Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

This week marks two full years of writing this newsletter—104 straight weeks of soccer recaps, hot takes, and the occasional meme-worthy moment. We haven’t missed a single issue, and honestly, it’s because of you. Whether you’ve been reading since day one or just joined the party: thank you. Your support, your shares, your emails and DMs—they mean the world to us. 💙⚽

We’re so proud of how far Goalside Gossip has come—and even more excited about what’s next. And hey, if you ever want to chat, react, or just say hi, reach out anytime at [email protected] or on Instagram. We reply to every single message (promise).

Now, onto the soccer...

While the WSL took a breather, the rest of the soccer world hit the gas. Chelsea booked a date at Wembley in dramatic FA Cup fashion (because of course they did). Back stateside, Angel City delivered their most complete performance yet, Gotham threw a block party in Jersey, and Portland finally figured out how to win on the road.

Not to be outdone, KC flipped the script in San Diego, where the Wave couldn’t turn their high possession into points. And off the pitch? Denver’s stadium dreams are stirring up city hall, immigration issues continue to sideline stars, and ESPN just picked up a shiny new addition to its women’s soccer portfolio. Let’s get into it. 🔥

— Stavan & Roei

What's in store this week:

• ⚽ NWSL: Houston Dash vs Angel City (1–3)

• 🏙️ NWSL: Gotham FC vs NC Courage (3–1)

• 🌧️ NWSL: Racing Louisville vs Washington Spirit (0–2)

• 🏔️ NWSL: Utah Royals vs Portland Thorns (0–1)

• 🌊 NWSL: San Diego Wave vs KC Current (0–2)

• 🏆 FA Cup: Chelsea vs Liverpool (2–1)

• 🏟️ News: Denver’s Stadium Dreams Divide the City

• 🛂 News: Immigration Fears Sideline Global Talent

• 📺 News: ESPN Bets Big on Canadian Soccer

Houston Dash vs
Angel City (1-3)

Angel City FC put on their most complete performance of the season, earning a convincing 3-1 road win over the Houston Dash. With standout goals from Macey Hodge and Riley Tiernan—both from outside the box—LA's youth movement took center stage early. Despite Houston controlling 70% of possession in the first half, it was Angel City who created the better chances and capitalized, heading into the break with a two-goal lead. The Dash responded with a Bárbara Olivieri tap-in off a slick counterattack, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed late in the match. In the 86th minute, Alyssa Thompson sealed the deal with a blistering run and finish that left the defense in the dust.

Gotham FC vs
NC Courage (3-1)

Gotham FC finally broke into the win column with a 3-1 victory over the NC Courage, thanks to a first-half brace from Esther González and a second-half header from rookie Lilly Reale—her first pro goal. The win was Gotham’s most dominant performance of the season so far, controlling nearly every stat category, including shots (21-9) and expected goals (2.32–0.44). The match also marked a pair of long-awaited returns, with stars Geyse and Midge Purce making their 2025 season debuts, the latter stepping onto the pitch for the first time since her ACL tear over a year ago [listen to what she had to say about it here]. Coach Juan Carlos Amorós praised the team’s focus on doing things “the right way,” and it showed. Gotham looked sharp, confident, and dangerous, with Ella Stevens and Bruninha adding assists and Ann-Katrin Berger moving up the club’s all-time wins list.

Racing Louisville vs
Washington Spirit (0-2)

Racing Louisville suffered their first home loss of the season in front of a season-high crowd, falling 2-0 to the Washington Spirit on Saturday. Despite showing some late attacking fire and outshooting their opponent, Racing couldn’t recover from two second-half goals—one a stunning free kick by Leicy Santos in the 56th minute, the other a smart header from Ashley Hatch, who continues her red-hot start to the season. It was a tough pill to swallow after a week of off-pitch challenges, including historic flooding that displaced players and disrupted training.

The loss didn’t dampen the spirit of the home crowd, nor Racing’s fight. Forward Uchenna Kanu made her long-awaited return from injury, and the squad showed flashes of intensity late in the match. But head coach Bev Yanez admitted the emotional and logistical hurdles leading up to the game made preparation difficult. As the team regroups, they'll aim to bounce back next weekend at home against San Diego—with a little help from an Easter egg hunt at halftime.

Utah Royals vs
Portland Thorns (0-1)

The Portland Thorns earned their first win of the 2025 season with a gritty 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals, snapping a 10-game road winless streak and picking up their second straight clean sheet. Reilyn Turner’s 14th-minute goal—set up by slick work from Hina Sugita and Deyna Castellanos—proved to be the difference, as Portland controlled much of the first half and held strong through a nervy second. The win also marked the Thorns’ first-ever victory in Utah, finally breaking through after seven unsuccessful trips.

The night was extra special for goalkeeper Bella Bixby, who returned to the starting lineup for the first time in 17 months after giving birth to her daughter last summer. Bixby was steady and composed, making one key stop and drawing strength from having her family—and baby Ruby—watching from the stands. With only one training session post-international break, coach Rob Gale praised his squad’s resilience, calling the win a proud moment in what’s been a challenging early season.

SD Wave vs
KC Current (0-2)

SD Wave fell short during their home match up with a 2–0 loss to KC Current. Despite San Diego dominating possession with 63% and earning six corners to KC’s one, the Wave couldn’t convert their control into goals. “It’s not a shame losing to a great team—but it’s a shame feeling like we only really tried in one half,” Eidevall expressed during the Wave's post-match conference. Kansas City, on the other hand, made the most of their chances with a sharp attacking start—Debinha opened the scoring in the 16th minute, followed by a penalty shot from Lo’eau LaBonta in the 25th after a handball.

The Current held a strong defense and were quick and efficient in transition, with all four of their shots on target causing problems for Wave FC's backline. Eidevall credited a second-half energy shift to strong performances from the bench and praised young players like Trinity Armstrong (17 yrs old), who made her first career start: “She’s a very athletic player… a start like this is really valuable for her.” With back-to-back road games ahead, Jonas and the Wave's focus now shifts to turning those positive flashes into consistent 90-minute efforts.

Shoutout to one of our Matchday Media Interns, Ruby, for this post-match breakdown!

Chelsea vs
Liverpool (2-1)

Chelsea’s quadruple hunt is still on after a late win over Liverpool in the FA Cup Semi-Final. Although Chelsea dominated the opening stages of the match, Marie Höbinger leveled an incisive pass to Olivia Smith, who opened the scoring for the visitors in the 21st minute. The Blues looked to enter halftime one down until a touch from Erin Cuthbert leveled the tie. Chelsea came out the blocks in the second half, forcing multiple saves from Rachael Laws. Captain Taylor Hinds looked to send Liverpool to their first FA Cup final since 1996 in the 89th minute, but hit the crossbar. Ultimately, it was Aggie Beever-Jones who sent her childhood club to Wembley with a thumping header in injury time. Check out Nathalie Björn and Sonia Bompastor’s thoughts on the match here.

Shoutout to one of our Matchday Media Interns, Diana, for this post-match breakdown!

Mix of Excitement &
Skepticism in Denver

Excitement is brewing in Denver over the city’s new NWSL team, with plans for a temporary stadium in Centennial and a permanent home in the Baker neighborhood. The city is considering a $70 million investment, with $50 million earmarked for land acquisition and $20 million for infrastructure improvements like sidewalks, trails, and lighting. While local leaders and residents see the stadium as a much-needed investment in southwest Denver, some are raising eyebrows at the price tag.

During a South Platte River Committee meeting, City Council members and residents questioned whether now is the right time for such a big spend. Concerns ranged from affordability in a shaky economy to whether the stadium will even get built. Council member Sarah Parady voiced strong skepticism, warning the city might pour scarce funds into a dream that won’t materialize—especially when those dollars are needed for housing, food insecurity, and social services.

Still, Council member Flor Alvidrez, who represents the stadium's proposed site, remains optimistic. She emphasized that the funds come from leftover bond money and believes this is a smart, forward-looking investment in her district’s growth. For now, the plan is still under review, with a committee vote expected in the coming weeks.

Castellanos the Most Recent Star to Stay Put Amid Immigration Uncertainty

Portland Thorns forward Deyna Castellanos opted out of Venezuela’s recent international matches over fears she might not be allowed back into the U.S. due to shifting immigration and travel policies under the Trump administration. She called the uncertainty “very scary,” especially for international players across the NWSL who rely on P-1 visas to compete. Castellanos’ absence comes amid a wave of similar decisions, with Zambia choosing not to call up four U.S. based NWSL stars for matches in China, also citing new travel measures. The NWSL acknowledged the growing challenges and emphasized the need for collaboration between leagues, clubs, and governments to protect players' rights and careers.

Castellanos said she was disappointed to miss the matches but felt staying stateside was the safest move. Beyond travel concerns, the current political climate has raised broader anxieties in the league—particularly around policies targeting marginalized communities. Canadian midfielder Quinn, the first out trans and nonbinary gold medalist who recently joined the new Northern Super League, admitted the U.S. climate influenced their decision to leave the NWSL. As geopolitical tensions continue to affect athletes’ mobility and safety, the league finds itself navigating an increasingly complex international landscape.

NSL Earns ESPN Deal

ESPN is expanding its women’s soccer portfolio with a multi-year deal to broadcast Canada’s brand-new Northern Super League (NSL) in the U.S. Kicking off April 16 with Vancouver Rise vs. Calgary Wild, the six-team league will see 40 games—plus select playoffs and the final—streamed live on ESPN+. It’s a big win for the NSL, which has secured a major media partner in one of the most mature women’s soccer markets globally.

The NSL, co-founded by former Canadian international Diana Matheson, aims to elevate the sport across North America. With domestic broadcast partners like TSN, CBC, and corporate backing from brands like Air Canada and DoorDash, the league is already making waves before its first whistle. ESPN’s Sonia Gomez Baker called the league a “marquee” addition to ESPN’s growing women’s soccer slate, which already includes the NWSL and England’s WSL.