Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

This week was highlighted by Marta magic, Rodman’s return, and a record-breaking move—what a week in women’s soccer.

From Brazil's dramatic Copa América win sealed by a legendary performance from Marta 🏆 to the NWSL’s second-half kickoff packed with storylines: Rodman made instant history with a stoppage-time winner, Kansas City Current strengthened their title push with a record-breaking trade, and questions are mounting about player rest after a whirlwind summer of international play.

• Copa: Brazil saved by Marta’s heroics 🏆

• NWSL: Racing Louisville vs KC Current (0-2)

• NWSL: Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns (2-1)

• NWSL: Seattle Reign vs Angel City (2-0)

• NWSL: Orlando Pride vs Utah Royals (1-1)

• News: Rodman returns post-injury with a stoppage time winner

• News: KC Current break transfer record

• News: Are players getting enough rest?

🏆 Brazil vs
Colombia 4(5)-4(4)

Brazil won its ninth Copa América Femenina title in a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout over Colombia after a dramatic 4-4 draw. Colombia led three times, with standout performances from Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramírez, but Brazil responded each time including a stoppage-time equalizer and extra-time goal from 39-year-old legend Marta. The match featured a headbutt-penalty drama, an own goal, and relentless physicality. Marta, who missed her penalty in the shootout, still delivered unforgettable moments, and Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena made the decisive save. The final, the most exciting in tournament history, confirmed Colombia’s rise and Marta’s enduring legacy.

Read our Matchday Media Rep Diana’s analysis on the Copa América vs the Euros here.

Racing Louisville vs
KC Current (0-2)

The Kansas City Current opened the second half of the NWSL season with a commanding 2-0 road win over Racing Louisville, maintaining their spot at the top of the table. After a scoreless first half, Temwa Chawinga scored her ninth goal of the season in the 65th minute, followed by a header from Elizabeth Ball in her 100th career appearance just seven minutes later. Goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, making her league debut, secured the team’s seventh shutout of the season with key saves. The match also marked major milestones: Debinha returned from injury to earn her 150th NWSL appearance, while Ball netted her first goal of the season. With the win, Kansas City extended its win streak to seven and now holds an 11-point lead atop the standings.

Washington Spirit vs
Portland Thorns (2-1)

Trinity Rodman made a triumphant return for the Washington Spirit, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to lift her team to a 2-1 victory over Portland Thorns FC. After a strong first half saw Gift Monday open the scoring off a Rosemonde Kouassi assist, Portland equalized just before the break through Olivia Moultrie. The match remained tight and physical, but the Spirit found their spark late when Rodman entered to a roaring Audi Field crowd in the 72nd minute. In the 90+2', she smashed home a Croix Bethune flick for her third career stoppage-time game-winner, securing three crucial points and vaulting the Spirit to second place in the NWSL standings.

Read our Matchday Media Rep Brian’s full match analysis here.

Seattle Reign vs
Angel City (2-0)

Reign FC capped their Pride Match with a dominant 2-0 win over Angel City, led by Jess Fishlock’s second-half heroics and goalkeeper Claudia Dickey’s early saves. Fishlock scored in the 66th minute and helped force an own goal in the 86th off a Sofia Huerta corner, capping off Huerta’s influential night. Debutant Mia Fishel impressed with skillful runs and drew the corner that sealed the result. Back in action for the first time since June, Reign’s depth and second-half control proved the difference in a convincing home win. Listen to what Fishlock and Fishel had to say after the impressive win.

Orlando Pride vs
Utah Royals (1-1)

Orlando Pride battled back to earn a 1-1 draw against Utah Royals FC on Sunday night, thanks to a 72nd-minute equalizer from Prisca Chilufya, her second of the season and first at home. The goal was assisted by Simone Jackson, who notched her first professional assist just one match after her NWSL debut. Despite conceding early to Utah’s Mina Tanaka, Orlando dominated the second half but couldn’t find a winner. The match also marked the emotional return of forward Simone Charley, playing her first game since 2023 after back-to-back Achilles injuries. Orlando now sits at 26 points and will face Racing Louisville next at home.

NWSL: Where We
Stand So Far

At the NWSL midseason mark, Kansas City Current remain untouchable at the top with 36 points and a perfect 5-for-5 in their last matches. Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit are tied on 26 points, but Orlando edges second place on goal difference. San Diego Wave and Seattle Reign trail closely behind, keeping the top-four race tight. Portland Thorns sit in sixth with 22 points but are struggling for form, while Racing Louisville and Gotham FC are on the playoff bubble. At the bottom, Utah Royals and Chicago Stars are firmly in trouble, each with only one win this season and a goal differential of -17 or worse.

Trin Returns and
Makes History

Trinity Rodman made a triumphant return to the pitch after nearly four months out with a back injury, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to lift the Washington Spirit to a 2-1 victory over the Portland Thorns. Subbed on in the 76th minute, Rodman needed just 17 minutes to make history, becoming the first player in NWSL history with three stoppage-time match-winners, adding to her clutch goals in 2021 and 2022. Her goal kept the Spirit in second place in the standings and marked her first of the 2025 NWSL season, adding to the one she netted for the USWNT against Brazil earlier this year.

The match-winning moment was especially emotional for Rodman, who described her recovery as one of the hardest things she’s endured. Scoring in front of a home crowd at Audi Field made her return all the more meaningful. August 3rd now marks another milestone for Rodman, who also scored a game-winner for the USWNT on the same date a year earlier in the 2024 Olympic quarterfinals against Japan—a goal that helped propel the U.S. to the gold medal.

USWNT’s Ally Sentnor
Joins KC Current

USWNT forward Ally Sentnor has joined the first-place Kansas City Current from the Utah Royals in a record-breaking intra-league transfer worth $600,000, with an additional $100,000 in potential performance bonuses and a 20% future sell-on clause. The deal, which sends no players in return, sets a new NWSL intra-league transfer record and will be paid over three years to manage salary cap impacts. Sentnor, the 2024 U.S. Young Female Player of the Year and former No. 1 draft pick, has one goal and one assist this season for struggling Utah but brings four international goals and high upside to an already stacked Kansas City attack. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski praised Sentnor’s tenacity and mentality, calling her a strong culture fit. The two teams will meet August 8, adding immediate intrigue to her debut.

Are Players Getting
Enough Rest?

The NWSL resumed play just six days after the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final, raising concerns about player rest and recovery amid an increasingly crowded global calendar. England’s Jess Carter, fresh off a historic win, flew straight to the U.S. to rejoin Gotham FC, reflecting the reality for many international players who had minimal downtime before club action resumed. While some players, like Spain’s Esther González, opted for rest, others like Carter chose to return immediately, highlighting the individualized nature of post-tournament decisions. Gotham, which had six players across summer tournaments, allows flexible returns guided by team medical staff and player input.

The broader issue lies in the lack of formal rest mandates, as FIFA only requires players be released the day after a tournament ends. The NWSLPA and league leadership have raised alarms about player workload, travel, and the mental toll of overlapping club and international duties. While a CBA-mandated midseason break was introduced, it fell during a FIFA window, leaving international players without true rest. The union continues pushing for data-driven workload management, more influence over the match calendar, and scheduling breaks that also benefit players returning from national team duty.