Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

In the NWSL, Ashley Hatch couldn’t stop scoring, Marta reminded us she’s still ice-cold under pressure, and Mackenzie Arnold straight-up said “nope” to North Carolina’s best chance. Meanwhile, over in the WSL, Chelsea blew a two-goal lead (bold move), Kerstin Casparij scored her first-ever league goal, and Brighton’s home streak finally cracked. And if you’re still recovering from “BOS Nation FC,” don’t worry—Boston’s new name is finally here, and it’s not wildly cringe. Let’s get into it. ⚽🔥

What's in store this week:

• NWSL: Washington Spirit vs Bay FC (2-0)

• NWSL: Portland Thorns vs NC Courage (0-0)

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

• WSL: Chelsea vs West Ham (2-2)

• WSL: Brighton vs Manchester City (1-2)

• News: BOS Nation Revamp

• News: Tierna Davidson Knee Injury Update

Washington Spirit vs
Bay FC (2-0)

Ashley Hatch said “Golden Boot? Mine now,” dropping a first-half brace that vaulted her into fifth all-time in NWSL scoring and first in the race this season. Narumi Miura (in her 50th appearance) and Leicy Santos set her up, while Trinity Rodman turned chaos into chances before subbing off. Bay had a goal wiped by VAR and couldn’t cash in on 10 shots. Meanwhile, Kysha Sylla and Margie Detrizio made their Spirit debuts like, “Hey, we want in on this win too.” Next up: six Spirit players take a national team detour before they’re back April 12.

Shoutout to our intern, Brian, who’s been diving deep into Spirit match breakdowns. He’s got detailed reports for both Spirit’s home games against Kansas City Current and Bay FC—if you want a closer look at the action, check out the full write-ups linked here:

• Washington Spirit vs KC Current (Home Opener)

• Washington Spirit vs Bay FC (Past Weekend)

Orlando Pride vs
SD Wave (2-1)

Haley McCutcheon scored with her head, Marta scored with ice in her veins, and Orlando made it three-for-three to start 2025. Marta’s PK? Her 13th in regular-season history (that’s second all-time, FYI). San Diego tied it up through Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, but it only lasted 13 minutes. Kylie Nadaner hit her 100th appearance, calmly holding the line as Pride allowed just their second goal all season. Head coach Seb Hines praised their composure and control—especially after conceding.

Portland Thorns vs
NC Courage (0-0)

This one was less goals, more grit—but Mackenzie Arnold made sure Portland walked away with something. Her 76th-minute penalty save was the highlight in a night where the Thorns outshot NC 19–6 but couldn’t buy a goal. It was Arnold’s first clean sheet of the season, and Portland’s first as a team. The club also honored Becky Sauerbrunn with a $5K donation to Athlete Ally, adding a bit of heart to a hard-fought match. Caiya Hanks earned her first start, and Jessie Fleming came off the bench for her return from concussion protocol. The finishing was off, but the fight? That’s back. And for now, that’s enough.

NWSL: Where We
Stand So Far

Chelsea vs
West Ham (2-2)

Chelsea looked ready to waltz off with three points—until Shekiera Martinez crashed the party. After early goals from Maika Hamano and Aggie Beever-Jones, Chelsea got wasteful. Martinez made them pay, scoring before halftime and again in stoppage time. Manager Rehanne Skinner loved the fight from her side. Chelsea fans? Less thrilled. But hey, at least they’re still top of the table.

Brighton vs
Manchester City (2-1)

Kerstin Casparij scored her first-ever WSL goal, which seems like a big enough deal, but Mary Fowler also logged her league-leading sixth assist—girl’s on a tear. City soaked up Brighton’s pressure like pros, and Vivianne Miedema sealed it in stoppage time before Charlize Rule pulled one back for the hosts. Brighton’s home streak? Broken. And just in time for City to shift focus to something spicier: an FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United on April 13. Because what’s better than a little local rivalry with silverware on the line?

WSL: Where We
Stand So Far

Boston’s New Team Name

Let’s never speak of “BOS Nation FC” again. The name was supposed to be a clever nod to “Bostonian,” but paired with the painfully awkward “Too Many Balls” launch campaign, it flopped harder than a striker with no first touch. Co-founder Stephanie Connaughton summed it up perfectly: “We lost 49–0.” The branding was called out as tone-deaf, gimmicky, and borderline offensive. Instead of doubling down, the club hit pause—and hit reset.

Now? Enter Boston Legacy FC. After five months of listening to fans (over 1,500 of them), consulting branding experts, and re-running the whole naming process, they landed on a name they’d originally considered back in 2023. This time, it actually resonated. Club owner Jennifer Epstein (not that Epstein) says it’s about honoring Boston’s sports roots while building something future-facing. The team begins play in 2026 at White Stadium in Franklin Park. The logo’s still under wraps, but the rebrand is a much-needed first win.

Gotham’s Worst-Case
Scenario Is Back

There’s never a good time for a captain to go down—but just three games into a season you’re trying to salvage? Brutal. Tierna Davidson exited Gotham FC’s 0-0 draw with Houston in the 44th minute after collapsing awkwardly while closing down former teammate Yazmeen Ryan. The left knee. Immediate pain. Slammed hand to turf. You knew it was bad. Teammates and trainers helped her off, while Mandy Freeman subbed in and took the armband. The visuals said more than the scoreline.

After the game, Davidson returned to the sideline in a brace, which says “leader” but also says “this could be a while.” Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós called it “devastating,” but praised her strength just for being back out there. Still, this is a player who’s not just vital to Gotham’s back line but to the USWNT’s too—especially with Naomi Girma already out. If Davidson’s sidelined long-term, Gotham’s playoff hopes take a serious hit, and so do the USWNT’s defensive plans.

As of yesterday, Gisele Thompson has been called up in Davidson’s place. The 19-year-old Angel City defender joins her sister Alyssa Thompson on the senior roster again, after both impressed during the SheBelieves Cup.

We hope you’re back soon, T.