NWSL

Something is in the air this summer as soccer players around the world keep scoring outside of the box screamers. We’ve seen amazing goals in the Euros, MLS and now a spectacular Rose Lavelle goal vs San Diego Wave.

Gotham FC defeated San Diego 2-1 on Wednesday courtesy of a 25-yard rocket from Lavelle and a 98th minute winner from Maycee Bell.

Rose opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime to get the home crowd in Red Bull Arena on their feet.

Rose Lavelle goal vs San Diego Wave

The Washington Spirit will host English soccer powers Arsenal and Chelsea F.C. for a pair of international friendlies in August.

The club announced the inaugural Washington Spirit International Friendlies on Monday.

Washington Spirit friendlies announced

Arsenal and Chelsea are set to compete in the Washington Spirit International Friendlies at Audi Field this August!

Arsenal makes their USA debut facing Washington Spirit on August 18th and Chelsea on August 25th.

Sophia had an interesting end to her night in Portland. And by interesting we mean hilarious.

USWNT and Portland Thorns striker Sophia Smith scored the game-winner for her club in their 1-0 home win over North Carolina Courage on Saturday, extending her incredible form in the NWSL and cementing her star-power in the league as one of the best forwards in the last few seasons.

Her crucial penalty and ninth goal of the season against the Courage saw Smith become only one of three players to record 15 goal contributions in three separate NWSL campaigns.

Saturday's match at Wrigley Field between the host Chicago Red Stars and Bay FC set a league attendance record.

The announced crowd of 35,038 fans broke the previous NWSL mark of 34,130, set when Megan Rapinoe played her final home match for the Seattle Reign in October 2023.

NWSL attendance record set at Wrigley Field

The first edition of the Women's Club World Cup has been proposed to start during January-February 2026 and the 16-team tournament will be held every four years, world soccer governing body FIFA said on Wednesday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino in May 2021 revealed their plans to introduce the Women's Club World Cup as part of a plan to "revolutionize" the female game.

FIFA, whose council met in advance of the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, did not provide any further details at this stage.

Infantino is the latest soccer personality to criticize the United States’ infamous pay-to-play system.

During the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed an observation that has surprised him about soccer in the United States: the prevalence of the pay-to-play system. 

According to the head of FIFA, for American soccer to achieve its maximum potential, the nation must get rid this significant obstacle to participation in the youth ranks.

Jaedyn is not showing any signs of slowing down, showcasing her incredible playmaking skills that ended in yet another record-breaking goal.

The San Diego Wave defeated Bay FC 2-1 on Saturday, clinching a late-win at Snapdragon Stadium after USWNT’s Jaedyn Shaw took matter into her own hands to orchestrate and score the Wave’s winning goal.

Jaedyn Shaw incredible goal vs. Bay FC

Despite only coming onto the pitch from the bench in the second half, Shaw took no time to make an impact for her club.

The Chicago Red Stars will host Bay FC in the first-ever NWSL match at Wrigley Field on June 8.

"Playing at Wrigley Field will be the event that fans of the Red Stars, Cubs and Chicago sports won't want to miss," Red Stars president Karen Leetzow said in a news release on Tuesday.

The Portland Thorns signed forward Sophia Smith to a two-year contract extension Tuesday, making her the highest paid player in the NWSL, ESPN reported.

While Smith's deal runs through the 2025 season, the contract will include an option for 2026.

No. 9

We’ve agreed to a contract extension with forward Sophia Smith.

More here: https://t.co/5lmwcbQau3 pic.twitter.com/suBqSm86qy

Gotham FC and United States women’s national team forward Midge Purce is out for the season and unavailable for this summer’s Olympics after suffering an ACL injury.

Purce was substituted in the first half of her side’s 1-0 victory against the Portland Thorns on Sunday after picking up an injury.

The 28-year-old confirmed on social media that she had sustained an ACL injury and will be out for an extended period.

Midge Purce ACL injury