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Claudia Martinez NXGN GFX

Paraguay's teen sensation set to link up with Rodman in NWSL

There were so many big names to watch at last year's Copa America Femenina. Marta's emergence out of international retirement was the major storyline going into the tournament, where stars such as Real Madrid's Linda Caicedo, Chelsea's Mayra Ramirez and Manchester City's Kerolin were also primed to shine. But these events also provide the platform for new names to rise to the fore, and that is exactly what happened with a 17-year-old sensation from Paraguay by the name of Claudia Martinez.

USWNT GFX Feb. 17

Rodman, Heaps in, Macario out as Hayes names SheBelieves roster

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes named a 26-player roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, marking her second edition of the tournament in charge. The squad features the return of nearly all U.S.-based players abroad, with Chelsea forward Catarina Macario the lone notable absence and no uncapped players included.

Chelsea FC Women v FC Barcelona - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

Report: Catarina Macario nearing NWSL move with San Diego Wave

San Diego Wave FC are reportedly in advanced talks to sign U.S. international Catarina Macario, with ESPN confirming the NWSL side are front-runners for her signature. The Chelsea forward, who is nearing the end of her contract in London, prefers a return to the United States despite interest from top European clubs, including Barcelona.

Catarina Macario Barcelona composite

USWNT star Macario has Barca offer amid uncertain Chelsea future

United States star Catarina Macario reportedly has an offer on the table from three-time Champions League winners Barcelona, amid growing interest in her services from major clubs across Europe. Macario's contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season and it has also been reported that she has turned down a new deal with the Blues, making her a figure of real interest as the summer transfer window approaches.

Keira Barry Bay FC gfx

Lionesses prospect leaves Man Utd for NWSL side Bay FC

Manchester United have bid farewell to a highly-rated Lionesses prospect after Keira Barry ended her 10-year association with the club and joined NWSL side Bay FC. It's the second time this week that head coach Emma Coates has brought a familiar face over to the United States, having left her role in the England's youth national teams to take up this position in December.

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Anouk Denton England Bay FC gfx

England's newest Lioness Denton moves to NWSL in record deal

England's most recent debutante, Anouk Denton, has joined NWSL club Bay FC from West Ham in what is reportedly a club-record sale for the Hammers. The 22-year-old defender won her first cap for the Lionesses back in December and is now set for a new chapter in 2026, moving to the United States after impressing in London for the last three years.

Katie McCabe Arsenal Women 2025-26

Why Arsenal are set to end club legend McCabe's decade-long stay

Arsenal icon Katie McCabe is set to leave the club at the end of the season as the Gunners prepare for what is going to be a huge summer. The Ireland international is one of 10 players soon to be out of contract in north London and, as Arsenal near deals for both England's Georgia Stanway and Barcelona's Ona Batlle, her 11-year stay at the club will reportedly come to an end.

Trinity Rodman GFX

Trinity Rodman resigns with Spirit on NWSL-record deal

U.S. international Trinity Rodman has agreed to a three-year deal to remain with the Washington Spirit, ending months of uncertainty surrounding her future. The agreement follows the NWSL’s introduction of the High Impact Player rule, though it remains unclear whether Rodman will be formally classified under the designation once it takes effect in July.

Ted Lasso

Trophy for Ted Lasso? Star wants ‘revenge arc’ in Season 4

Ted Lasso star Toheeb Jimoh, who plays Sam Obisanya in the hit Apple TV+ show, is hoping to see a “revenge arc” delivered in Season 4 that allows the title character to land a much-deserved trophy. Jason Sudeikis and Co are working through production of more escapades in the world of AFC Richmond, with an affable American coach preparing to return to the small screen.

NJ/NY Gotham FC NWSL 2025 Champions Parade

Gotham's Reale wins U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year

Gotham FC defender Lilly Reale has been named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year following a remarkable rookie season that quickly elevated her to the senior national team. Reale enjoyed an immediate impact in her first professional campaign, establishing herself as a reliable presence at left back while contributing on both sides of the ball.

Washington Spirit v NJ/NY Gotham FC - NWSL Championship 2025 Presented by Google Pixel

Rose Lavelle named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year

Rose Lavelle has been voted the 2025 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, earning the honor for the first time in her decorated international career. The award caps a standout year in which the longtime U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder played a central role for both club and country. Lavelle overcame a delayed start to the season following ankle surgery.

Trinity Rodman

NWSLPA files a formal grievance against the NWSL

The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) filed a grievance against the NWSL's implementation of the “High Impact Player" (HIP) Rule. The NWSLPA states that the HIP violates the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and federal labor law. This is the second grievance filed by the NWSLPA against the league.

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.

Lindsey Heaps USMNT vs China HIC

'Excited to come home' - USWNT's Heaps signs with Denver Summit

U.S. Women’s National Team captain Lindsey Heaps is returning to her home state of Colorado, set to join NWSL expansion side Denver Summit FC in a blockbuster signing. The midfielder will link up with the club following the conclusion of her season with OL Lyonnes, expected in June 2026. Heaps has 170 international caps and has scored 38 goals.

Laila Harbert NXGN GFX

Arsenal's Lionesses prospect learning from the USWNT's best

Arsenal have had their fair share of success stories over the years when it comes to the women's side of the academy. Leah Williamson, England's two-time European Championship-winning captain, and Lotte Wubben-Moy, also part of those triumphs with the Lionesses, are two of the most high-profiles examples of players who have progressed through the youth set-up and become key members of the first team - and they will not be the last.

United States v Portugal - International Friendly

Man City in advanced talks to sign USWNT star Coffey

Manchester City are reportedly in advanced talks to sign United States international Sam Coffey from Portland Thorns. The Women's Super League pacesetters are seeking to end Chelsea's six-year stranglehold on the division, and now they are progressing with an eye-catching move for the midfielder. If they get this deal over the line, this could be a huge boost in their title bid.

Emma Hayes

'Unattached' Rodman headlines Hayes' USWNT roster call ups

Trinity Rodman headlines U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes’ 26-player January training camp roster ahead of matches against Paraguay and Chile. The camp falls outside a FIFA international window and features exclusively NWSL players, with Rodman - currently unattached to a club - included in the squad.

Washington Spirit v NJ/NY Gotham FC - NWSL Championship 2025 Presented by Google Pixel

NWSL implements High Impact Player rule despite opposition

The NWSL announced Tuesday that it will introduce a new “High Impact Player” (HIP) rule beginning in 2026, allowing teams to spend up to $1 million above the league’s salary cap on qualifying players. The decision was met with swift opposition from the NWSL Players Association, which argues the league cannot unilaterally alter compensation structures without collective bargaining.

Sophia Wilson Portland Thorns

Sophia Wilson is returning to Portland Thorns for 2026 season

Sophia Wilson will return to the Portland Thorns for the 2026 NWSL season after exercising the player option in her contract. The 25-year-old U.S. women’s national team forward missed the 2025 campaign while on maternity leave, but is set to resume her career with the club where it began after she was selected No. 1 in the 2020 NWSL College Draft, and became a central figure in Portland’s sustained success.

Frequently asked questions

Barcelona are the most successful Copa del Rey side in history, winning the cup 31 times, seven more than Athletic Bilbao and 11 more than bitter rivals Real Madrid. Their first-ever Copa del Rey win came in the 1909-10 season. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Catalans have lifted this trophy six times.

Currently, as many as 126 teams participate in the Copa del Rey, starting at the top from La Liga and going all the way down to the Tercera Federacion, the fifth tier in Spanish football league system. In its inaugural edition in 1903, just three teams (Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, and Madrid FC) took part.

Former Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward Piru Gainza is Copa del Rey's record-appearance maker ever, featuring in 99 games in the cup competition.

Iconic Spanish forward Telmo Zarra is Copa del Rey's all-time top scorer, finding the back of the net on 81 occasions between 1939 and 1957. All those goals came in an Athletic Bilbao shirt.

CD Bunol goalkeeper Paco is the oldest player to ever feature in a Copa del Rey game, achieving the feat against Real Sociedad in 2023 at the age of 44 years and 231 days.

Armando Sagi is the youngest player to ever feature in a Copa del Rey game. Playing for Barcelona, Sagi was just 15 years and 339 days old when he made his debut in the competition on April 2, 1922.

Antoine Griezmann, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Neymar, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Telmo Zarra, Sergio Busquets, Roberto Carlos, Luis Suarez, and Xavi are some of the most famous players to have played in the Copa del Rey.

Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique, Juande Ramos, Claudio Ranieri, Louis van Gaal, Sir Bobby Robson, Cesar Menotti, Miguel Munoz, and Ferdinand Daucik are some of Copa del Rey's most famous mangers.