Pietra Tordin’s hat trick lifted Portland past Boston, while Ashley Sanchez scored against her former team in North Carolina’s wild 4-3 win over Washington.
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 annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Lena Oberdorf and Linda Caicedo in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.
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.
The NWSL finished the season with a five-percent overall dip in attendance from its record-setting 2024 season, when it averaged 11,235 fans per game. This year, the league had an average attendance of 10,669 across 182 games, nearly even with 2023. Eight of the NWSL's 14 teams had year-over-year drops. Meanwhile, four clubs set attendance records.
Two-time World Cup champion Christen Press announced her retirement from professional soccer on Wednesday, bringing an end to a remarkable 14-year career as one of the most accomplished forwards in United States women's national team history. The 36-year-old star scored 64 international goals, ranking ninth all-time in USWNT history.
Angel City Football Club announced significant additions to their star-studded ownership roster, welcoming NBA superstar Chris Paul, philanthropist Solina Chau, consultant Ina Coleman, and entrepreneur Paul Bernon. The addition of these four accomplished individuals further strengthens the club's unique ownership structure that now includes over 100 investors spanning sports and more.
Chelsea have signed United States sensation Alyssa Thompson before the WSL deadline, paying a club-record fee which surpasses the deal for Naomi Girma.
Angel City FC
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