North Carolina Courage Overview

The 2026 summer transfer window promised to be an extremely eventful one in the women's game, with several huge stars on the move, and so it proved. Alexia Putellas, Georgia Stanway and Sam Kerr were just some of those who completed transfers as some of the biggest names in the sport found themselves new clubs over the past three months or so.

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.

Angel City shocked San Diego, Seattle claimed Cascadia bragging rights and Washington rose to the top of GOAL’s latest ranking of all 16 NWSL teams.

Chelsea FC have signed Japan international midfielder Manaka Matsukubo from the National Women's Soccer League's North Carolina Courage. The 21-year-old joins the Blues on a five-year contract after a standout season in which she won the NWSL Midfielder of the Year award, adding another rising star to Chelsea's midfield ahead of the new campaign.