Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

Happy New Year! We hope your holiday break was a bit more restful than the one our sport just had. Between two of the biggest weddings in soccer history and a generational talent returning to Portland, the 2026 season is already demanding our full attention. We have a lot to cover. From Gotham’s Spanish residency to the stats that defined the 2025 goalkeeping race, the year is off to a flying start.

• Updates this week:

  • News: Two must-see weddings in women’s soccer

  • News: Sophia Wilson returns to Rose City

  • News: Gotham FC moves preseason training to Spain

  • Liga MX: Monterrey dominant in Liga MX Femenil return

  • Stats: Our NWSL “Brick Wall” Leaderboard

A New Year of Soccer
Royalty Weddings

The soccer world paused this week to celebrate what fans have dubbed the "Royal Wedding" of the sport. Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis tied the knot on New Year’s Eve at Villa Dionysus, a private estate in Australia’s Swan Valley. The celebration hosted roughly 120 guests, including many of Kerr's Matildas teammates who swapped cleats for formal wear to ring in 2026. Kerr opted for a sharp black tuxedo while Mewis wore a beaded off-the-shoulder gown, marking a new chapter for the couple whose romance first went viral during the Tokyo Olympics. Their son, Jagger, was also part of the festivities, anchoring a day that felt as much about family as it did about international stardom.

Just two days later, the celebrations shifted to Florida as the legendary Marta married her former Orlando Pride teammate Carrie Lawrence on January 2. While the ceremony was a quieter affair compared to the Perth party, its significance for the game is just as heavy. Marta, a six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, wore a chic combination of a blazer and hat while Lawrence chose a white lace dress for the occasion. This union brings together two cornerstones of the Pride community, with Lawrence recently retiring while Marta remains a force in the NWSL.

For more details and imagery from these two historic celebrations, check out the links below:

💍 Sam Kerr & Kristie Mewis

• Out Magazine: Features photos and details of "Soccer's Royal Wedding," including Sam's tuxedo and Kristie's off-the-shoulder gown.

• The New Daily: Highlights heartwarming moments like baby Jagger joining the ceremony and the New Year's Eve party atmosphere.

• Goal.com: Provides a comprehensive look at the venue at Villa Dionysus.

👰 Marta & Carrie Lawrence

• Hola! USA: Exclusive photos from the Pelican Club ceremony in Jupiter, Florida, detailing Marta's Brazilian-fabric suit and Carrie's lace dress.

• GO Magazine: An insightful piece on the cultural significance of both weddings and the impact of queer visibility in professional sports.

• Mombian: Covers the family-focused aspects of the events and the different paths to parenthood taken by both couples.

Good News in Rose City
As Wilson Returns

Portland Thorns fans received the news they had been waiting for as Sophia Wilson officially exercised her player option for the 2026 season. Wilson, formerly known as Sophia Smith, missed the entire 2025 campaign on maternity leave. Her return is valued at a reported $1 million, making it one of the most significant contracts in the league.

The former MVP was the youngest player in NWSL history to reach 50 goal contributions (until she was beat by Trinity Rodman recently). Her presence in the lineup immediately restores Portland to title-contender status after the team finished third in 2025. Wilson expressed her excitement about returning to Providence Park, noting that there is no other place she would rather play her football.

Gotham FC’s Championship
Hopes Begin in Spain

Gotham FC has traded the New Jersey winter for the Mediterranean coast to begin a high-stakes training block. The reigning NWSL champions officially opened their preseason residency at the Sotogrande Football Center this week. This move signals a massive shift in how American clubs prepare for the global stage.

The residency serves as the foundation for the upcoming FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in London. Juan Carlos Amorós has his squad focused on a difficult semifinal against Brazilian giants Corinthians on January 28. The match carries a personal edge for star signing Gabi Portilho, who faces her former club just months after moving to the United States. A victory at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium would send the Bats to the final at the Emirates Stadium on February 1.

Gotham is currently chasing its third major trophy in less than a year after dominant runs in the NWSL and Concacaf. By choosing an elite environment in Spain, the front office is proving that they view this club as a global powerhouse. Success in the Champions Cup would solidify their position at the very top of the game.

Monterrey Make Statement in
Liga MX Femenil Return

Monterrey opened their Clausura 2026 campaign with a display of pure efficiency. The Rayadas dismantled Puebla 4-0 in a match that felt decided long before the final whistle. It was a clinical performance. The four-goal margin reflects a side that has no intention of relinquishing its status as one of Mexico’s elite.

The match was defined by Monterrey's ability to transition quickly and punish errors. Puebla struggled to keep pace with the movement of the Rayadas’ front line. Each goal came from disciplined build-up play and sharp finishing. The defense remained equally resolute, denying Puebla any significant path back into the game. Check out the team’s matchday vlog here.

Our “Brick Wall”
Leaderboard

The 2025 NWSL regular season established a new standard for goalkeeping excellence, as highlighted by our "Brick Wall" leaderboard. Lorena of the Kansas City Current delivered a historically dominant campaign, leading the league with 14 clean sheets. Her consistency was a primary factor in Kansas City securing the No. 1 overall seed and finishing the season with an unbeaten home record. Beyond her ability to shut out opponents, Lorena maintained a league-high 82.4% save percentage, establishing herself as the most clinical shot-stopper in the league.

The leaderboard reveals a significant gap between Lorena and the rest of the field. Ann-Katrin Berger of Gotham FC followed in second place with 10 clean sheets and a 76.7% save percentage, anchoring a defense that helped her club secure a playoff berth. Other standouts included Aubrey Kingsbury of the Washington Spirit and Claudia Dickey of the Seattle Reign, who recorded eight and seven clean sheets respectively. While Kingsbury had a higher volume of shutouts, Dickey’s efficiency was notable, as she matched Berger’s 76.7% save percentage.

This defensive data underscores why the Current entered the postseason as heavy favorites. Lorena's 14 clean sheets matched the NWSL single-season record, providing a resolute foundation for the highest-scoring team in league history. As the playoffs approach, these metrics suggest that while offensive stars often grab the headlines, the clinical efficiency of goalkeepers like Lorena and Berger will likely determine who lifts the new Tiffany & Co. trophy in November.