Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

Welcome back, and yes, we’re still catching our breath after one of the most dramatic weekends of women’s soccer this year. The NWSL semifinals delivered pure theater: Gotham FC stunned the defending champion Orlando Pride with yet another stoppage-time winner (because of course they did), while the Washington Spirit took care of business at home, cruising past the Portland Thorns 2-0 to punch their ticket to a second straight final. That means we’re heading for an East Coast showdown in San Jose: Spirit vs. Gotham, winner takes all.

Across the pond, it was dominance and drama of a different kind. Barcelona absolutely dismantled Real Madrid 4-0 in another one-sided Clásico, while newly promoted London City Lionesses continued their fairytale start to life in the WSL, beating Aston Villa 3-1 behind a Saki Kumagai masterclass.

Off the pitch, the stories keep coming. Marta’s future hangs in the balance after Orlando’s title defense came to an emotional end, our Media Rep Brian breaks down what to expect on Championship Saturday, and Trinity Rodman’s next move is still the league’s biggest “will she or won’t she?”

Stay tuned, the postseason chaos is far from over.

• NWSL Semifinals:

  • Orlando Pride vs Gotham FC (0-1)

  • Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns (2-0)

• Around the World

  • FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid (4-0)

  • Aston Villa vs London City Lionesses (1-3)

• News:

  • What’s Next for Marta?

  • Championship Saturday Outlook (Written by Our Intern Brian)

  • Trin’s Future Still Remains Up in the Air

Orlando Pride vs
Gotham FC (0-1)

Gotham FC’s fairytale playoff run continued in spectacular fashion as the “Cardiac Kids” struck again, defeating the defending champion Orlando Pride 1-0 with a jaw-dropping free kick from Jaedyn Shaw in the seventh minute of stoppage time. The dramatic win sends Gotham to its second NWSL Championship in three years—and makes them the first No. 8 seed ever to reach the final. In a tense semifinal that saw few chances for either side, Shaw’s curling delivery in the dying seconds slipped past a crowded box and into the net, stunning the 15,000 fans in Orlando and sealing Gotham’s fourth straight road playoff win.

Shaw, who joined Gotham in September, has now been directly involved in all three of the team’s postseason goals and continues to cement her reputation as one of the league’s brightest young stars. Gotham’s relentless resilience—the same “never-give-up DNA” praised by head coach Juan Carlos Amorós—once again carried them through, backed by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger’s clutch saves to preserve the clean sheet. The win sets up a blockbuster NWSL Championship clash against the Washington Spirit in San Jose, as Gotham looks to complete its Cinderella run with a second league title in three seasons.

Washington Spirit vs
Portland Thorns (2-0)

The Washington Spirit are heading back to the NWSL Championship after a commanding 2-0 win over the Portland Thorns in front of a sellout crowd of 19,365 at Audi Field. The Spirit controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, and after an early goal was ruled offside, they broke through in the 27th minute when Rosemonde Kouassi sprinted the length of the field to set up Gift Monday for the opener. It was the sixth time this season that Kouassi has assisted a Monday goal, showcasing one of the league’s most dangerous duos.

Portland pushed for a response in the second half, but Washington’s defense — anchored by goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury — held firm. In the 83rd minute, Croix Bethune sealed the result with a composed solo finish after rounding the keeper, sending the Spirit to their fourth NWSL Championship appearance and second straight final.

FC Barcelona vs
Real Madrid (4-0)

FC Barcelona reaffirmed their dominance in Spanish women’s football with a commanding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first Clásico of the Liga F season at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Ewa Pajor, returning from injury, stole the show with two first-half goals, while late strikes from Sydney and Aitana Bonmatí sealed the emphatic win. Goalkeeper Cata Coll added to the highlights with a crucial penalty save to deny Caroline Weir, keeping Barça’s clean sheet intact and sending the Montjuïc crowd into celebration.

The match began at a blistering pace, with both teams hitting the post early and several offside goals disallowed before Pajor finally broke through in the 15th minute. From there, Barcelona took full control, showcasing the fluid attacking play and relentless pressure that have defined their era of dominance. The result not only extended Barça’s unbeaten run in the Clásico but also widened their lead at the top of the Liga F table to seven points.

Aston Villa vs
London City Lionesses (1-3)

Saki Kumagai powered London City Lionesses to a 3-1 win over Aston Villa, heading home twice from Kosovare Asllani corners to secure the club’s second away victory of the Women’s Super League season. Despite a goalkeeping blunder that gifted Villa an equalizer through Kirsty Hanson, London City responded clinically. Isobel Goodwin restored the lead early in the second half before Kumagai’s second header sealed all three points. The result lifts London City to sixth in the table on 15 points, while Villa’s struggles at home continue, remaining winless in four league matches at Villa Park.

Asllani was the creative heartbeat for London City, dictating play and creating seven chances while Villa’s defensive lapses undid their attacking efforts. Jocelyn Prêcheur’s side made the most of limited opportunities, posting an xG of 2.02 from just nine shots compared to Villa’s 22. For first year Villa manager Natalia Arroyo, the loss was a step backward after last week’s defensive discipline against Manchester United, with familiar problems resurfacing from last season’s leaky back line.

What’s Next for Marta

Orlando Pride’s title defense came to a heartbreaking end as a stoppage-time free kick from Gotham FC’s Jaedyn Shaw sealed a 1-0 semifinal loss and left Marta, once again, carrying the team’s hopes on her shoulders. Playing as a makeshift striker in the absence of injured star Barbra Banda, the 39-year-old Brazilian legend was Orlando’s standout performer, creating their best chances and leading with relentless passion. After the match, an emotional Marta reflected on the team’s resilience through an inconsistent season and spoke about the pride she takes in the club’s collective spirit, saying, “This star is made by everybody.” While she stopped short of confirming her plans for next year, her message was clear: the fire to compete still burns.

Head coach Seb Hines praised the Pride’s evolution into a more balanced, possession-oriented team, noting that consistency, not talent, was their missing piece. The return of Banda next season should restore their attacking edge, and with players like Jacquie Ovalle, Emily Sams, and Julie Doyle finding form, Orlando remains a legitimate contender heading into 2026. The offseason will bring the usual roster turnover, but the Pride’s foundation is strong, a resilient core anchored by veterans and rising stars alike.

For Marta, the question now shifts from “if” to “when.” She’ll turn 40 before next season begins, but her performances continue to defy time and expectation. As she said after the match, still visibly emotional: “I’m not here to waste my time. I still care so much.”

Championship Saturday Outlook:
Written by Our Intern Brian

Championship Saturday is finally here and the matchup feels almost scripted. Washington enters hungry for redemption after last year’s heartbreak. Gotham arrives as the eight seed that refused to die, pulling off back to back shockers to reach San Jose. It is power against resilience, depth against destiny, and two clubs chasing a second star. This final has everything you could want in an NWSL title game.

Read the full breakdown here.

Trin’s Future Still Remains
Remains a Mystery

Trinity Rodman’s future in the NWSL has reached a critical point, with her reps now in direct talks with commissioner Jessica Berman as interest from top English Women’s Super League clubs intensifies. The 23-year-old U.S. star will be a free agent this offseason, and while the Washington Spirit are eager to keep her, the league’s salary cap has complicated negotiations. European clubs, unrestricted by such limits, can offer far more lucrative deals, putting pressure on the NWSL to find creative ways to retain one of its brightest stars. “The league is doing everything we can to keep Trinity in the NWSL,” a spokesperson said, acknowledging both her importance on the field and her value as one of the league’s most marketable players.

Rodman, who became the NWSL’s highest-paid player at age 19 with a $1.1 million contract, has long expressed interest in eventually playing overseas. Her current team owner, Michele Kang (who also owns European clubs OL Lyon and London City Lionesses) has publicly stated that keeping Rodman is a top priority, but she also embraces a global approach to player development. Meanwhile, English giants Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City are reportedly among the teams exploring offers, following a wave of high-profile U.S. transfers abroad this year.

Despite dealing with back and knee injuries for much of 2025, Rodman remains a cornerstone for both the Spirit and U.S. Women’s National Team. A key contributor to the USWNT’s 2024 Olympic gold medal run, she has 11 goals in 47 senior appearances and continues to be one of the NWSL’s most marketable athletes, even starring in Adidas’s global campaign for the 2026 men’s World Cup. For now, her focus remains on the NWSL Championship with Washington, but as Rodman herself said after the semifinal win over Portland: “Once we get this championship, then I can start making decisions and figuring out what next year looks like for me.”