Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

What a week in the NWSL: one that delivered statement wins, history-making performances, and major off-field headlines. Orlando edged San Diego on the road, Kansas City flexed its dominance with a four-goal showing against Chicago, and Washington thrashed Houston behind Gift Monday’s record-setting hat trick. Seattle pulled off a late upset over North Carolina, while Utah spoiled Bay FC’s home stand with a two-goal victory. Off the pitch, the league unveiled plans for a new December combine to replace the draft, Bay FC announced the departure of CEO Brady Stewart, and Monday’s lightning-fast triple strike etched her name into the record books.

Here’s what’s in store this week:

• NWSL: SD Wave vs Orlando Pride (1-2)

• NWSL: KC Current vs Chicago Stars (4-1)

• NWSL: Washington Spirit vs Houston Dash (4-0)

• NWSL: Seattle Reign vs NC Courage (2-1)

• NWSL: Bay FC vs Utah Royals (0-2)

• News: Gift Monday Scored Fastest Hat Trick in NWSL History

• News: NWSL Introduces New Combine in December

• News: Bay FC and CEO Brady Stewart Part Ways

SD Wave vs
Orlando Pride (1-2)

San Diego Wave FC fell 2-1 to defending champions Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium despite outshooting their opponents 16-9 and generating multiple late chances. Orlando struck first in the eighth minute through Jacqueline Ovalle, but Brazilian forward Dudinha quickly equalized two minutes later with her first career NWSL goal after capitalizing on a goalkeeper error. The Pride regained the lead early in the second half when Oihane Hernández set up Carson Pickett for a composed finish. San Diego pressed hard in the final 30 minutes, with Kimmi Ascanio and Kyra Carusa both coming close, but Anna Moorhouse’s key saves preserved the result and handed Orlando a crucial road win.

KC Current vs
Chicago Stars (4-1)

Kansas City Current rolled to a 4-1 win over Chicago Stars FC, matching the NWSL record for most regular-season victories (18) and setting a new club points record (56). Debinha opened the scoring in the seventh minute, Bia Zaneratto added another early in the second half, and after Chicago briefly cut the deficit, Temwa Chawinga restored the cushion with her league-leading 14th goal. Lo’eau LaBonta converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal the result, tying Megan Rapinoe’s all-time record for most penalty kicks scored. The win extended Kansas City’s unbeaten streak to 15 matches and kept them perfect at home as they continue to dominate atop the league table.

Washington Spirit vs
Houston Dash (4-0)

Gift Monday delivered a historic first-half hat trick (the fastest from kickoff in NWSL history and the first ever at Audi Field) to lead the Washington Spirit to a 4-0 victory over the Houston Dash and secure a playoff berth. The Nigerian forward struck in the 18th, 21st, and 36th minutes with help from Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune before Sofia Cantore added a late backheel finish. Aubrey Kingsbury notched her 45th career regular-season shutout as the Spirit outshot Houston 16-8, locking up their eighth clean sheet of the season and their second straight postseason appearance.

Seattle Reign vs
NC Courage (2-1)

Seattle Reign FC rallied from a goal down to beat the North Carolina Courage 2-1 at Lumen Field, strengthening their playoff push in front of 8,563 fans. After Hannah Betfort’s header put the visitors ahead in the second half, Seattle equalized in the 71st minute when Jordyn Huitema tapped in from close range off Emeri Adames’ cross. Just nine minutes later, Maddie Dahlien completed the comeback with a composed finish cutting inside from the wing, securing all three points. With the win, the Reign jumped into fourth place in the NWSL standings, just one point behind Gotham FC, setting up a pivotal road clash with them on October 5.

Bay FC vs
Utah Royals (0-2)

Bay FC’s two-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-0 home defeat to the Utah Royals at PayPal Park. Utah struck twice in the first half, with Janni Thomsen finishing at the far post in the 9th minute before Aisha Solorzano capitalized on a blocked clearance in the 18th. Despite Bay FC’s early pressure and the return of Penelope Hocking from injury, the hosts couldn’t find a breakthrough. Strong defensive work kept Utah from adding to their tally after the break, but Bay FC’s attack was repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Mia Justus as the Royals secured all three points.

Where We Stand So Far

Gift Monday Etches Her
Name in NWSL History

Washington Spirit forward Gift Monday etched her name into NWSL history on Sunday by scoring the fastest hat trick from the start of a match, leading her team to a commanding 4-0 win over the Houston Dash and clinching a playoff berth. The Nigerian striker, just 23 years old, netted all three goals within the first 36 minutes, with assists from U.S. internationals Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune. Her celebrations — from her trademark bow-and-arrow to lively dance steps — highlighted her joy and self-expression on a milestone night. Monday’s feat marked the first Spirit hat trick since Crystal Dunn’s in 2015, further underlining its significance. The win extended Washington’s unbeaten streak to 10 matches, their longest in club history, and showcased the depth of their attacking options heading into the postseason.

For Monday, who joined the Spirit earlier this year from Spain’s UD Granadilla Tenerife, the performance capped off an impressive debut season. She now has eight goals in 19 appearances, placing her in the Golden Boot race alongside stars like Orlando’s Barbra Banda. Manager Adrián González credited Monday’s humility and work ethic for earning her first start in over a month, noting that increased competition with new signing Sophia Cantore has elevated the squad’s intensity. Listen to his full press conference here. Beyond her scoring prowess, Monday’s resilience and personal symbolism shone through — each arrow celebration, she said, is a reminder of her journey from doubted beginnings to the spotlight.

NWSL Replaces Draft
With New Player Combine

The NWSL is set to replace its traditional draft system with player combines, launching two showcase events in December that will serve as scouting opportunities for league clubs. The adult combine will feature players ages 18 to 23, including college athletes, while the youth combine will spotlight prospects between 13 and 17. These invite-only events aim to broaden access to professional opportunities and mirror global soccer’s open-market structure. Players who attend without signing an agent or contract will retain NCAA eligibility. According to the new NWSL youth development director Karla Thompson, the initiative is designed to expand visibility for players from diverse pathways and strengthen the league’s pipeline of talent.

This shift follows sweeping reforms under the 2024 collective bargaining agreement, which granted players free agency and abolished all forms of drafts in the league. By organizing combines, the NWSL provides a structured environment for clubs to evaluate talent while giving players exposure to professional standards. The adult showcase is particularly intended for athletes whose careers have followed non-linear paths, while the youth combine introduces potential future professionals to competitive testing, matches, and educational programming. The move also reflects the league’s gradual lowering of age restrictions, which has already enabled signings as young as 13. Together, the combines signal a more global and flexible approach to player development and recruitment in U.S. women’s soccer.

Bay FC, CEO Stewart Part Ways
As Turnovers Continue in NWSL

Bay FC announced the departure of president and CEO Brady Stewart, the club’s first employee and inaugural leader, as the franchise prepares for what it calls a “new phase of growth.” Stewart, who previously spent 14 years at Levi Strauss before joining Bay FC, helped establish the team’s brand and oversee its launch into the NWSL. The club did not specify the reasons behind her exit but confirmed that Russell Wolff, a former ESPN executive and current Sixth Street managing director, will serve as interim president while a search begins for a permanent CEO. Sixth Street, Bay FC’s ownership group, has gradually inserted more of its executives into the team’s operations as it invests heavily in the club’s infrastructure, including a new practice facility on Treasure Island.

Stewart’s departure adds to a string of leadership changes since Bay FC’s debut season. General manager Lucy Rushton stepped down in year one, head coach Albertin Montoya plans to leave at season’s end after being cleared of misconduct allegations, and chief operating officer Jen Millet departed earlier this year to lead expansion side Denver Summit FC. Striker Asisat Oshoala also left midseason for Saudi Arabia, furthering a sense of instability. Despite Sixth Street’s record $53 million expansion fee and more than $70 million in additional commitments, the team has struggled on the field, currently sitting 12th in the standings with a 4-10-7 record. With Wolff and Kay Cossington, who will oversee soccer operations, now steering the organization, Bay FC faces a pivotal transition as it tries to stabilize leadership and chart its long-term vision.