Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

Here’s what’s in store this week:

We’re coming to you a day later than usual and honestly, can you blame us? The entire women’s soccer world (and this newsletter team) needed 24 extra hours to emotionally recover from Gotham FC ending the Kansas City Current’s dream season in the most shocking upset the NWSL playoffs have seen in years. The No. 8 seed went into CPKC Stadium and pulled off the impossible, leaving Brittany Mahomes, the KC faithful, and frankly, all of us staring blankly at our screens in disbelief.

Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, Orlando cruised past Seattle 2-0, the Washington Spirit survived a penalty shootout thriller over Racing Louisville, and the Portland Thorns edged San Diego 1-0 in overtime to round out the semifinal lineup. Off the field, there’s plenty to talk about too, Atlanta has officially been announced as the NWSL’s next expansion franchise, Gotham FC keeps adding power moves in the front office, and the USWNT U-23s have a new leader at the helm with Heather Dyche taking over as head coach. Buckle up, November is already delivering chaos, growth, and plenty of drama.

• NWSL Quarterfinals:

  • Orlando Pride vs Seattle Reign (2-0)

  • Washington Spirit vs Racing Louisville (1(3)-1(1)

  • KC Current vs Gotham FC (1-2)

  • Portland Thorns vs SD Wave (1-0)

• News:

  • Atlanta announced as next NWSL expansion franchise

  • Gotham FC keep growing

  • USWNT U-23 name Heather Dyche new head coach

Orlando Pride vs
Seattle Reign (2-0)

Seattle Reign FC’s campaign ended in the NWSL quarterfinals with a 2-0 loss to the defending champion Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium. Despite a strong start led by Sam Meza’s midfield control, the Reign fell behind in the 21st minute when Haley McCutcheon finished a slick passing sequence involving Marta and Julie Doyle. Seattle pushed back with several near misses from Sofia Huerta, Jordyn Huitema, and Maddie Mercado but couldn’t find an equalizer. The Reign dominated stretches of the second half, hitting the crossbar and forcing multiple saves, but Orlando sealed the result when Luana converted a stoppage-time penalty earned by Marta.

The loss ended a season of resurgence for Seattle, which returned to playoff contention after missing out in 2024. The night also marked an emotional milestone as longtime captain and soon-to-be-retired Lauren Barnes set a new NWSL record with her 12th postseason appearance, surpassing former teammate Megan Rapinoe.

Washington Spirit vs
Racing Louisville (1(3)-1(1))

The Washington Spirit secured a spot in the NWSL semifinals for the second straight year after a tense 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville that was decided in penalties before a sold out Audi Field crowd of over 19,000. Despite dominating first-half possession (73.6%), the Spirit couldn’t find an early breakthrough. In the 73rd minute, Gift Monday opened the scoring off a cross from Rosemonde Kouassi, but Louisville equalized in stoppage time through Kayla Fischer to force extra time. After neither side converted chances in the additional periods, the match went to a shootout.

In the penalty decider, Rebeca Bernal, Esme Morgan, and Hal Hershfelt converted their shots while goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury made two clutch saves, sealing the 3-1 shootout victory. The Spirit will now host the Portland Thorns in next weekend’s semifinal at Audi Field, continuing their push toward another NWSL title.

Fun Fact: Kingsbury has now stopped five of the last seven penalty shootout attempts faced across two postseasons, the best record in league playoff history.

KC Current vs
Gotham FC (1-2)

In one of the biggest shocks in recent NWSL playoff history, No. 8-seed Gotham FC stunned the top-ranked Kansas City Current 2-1 in extra time, ending the Shield winners’ dream season in dramatic fashion. Kansas City had looked untouchable all year—winning 21 matches, finishing 20 points clear of second place, and losing only three times all season—but none of that mattered on a frigid night at CPKC Stadium. Gotham matched the league’s most dominant team stride for stride, and in the 70th minute, Jaedyn Shaw broke the deadlock with a dazzling solo run and finish.

The Current clawed back deep into stoppage time through Ellie Wheeler to force extra time, but Gotham refused to fade. In the dying moments, with the score still level, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger came forward for a free kick that led to Katie Stengel’s dramatic winner—sending shockwaves through the league and the home crowd into silence. “Underdog my ass,” Shaw declared afterward, capturing the team’s defiant spirit. The upset eliminates a KC side that had not lost at home since July 2024 and propels Gotham into a semifinal clash with the Orlando Pride, reviving memories of their 2023 championship run born from another improbable playoff charge.

Fun Fact: Katie Stengel’s 121st-minute goal for Gotham is now the latest match-winning goal in NWSL postseason history. Also, Gotham’s upset run revives memories of their improbable 2023 title and marks the first time since 2017 that a top-seeded NWSL team lost their playoff opener at home.

Portland Thorns vs
SD Wave (1-0)

The Portland Thorns punched their ticket to the NWSL semifinals for the first time since 2023 with a 1-0 overtime victory over the San Diego Wave. After a scoreless 90 minutes marked by near misses from Deyna Castellanos and Olivia Moultrie, Reilyn Turner broke through in the 94th minute, heading in Moultrie’s cross to ignite Providence Park. The goal—Turner’s sixth across all competitions this year—snapped an 11-game drought and proved decisive as Portland recorded its third straight clean sheet behind goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. Listen to what the team had to say after the victory.

With the win, Portland claimed its eighth postseason victory—the most in NWSL history—and continued its dominance over San Diego, improving to 2-0 in playoff meetings. Head coach Rob Gale earned his first postseason win since taking over in 2024, while the Thorns advanced to a record 10th semifinal. They’ll face the Washington Spirit on Saturday, November 15, at Audi Field, aiming to keep their title hopes alive and extend their shutout streak.

Atlanta Set to Join NWSL in 2028

The NWSL has awarded its 17th franchise to Atlanta, with Arthur Blank's AMB Sports and Entertainment set to bring professional women's soccer back to the city in 2028. The team will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium alongside the NFL's Falcons and MLS' Atlanta United, both also owned by Blank. The expansion fee reportedly sits at $165 million—a significant jump from the $110 million Denver paid less than a year ago. It's a hefty price tag, but it reflects where the league is headed and the value Blank sees in the market.

Atlanta isn't new to women's professional soccer. The Atlanta Beat called the city home during both WUSA (2001-2003) and WPS (2010-2011), leaving behind a legacy that still resonates. This time around, the infrastructure and momentum are different. Atlanta United has been an MLS juggernaut since 2017, winning a championship in year two and leading the league in attendance nearly every season—averaging over 40,000 fans per game. That kind of energy doesn't just disappear when the women's game comes to town.

The timing also feels intentional. U.S. Soccer's new headquarters will open in Atlanta next year, backed by a $50 million donation from Blank. The city is positioning itself as a soccer hub, and adding an NWSL team only reinforces that vision. Commissioner Jessica Berman has made it clear the league can grow well beyond its current footprint, even floating the idea of reaching 32 teams like the NFL. Atlanta represents another step in that direction—a major market with proven soccer fans and an owner who's already built a blueprint for success. The NWSL expands to 16 teams in 2026 with Boston and Denver joining the fold. Atlanta's addition in 2028 signals the league's ambitions are only accelerating.

Gotham’s Growth Continues:
Carolyn Blodgett & Alex Chang’s Vision

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett’s journey from baking Giants-themed cakes as a kid to transforming Gotham FC into one of the NWSL’s most ambitious clubs is a story built on legacy, leadership, and community. The granddaughter of longtime New York Giants co-owner Bob Tisch, she grew up understanding the power of sports to unite people and create identity. That belief has guided her career — from heading global marketing at Peloton to founding Next 3 Ventures — and now fuels her mission as Gotham’s governor and lead owner. Since investing in the club in 2023, Tisch Blodgett has rebuilt Gotham from the ground up: expanding infrastructure, modernizing operations, and cultivating a culture rooted in trust and belonging. The results are striking — a 41% jump in attendance, a sixfold increase in partnerships, and a valuation that has more than doubled to $110 million.

Under her leadership, Gotham’s front office continues to grow with the addition of Alex Chang, the former San Francisco 49ers chief marketing officer, as chief revenue officer. Chang, the architect of the “faithful to the bay” campaign, brings NFL-caliber experience in fan engagement, partnerships, and game day innovation, aligning perfectly with Tisch Blodgett’s vision to turn Gotham into the first truly global women’s sports brand. Together, the duo embodies Gotham’s momentum both on and off the pitch — pairing record-breaking performances with an expanding business footprint. For Tisch Blodgett, the mission remains clear: build a club that connects generations, empowers women, and proves that the future of sports belongs equally to the women leading it.

USWNT U-23 Name
Heather Dyche New Head Coach

Heather Dyche has been appointed as the full-time head coach of the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team, marking the first full-time hire for this role since Matt Potter’s pandemic-shortened tenure. A respected and experienced figure in U.S. soccer, Dyche joins the federation after 11 successful seasons leading the University of New Mexico women’s program, where she earned back-to-back Mountain West Coach of the Year honors and guided the Lobos to multiple titles. U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes praised the move, emphasizing the importance of a dedicated leader to bridge the gap between youth development and the senior national team, a key focus as U.S. Soccer continues to strengthen its women’s pathway.

Dyche brings extensive experience within the federation, having served as a coach and analyst across nearly every U.S. women’s youth level, including the U-20s, and contributing to senior team tournaments like the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2022 Concacaf W Championship. Her career reflects a deep commitment to player development and education — she holds a U.S. Soccer “A” license, serves as an instructor for national coaching courses, and is the only American woman on FIFA’s Women’s Development Team.

An Albuquerque native, Dyche’s impact extends beyond the sidelines: she co-founded the LEAD Academy Soccer school for girls and worked with Caribbean national teams to advance women’s soccer across Concacaf. As she takes on this new role, Dyche says she’s eager to strengthen the connection between the U-23s and the senior U.S. Women’s National Team, shaping the next generation of Olympic and World Cup players through a shared vision of growth, opportunity, and excellence.