🎉 Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip! ⚽️

The Women’s FA Cup brought plenty of excitement this week! Aston Villa pulled off a comeback win over Brighton (3-2), while Man United dominated Wolves (6-0). Sunderland also advanced with a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth. If you're curious about the FA Cup’s significance in the women’s game, we’ve got a full breakdown for you.

Off the field, major news is shaping the future of women’s soccer. The NWSL has reached a historic $5 million settlement to support abuse victims, while Portland is investing $150 million in a state-of-the-art training facility for the Thorns and its new WNBA team.

And due to popular demand, we have decided to extend our internship deadline to 2/17. If you’re passionate about growing the women’s game, this is your chance to get involved. Apply now before it’s too late!

What's in store this week:

• Women’s FA: What is the FA Cup?

• Women’s FA: Aston Villa vs Brighton (3-2)

• Women’s FA: Wolves vs Man United (0-6)

• Women’s FA: Where We Stand

• News: NWSL to Pay $5M Restitution to Abuse Victims in Historic Settlement

• News: Portland’s Teams Come Together to Create $150 Million Facility

• GG: Internship Deadline Extended! (App now closes 02/17)

What is the FA Cup?

The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is the oldest national football competition in the world, having commenced in the 1871–72 season. Organized by the Football Association (FA), it is an annual knockout tournament open to all eligible clubs down to level 9 of the English football league system, with level 10 clubs acting as stand-ins in the event of non-entries from above. The competition consists of 12 randomly drawn rounds followed by the semi-finals and the final. Higher-ranked teams receive byes to later rounds, ensuring they enter the competition at a more advanced stage. The FA Cup is renowned for its "giant-killing" moments, where lower-tier teams achieve unexpected victories over top-tier clubs, adding to its rich history and allure.

The Women's FA Cup Final has evolved into a marquee event in English women's football, showcasing the sport's growth and increasing popularity. As of 2024, Arsenal holds the record for the most Women's FA Cup titles, with a total of 14, their most recent victory being in 2016. Chelsea follows with five titles, having secured consecutive wins from 2021 to 2023. The 2024 final marked a historic moment for Manchester United, as they clinched their first Women's FA Cup by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 at Wembley Stadium. This match attracted a crowd of 76,082 spectators, underscoring the competition's growing prominence and the increasing support for women's football in England.

Aston Villa vs
Brighton (3-2)

Aston Villa staged an impressive comeback to secure a spot in the FA Cup quarterfinals, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2. Despite a dominant first half, the Villans found themselves trailing in the 45th minute when Nikita Parris capitalized on a defensive error to put Brighton ahead. However, Anna Patten responded almost immediately, leveling the score just before halftime. The momentum shifted decisively in Villa’s favor after the break, as captain Rachel Daly headed home in the 50th minute to give her team the lead. Five minutes later, she turned provider, assisting Chasity Grant, whose strike put Villa in firm control.

Parris reignited Brighton’s hopes in the 72nd minute with her second goal of the match, but Aston Villa held on to their advantage to seal the win. Daly’s commanding performance, contributing both a goal and an assist, earned her the Player of the Match honors. With this victory, Villa continues their cup run, while Brighton exits the competition after a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful effort.

Wolves vs
Man United (1-0)

Man United cruised into the FA Cup quarterfinals with a dominant 6-0 victory over Wolves, despite a record crowd of over 5,000 at New Bucks Head Stadium. Wolves put up a brave fight early on, with goalkeeper Bec Roberts making crucial saves to deny Grace Clinton and Melvine Malard. However, United broke through in the 25th minute when Malard set up Elisabeth Terland for the opening goal. Leah Galton doubled the lead before halftime with a deflected shot sneaking in at the near post.

The floodgates opened in the second half as Aoife Mannion prodded home from close range before Ella Toone fired in a stunning strike off the post to make it 4-0. Clinton came close to adding another, while Millie Turner had a goal disallowed for offside. Late in the match, debutant Mared Griffiths capitalized on a spilled header to score United’s fifth, before adding her second in stoppage time. Despite Wolves’ resilient effort, United’s clinical finishing secured their spot in the quarterfinals, with the draw set to take place on February 11.

FA Cup: Where We Stand

The results from the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fixtures on February 8-9, 2025, saw several teams advance to the quarterfinals.

On Saturday, Aston Villa edged Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 in a thrilling match, while Manchester United dominated Wolverhampton Wanderers with a resounding 6-0 victory.

Sunday’s fixtures featured comfortable wins for several top teams. Chelsea triumphed 4-1 over Everton, Manchester City defeated Leicester City 3-1, and Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory against London City Lionesses. Liverpool, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace also advanced with wins over Rugby Borough, Portsmouth, and Newcastle United, respectively.

NWSL to Pay $5M Restitution to Abuse Victims in Historic Settlement

The National Women’s Soccer League has reached a historic $5 million settlement after an investigation found systemic abuse and misconduct throughout the league. The settlement, announced by attorneys general from New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., will establish a restitution fund for victims of abuse or harassment by those in positions of power. The league must also implement a series of reforms, including hiring mental health professionals for each team, ensuring independent investigations into misconduct, and strengthening vetting processes for coaches and executives. NWSL leadership will be required to report progress on these reforms every six months for the next three years, with financial penalties of up to $2 million for noncompliance.

This settlement is a direct response to years of widespread misconduct within the league, which came to light during the 2021 season through multiple reports detailing sexual coercion, verbal abuse, racism, and other forms of harassment at several clubs. In response, several clubs changed ownership, and multiple coaches and executives were dismissed or banned from the league. The agreement also grants the NWSL Players Association a say in the hiring of key personnel, reinforcing the commitment to player safety. While the league has made progress, external oversight from government authorities signals a significant shift toward accountability and long-term structural change in women’s soccer.

The NWSL settlement marks a pivotal moment not just for the league but for women's sports as a whole. With past reforms proving inconsistent, the presence of legal enforcement mechanisms ensures that player protections will be upheld. This move aligns with broader efforts in women's soccer, including the USWNT’s equal pay settlement and increased investment in professional women’s teams. The settlement sets a precedent for how professional sports leagues should address misconduct and prioritize athlete well-being, reinforcing the message that abuse and harassment will no longer be tolerated.

You can read more about the settlement here.

Portland’s Teams to Create
$150 Million Facility

Portland is set to become a hub for women’s professional sports with the construction of a $150 million dual-sport training facility for the NWSL’s Portland Thorns and the city’s upcoming WNBA expansion team. Spearheaded by RAJ Sports principals Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, the privately financed facility will be the first in the nation to house teams from both leagues. The 12-acre complex, designed by stadium architecture firm Populous, will be located in Hillsboro, Oregon, on a former Nike office site. It will include state-of-the-art amenities such as a 17,000-square-foot gym, two full-sized basketball courts, two soccer pitches, a hydrotherapy zone, and dedicated recovery spaces, all designed with female athletes in mind.

This ambitious project reflects Portland’s long-standing commitment to women’s sports, with the Thorns consistently drawing some of the highest attendances in the NWSL. Former Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc, now RAJ Sports' EVP of Strategic Growth, emphasized the importance of creating a facility tailored specifically for women, ensuring they feel valued and supported. The facility will provide players with top-tier resources, including a full-time chef, a nutritionist, and family spaces. The development follows a broader trend of WNBA teams investing in dedicated training facilities, with franchises in Las Vegas, Seattle, and Phoenix already setting the standard. With Portland’s new WNBA team set to debut in 2026, this cutting-edge facility will further cement the city's role as a leader in advancing women’s professional sports.

Last Week to Apply:
Join the Goalside Gossip Team!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our first-ever internship program! 🎉 If you’re passionate about women’s soccer, love storytelling, and want a hands-on way to celebrate the beautiful game, this is your chance.

We’re still looking for individuals in these cities to represent Goalside Gossip:

• New York/New Jersey (Gotham FC)

• San Diego, CA (San Diego Wave)

• San Francisco/San Jose (Bay FC)

• Seattle Area (Seattle Reign)

As an intern, you’ll attend NWSL matches as a media representative, create engaging content, and connect with fans, players, and the women’s soccer community. It’s more than an internship—it’s a chance to be part of the movement pushing women’s soccer forward.

Head over to our internship page for more information about the program and details on how to apply. After popular demand, we have extended the applications deadline to February 17th, so don’t miss out!