Sam Kerr scores her first Gotham FC goal as the Bats draw Portland Thorns FC 2-2, while Sofia Cantore lifts Washington Spirit past Lindsey Heaps and Denver Summit FC 1-0. GOAL ranks all 16 NWSL teams in this week’s Power Rankings.
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.
Laura Harvey, who has coached the Seattle Reign since 2021, revealed that she used ChatGPT to help form her tactics this season. The English manager admitted that the AI system helped her lay out a defensive system, which she then put into place for her playoff-bound Reign ahead of the campaign. They are currently fourth in the NWSL after finishing 13th last season.
Kansas City Current captain Lo'eau LaBonta has been added to the U.S. women's national team roster for the upcoming October friendlies, replacing injured Seattle Reign midfielder Sam Meza ahead of matches against Portugal and New Zealand. LaBonta will have opportunity to play in front of her club crowd on Oct. 29.
The Kansas City Current have become the quickest team ever to win the National Women's Soccer League Shield after extending their winning streak to 14 matches. The Current beat Seattle Reign FC 2-0 to secure the title with five games to spare in the 2025 season. This was the club's first major trophy since being formed in 2020.
NWSL veteran Savannah DeMelo collapsed shortly before half time of Racing Louisville's fixture with Seattle Reign on Sunday, with the match subsequently suspended. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, and was "stable and alert" later on Sunday, according to club officials. The 27-year-old has battled Graves disease and hyperthyroidism.
Seattle Reign FC
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