes 59 goals in 37 league games in the 1926-27 season.

Brian Clough, Gareth Southgate, Adama Traore, Marcus Tavernier, Alvaro Negredo, Victor Valdes, and Shay Given are some of Middlesbrough's most famous players ever.

Terry Venables, Michael Carrick, and Gareth Southgate are some of the most famous managers to have managed Middlesbrough.

Boro, the shortened version of the club name, is Middlesbrough's nickname. They have also been called The Teessiders and The Smoggies.