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Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

The NWSL kept us on our toes this week. Orlando’s home fortress finally cracked with Gotham handing the Pride a 2-0 loss, while Portland peppered Utah with 22 shots but still walked away empty-handed. Washington lit up Audi Field for Pride Night yet had to settle for a draw against Chicago, and Angel City pulled out a gritty late winner over Bay to keep their playoff pulse strong. KC, of course, just keep rolling. Another 2-0 win and the first ticket punched to the postseason. Off the field, Orlando smashed the transfer record to land Lizbeth Ovalle, and English star Jess Carter’s abuse case took a step forward with an arrest. Oh, and e.l.f. Beauty doubled down on its NWSL partnership by signing four stars who are rewriting the story of the league.

• NWSL: Orlando Pride vs Gotham FC (0-2)

• NWSL: Portland Thorns vs Utah Royals (1-2)

• NWSL: Washington Spirit vs Chicago Stars (1-1)

• NWSL: Angel City vs Bay FC (2-1)

• NWSL: KC Current vs NC Courage (2-0)

• News: Orlando Pride Smash Transfer Record for Ovalle

• News: Arrest Made in Abuse of Jess Carter

• News: e.l.f. Expands NWSL Alliance

Orlando Pride vs
Gotham FC (0-2)

Orlando Pride fell 2-0 at home to Gotham FC, marking their first regular-season home loss to Gotham since 2023. Esther González, who is chasing the leagues golden boot, opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Jaelin Howell doubled the lead just before halftime, and despite Orlando’s strong start, the hosts couldn’t recover. Orlando’s Head coach Seb Hines praised his players’ effort but admitted the team is struggling to find results. The Pride now shift focus to their debut in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, where they will host Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense on Sept. 1 at Inter&Co Stadium.

Portland Thorns vs
Utah Royals (1-2)

The Portland Thorns fell 2-1 at home to the Utah Royals despite controlling much of the attack and firing 22 shots. Paige Monaghan put Utah ahead in the 22nd minute, and substitute KK Ream doubled the lead late after pouncing on a rebound. Portland kept pressing and Julie Dufour pulled one back deep into stoppage time with her first NWSL goal, but it was too late to change the outcome. Olivia Moultrie reached a milestone as the youngest player in league history to log 5,000 minutes, while goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn’s strong performance anchored Utah’s win. The Thorns now shift focus to a quick turnaround on the road at Racing Louisville.

Washington Spirit vs
Chicago Stars (1-1)

The Washington Spirit were held to a 1-1 draw against Chicago Stars FC in front of over 16,600 fans at Audi Field during their annual Pride match. Sofia Cantore put the Spirit ahead in the 57th minute with her second league goal, but Chicago’s Ludmila capitalized on a turnover just 10 minutes later to equalize. Washington dominated possession and created multiple late chances, with Cantore and Paige Metayer coming close, but Alyssa Naeher and the Stars’ defense held firm. Despite the result, the Spirit remain second in the NWSL table as they prepare for Concacaf W Champions Cup play midweek before hosting Seattle Reign in league action next weekend.

Angel City vs
Bay FC (2-1)

Angel City picked up its second straight win with a 2-1 victory over Bay FC, powered by rookie Riley Tiernan’s dazzling early goal and a 77th-minute header from Maiara Niehues. Tiernan’s eighth goal of the season moved her into second place all-time for NWSL rookies, while Rachel Hill briefly leveled the match for Bay before Niehues sealed it from a corner. Bay’s struggles continued with a seventh straight match without a win, while Angel City gained momentum after snapping a long winless streak. Off the field, transfer speculation surrounded Angel City’s Alyssa Thompson, linked to Chelsea, and Bay’s Asisat Oshoala, rumored for a move to Al Hilal.

KC Current vs
NC Courage (2-0)

The Kansas City Current clinched their third playoff berth and became the first team to secure a 2025 postseason spot with a 2-0 win over North Carolina Courage at CPKC Stadium. Izzy Rodriguez opened the scoring with a long-range strike in the 31st minute before Lo’eau LaBonta doubled the lead from the penalty spot 10 minutes later. Goalkeeper Lorena secured her 10th clean sheet, tying the league record for the fastest to reach double digits, as Kansas City extended its shutout streak to six straight matches (the longest in NWSL history). The victory preserved the Current’s unbeaten home record, pushed their points total to an NWSL-best 46 through 18 games, and highlighted their dominant form with 15 wins, six consecutive clean sheets, and 11 straight unbeaten matches.

Where NWSL Stands

KC Current are running away at the top with 46 points, while Washington Spirit, San Diego Wave, and Orlando Pride chase behind. The middle of the table is crowded, with Seattle, Portland, Racing Louisville, and Gotham all fighting for playoff spots. Angel City, North Carolina, and Houston are hanging on, while Bay FC, Chicago Stars, and Utah Royals sit well off the pace at the bottom.

Orlando Pride Smash Transfer
Record for Ovalle

Orlando Pride have shaken up the women’s football landscape by signing Mexican star Lizbeth Ovalle from Tigres Femenil for a world-record transfer fee of $1.5 million. Ovalle is a proven game-changer: Tigres’ all-time top scorer with 136 goals and 103 assists in 294 matches, she brings both attacking firepower and big-game experience to the reigning NWSL champions (and yes, she’s the one that scored that inverted scorpion kick earlier this year. The deal runs through 2027 with an option for 2028, signaling the Pride’s intent to stay at the top of the league.

For the NWSL, this is more than just a blockbuster move. It’s a statement that the league can compete financially with Europe’s best. Ovalle’s arrival elevates Orlando’s attack, boosts the league’s international profile, and puts pressure on rivals to keep pace. It’s the kind of headline that underlines how fast women’s soccer is growing, and why the NWSL is increasingly becoming the destination for global stars.

Arrest Made in Online Abuse
of Jess Carter

England defender Jess Carter has been at the center of one of the ugliest stories of Euro 2025: the wave of online racist abuse she faced during the tournament. This week, Lancashire police arrested a 59-year-old man in connection with those messages. The suspect has since been released under investigation, but the arrest underscores how seriously authorities are beginning to treat online hate in sport.

Carter, who stepped away from social media during the Euros, has received public support from her teammates, UEFA, the UK Prime Minister, and even NWSL clubs. The abuse sparked wider conversations about how women’s players, especially Black women, are targeted online, and why stronger protections are overdue. Carter’s resilience on the pitch contrasted sharply with the off-field toxicity she faced. See a recap of the arrest here.

From Pitch to Partnership
e.l.f. Expands NWSL Alliance

e.l.f. Beauty is doubling down on its investment in women’s sports, expanding its partnership with the NWSL through 2027 while signing four standout players—Melanie Barcenas, Abby Dahlkemper, Lo’eau LaBonta, and Jaedyn Shaw. Each athlete embodies a story of resilience and individuality that aligns with e.l.f.’s mission to celebrate confidence, inclusivity, and authenticity. From Barcenas balancing high school with professional soccer to Dahlkemper’s comeback from injury, LaBonta’s rise from being waived to team captain, and Shaw’s emergence as a multi-dimensional star, the brand is amplifying voices that inspire the next generation both on and off the field.

The expanded partnership builds on e.l.f.’s role as the NWSL’s first official makeup and skincare partner of the Challenge Cup. Through editorial content, public appearances, and fan-first activations like “Pups at the Pitch,” e.l.f. continues to push boundaries and connect beauty with sport in meaningful ways. Beyond soccer, the brand has also backed trailblazers in other arenas from tennis to Paralympic swimming, cementing its reputation as a disruptor committed to creating access and opportunity for women and girls across athletics.

Big thanks to our sponsor this week. They’re helping us keep the women’s game in the spotlight and keep your inbox full of fresh soccer stories every week.

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