Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip — where the West Coast brings the drama, and the Midwest keeps dropping goals.

Before we get into the matches, we’ve got a big-picture question for you: Should the NWSL go Euro? Our media rep Brian Rapuano dives deep into promotion/relegation, academy pipelines, and what a European-style overhaul could look like in the U.S. women’s game. It’s bold, thought-provoking, and worth a read. [Full piece below.]

Now, onto the pitch: Kansas City keeps steamrolling with another high-octane win, while San Diego clawed back for a late rally in Houston. Portland shut out the Spirit, Orlando edged Bay FC in a slugfest, and Angel City’s home crowd witnessed both a stoppage-time dagger and a powerful political message — as the club handed out “Immigrant City” shirts in protest of recent ICE raids.

Off the field, Nicole Barnhart’s vibrant Pride shirt design rolled out across the league, and the NWSL Championship is officially heading back to California — this time to San Jose’s PayPal Park. Let’s get into it. 👇

• NWSL: Houston Dash vs SD Wave (2-3)

• NWSL: KC Current vs Racing Louisvilles (4-2)

• NWSL: Portland Thorns vs Washington Spirit (2-0)

• NWSL: Angel City vs NC Courage (1-2)

• NWSL: Bay FC vs Orlando Pride (0-1)

• GG Analysis: Should NWSL go Euro?

• News: Angel City Hands Out “Immigrant City” Shirts

• News: NWSL Championship Returns to California

• News: Nicole Barnhart Designs NWSL Pride Shirts

Houston Dash vs
SD Wave (2-3)

San Diego Wave FC held off a late Houston push to earn a 3-2 road win on Friday night, marking their fourth straight away victory and pushing their season goal tally to a league-leading 25. Adriana Leon celebrated her 100th NWSL appearance with her fourth goal of the season, while Kenza Dali and María Sánchez also found the net, with the Wave dominating for much of the match and jumping out to a 3-0 lead by the 51st minute.

Houston battled back with second-half goals from Bárbara Olivieri and Yazmeen Ryan, but the deficit proved too much to overcome. The Wave's French trio — Dali, Cascarino, and Morroni — continued to drive the attack, contributing to more than half of the team’s goals this season. With Cascarino tying Alex Morgan’s club assist record and Sánchez contributing to goals in three straight games, San Diego looks like a team heating up at the right time.

KC Current vs
Racing Louisville (4-2)

The Kansas City Current put on a show in their long-awaited return to CPKC Stadium, powering past Racing Louisville 4-2 to extend their winning streak to five and remain atop the NWSL standings. Michelle Cooper sparked a dream start with a dangerous cross that forced an early own goal before adding one of her own just 13 minutes later. Bia Zaneratto followed up with a third in the 19th minute, capping off a dominant opening half fueled by Vanessa DiBernardo’s record-tying assist. Though Louisville clawed back with two second-half goals, Temwa Chawinga sealed the win with a stunning solo effort in stoppage time — her eighth of the season and fifth consecutive match with a goal.

Saturday’s win marked Kansas City’s 21st victory in 25 matches at CPKC Stadium and the club’s 18th consecutive home sellout. With the league’s best attack (46 first-half goals since 2024) and a perfect home record in 2025, the Current continue to thrive on momentum, fan energy, and a lethal front line. DiBernardo’s milestone, Chawinga’s brilliance, and Cooper’s rise have Kansas City looking like the league’s team to beat.

Angel City vs
NC Courage (2-1)

Angel City suffered a tough 2–1 home loss to the North Carolina Courage, conceding a stoppage-time winner after a scrappy, back-and-forth match. The Courage struck just 47 seconds in via Manaka Matsukubo, but Riley Tiernan answered for ACFC in the 11th minute with a perfectly placed header off a Gisele Thompson cross. Both sides had quality chances throughout, with goalkeepers Angelina Anderson and Casey Murphy coming up big to keep things level.

But in the 95th minute, after a flurry of blocked shots, Brianna Pinto pounced on a rebound to give North Carolina all three points. It was a heartbreaking finish for Angel City, who had shown flashes of attacking creativity but couldn’t capitalize in key moments. They now face a daunting road test against first-place Kansas City next.

Portland Thorns vs
Washington Spirit (2-0)

The Portland Thorns handed the Washington Spirit a 2-0 defeat on Sunday, snapping the Spirit’s perfect five-game road streak and continuing their own dominance at Providence Park. Reilyn Turner opened the scoring in the 39th minute, finishing off a smooth sequence from Olivia Moultrie and Jessie Fleming, while Pietra Tordin sealed the win in the 82nd after a clutch save by Bella Bixby on the other end.

Despite key injuries up top, Portland stayed unbeaten at home for the eighth straight match. Meanwhile, Washington’s struggles in the Rose City continue — they’ve now failed to win in all 15 visits to Portland, and remain without Trinity Rodman as she recovers from a back injury.

Bay FC vs
Orlando Pride (0-1)

The Orlando Pride extended their winning streak to three with a gritty 1-0 road victory over Bay FC, powered by Barbra Banda’s eighth goal of the season and anchored by a resilient defensive stand. After a sluggish first half, the Pride struck in the 58th minute when Banda capitalized on a quick free kick, cutting inside and firing a shot that deflected in for the game’s lone goal. From there, it was all about survival, as Orlando weathered wave after wave of Bay FC pressure — including several last-gasp attempts deep into stoppage time — to secure their fifth clean sheet of the season.

Despite being outshot 20-7 and absorbing relentless late pressure, the Pride’s collective defensive effort, led by goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and a disciplined back line, proved enough to hold on. Head coach Seb Hines praised the team’s character, crediting the rotation and unity across the pitch for getting them back to their identity: tough to score on, tough to beat. With the win, Orlando climbs to second in the table and continues to build momentum ahead of next week’s match in Louisville.

Should the NWSL Go Euro?

With the NWSL on break, our media rep Brian Rapuano took the opportunity to ask a big question: what if the league adopted a European-style system? From promotion/relegation to academy development and seasonal shifts, Brian dives deep into what that could mean for the growth of the women’s game in the U.S.

Read his full breakdown and let us know—should the NWSL go Euro?

Angel City Hands Out
“Immigrant City” Shirts

In response to ongoing ICE raids and protests in Los Angeles, Angel City took a bold stance during their Saturday night match by distributing 10,000 “Immigrant City Football Club” shirts to fans and wearing them pregame. Players, coaches, and staff visibly stood with the immigrant community, while founding investor Becky G read a statement affirming that “football does not exist without immigrants.” The action followed earlier statements from the club and the NWSL Players Association condemning the raids and calling for dignity and compassion for all people.

The coordinated demonstration, done in collaboration with supporter groups, comes amid growing tension around immigration enforcement in L.A. and stricter stadium policies that often prohibit politically charged signage. While MLS teams like LAFC have seen silent protests and large banners calling to abolish ICE, Angel City’s approach was more structured but equally pointed — signaling a deepening intersection between sports and social advocacy in Los Angeles.

NWSL Championship
Returns to California

The 2025 NWSL Championship will be held at PayPal Park in San Jose on November 22, marking the league's return to California for the final just two years after a record-setting crowd in San Diego. The 18,000-seat stadium, home to Bay FC and MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes, has hosted numerous U.S. national team matches and will now take center stage in celebrating the NWSL's best. League commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the Bay Area's deep soccer roots and the growing energy around Bay FC as key reasons for selecting the venue, reaffirming the league’s commitment to predetermined sites.

Bay FC is also aiming to break the NWSL regular-season attendance record this August at Oracle Park, highlighting the region’s growing fanbase. As the league pushes forward commercially, San Francisco may host additional events around the final to help grow the championship into a marquee weekend.

NWSL Championship Hosting History:

• 2013: Sahlen's Stadium, Rochester, NY – Portland 2-0 WNY Flash

• 2014: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, WA – FCKC 2-1 Seattle

• 2015: Providence Park, Portland, OR – FCKC 1-0 Seattle

• 2016: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX – WNY Flash (PKs) vs. Washington

• 2017: Orlando City Stadium, FL – Portland 1-0 North Carolina

• 2018: Providence Park, OR – NC Courage 3-0 Portland

• 2019: WakeMed Park, Cary, NC – NC Courage 4-0 Chicago

• 2020: Season canceled (COVID-19)

• 2021: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, KY – Washington 2-1 Chicago

• 2022: Audi Field, Washington, D.C. – Portland 2-0 KC Current

• 2023: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA – Gotham 2-1 Seattle Reign

• 2024: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO – Orlando 1-0 Washington

• 2025: PayPal Park, San Jose, CA

Nicole Barnhart Designs
NWSL Pride Shirts

This Pride Month, players across the NWSL are donning vibrant pregame shirts designed by former goalkeeper and current Washington Spirit coach Nicole Barnhart. Known affectionately as “Barnie,” she brought her artistic flair to life through a design bursting with color and symbolism: a rainbow encircling a soccer ball, hands forming a heart, a shadowed player in motion, and cheering crowds. Barnhart, who’s part of the NWSL’s “Beyond the Field” program, said she wanted the design to reflect love, energy, and unity — a celebration of both players and fans who make up the soul of the league.

For Barnhart, who previously created the Spirit’s Disability Awareness shirts, the Pride project was another opportunity to combine passion with purpose. She emphasized the league’s power to influence culture and promote inclusion, noting the importance of using its platform to celebrate LGBTQIA+ history and community. Fans can purchase the shirts throughout the month, with proceeds benefiting LGBTQIA+ organizations and local causes chosen by clubs.