🎉 Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip! ⚽️

Goals galore in the Women’s Super League! The Manchester Derby delivered fireworks, Chelsea and Arsenal both netted five in dominant displays, and the latest standings hint at a thrilling title race ahead. Meanwhile, big moves are shaking up the global stage—Naomi Girma’s record-breaking $1M transfer has heads turning, and Kerolin is ready to dazzle in Europe with Manchester City. Stateside, fresh faces in the NWSL signal an exciting new chapter, just as fans count down to the league's return.

What's in store this week:

• WSL: Goals Galore in Manchester

• WSL: Chelsea vs West Ham (5-0)

• WSL: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (5-0)

• WSL: Standings So Far

• News: Naomi Girma’s $1M Transfer

• News: Kerolin Looks to Dominate in Europe

• News: From the NCAA to the NWSL

Man United vs
Man City (4-2)

Ella Toone marked her return to WSL action with a stunning hat-trick as Manchester United triumphed 4-2 over Manchester City in a thrilling derby at the Etihad Stadium. Toone capitalized on defensive errors from City, scoring twice in the first half to give United a commanding lead alongside Leah Galton's close-range strike. Despite late first-half goals from Vivianne Miedema and Rebecca Knaak reigniting City's hopes, Toone's third goal early in the second half sealed the victory, leaving City goalkeeper Khiara Keating to rue her costly mistakes.

United's relentless pressing and dynamic attacking display overwhelmed a City side missing key players due to injury, including Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw, and Alex Greenwood. While City showed flashes of resilience, particularly with a brief comeback before halftime, their struggles with defensive organization and individual errors proved insurmountable. The win propels United into third place in the WSL table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea, while City face an uphill battle to stay in contention for the title. United manager Marc Skinner hailed his team’s energy and emphasized the importance of building momentum for the season ahead.

Chelsea vs
West Ham (5-0)

Chelsea delivered a commanding performance against West Ham at Victoria Road, reaffirming their status as WSL leaders with a dominant 5-0 victory. From the outset, the Blues applied relentless high pressing and fast attacks, pinning the hosts in their defensive third. Catarina Macario opened the scoring with a well-taken shot in the 11th minute, setting the tone for Chelsea's control. Erin Cuthbert added a second soon after, capitalizing on a misplaced West Ham goal kick with a composed finish.

Despite easing their intensity late in the first half, Chelsea continued to find the back of the net, with Aggie Beever-Jones,  who’s had an incredible breakout season so far, scoring from close range to make it 3-0. The second half saw more of the same, as Sandy Baltimore added a fourth with a sharp strike, and an own goal from West Ham's Amber Tysiak sealed the comprehensive win. West Ham struggled to create any meaningful chances, as Chelsea's energy and pressing left them with no room to breathe.

Arsenal vs
Crystal Palace (5-0)

Arsenal celebrated Renée Slegers’ promotion to head coach with a dominant 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Meadow Park. The warm reception from the fans reflected Slegers’ growing popularity, having led the team to an unbeaten streak of 11 wins in 12 matches since taking charge. Leah Williamson opened the scoring just six minutes in, sidefooting home Katie McCabe’s corner for her first goal since March 2023, a moment laced with irony given her recent comments downplaying her goal-scoring potential.

The second half saw Arsenal shift gears with the introduction of Caitlin Foord, who played a pivotal role in securing the win. Foord’s efforts set up Alessia Russo for a rebound goal, followed by Beth Mead’s near-post strike, and a penalty converted by Mariona Caldentey after Foord was brought down. Caldentey sealed the victory deep into added time with her second goal after Russo hit the post. Slegers praised the impact of her substitutes, highlighting their importance as Arsenal tallied 36 goals in 12 matches under her leadership.

WSL Standings

Chelsea remain dominant at the top of the Women's Super League table, with an impressive 10 wins out of 11 matches, sitting comfortably with 31 points and a strong goal difference of +30. Arsenal and Manchester United are neck-and-neck in second and third, both on 24 points, with Arsenal edging ahead on goal difference. Meanwhile, Manchester City lingers in fourth with 22 points after a mixed run of results, including recent setbacks. Brighton holds fifth place, leading the mid-table pack with 17 points, while Tottenham, Liverpool, and Aston Villa battle for positioning in a tight mid-tier race. At the bottom, Crystal Palace is struggling to adapt to the league with just five points and a dire goal difference of -23, while Leicester and West Ham also face challenges in escaping the relegation zone. The standings show fierce competition in the race for European spots and survival, with plenty of drama to unfold in the coming weeks!

Naomi Girma’s $1M Transfer

San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma is at the center of a historic bidding war as European giants Lyon and Chelsea vie for her signature with a record-breaking $1 million transfer offer. At just 24, Girma has already claimed two NWSL Defender of the Year titles and played pivotal roles in the USWNT’s 2023 World Cup campaign and Paris 2024 gold medal victory. Her immense skill, composure, and leadership on the pitch have drawn praise from coaches and players alike, solidifying her status as one of the world’s top defenders.

If completed, this transfer would set a new benchmark in women’s soccer, eclipsing the $860,000 record set by Racheal Kundananji's move to Bay FC. It underscores the growing financial power of the women’s game and signals a shift in how female athletes are valued. For the NWSL, losing Girma would be a blow to San Diego Wave but also a testament to the league’s ability to develop world-class talent. As Chelsea and Lyon battle it out, Girma’s potential move highlights the global rise of women’s soccer and the growing demand for American talent on the international stage.

Get to know Naomi more here.

Kerolin Looks to
Dominate in Europe

Brazilian superstar Kerolin is set to shake up the WSL after her move to Manchester City from North Carolina Courage. The 25-year-old forward, a standout player in the NWSL and the league's 2023 MVP, brings her technical skill, speed, and attacking prowess to a City side looking to bolster its title challenge and European ambitions. After conquering the NWSL with her decisive goals and flair, Kerolin's transfer marks a new chapter in her career, providing her the opportunity to prove herself on one of the biggest stages in women's soccer.

Kerolin's arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Manchester City, currently in fourth place in the WSL. Her ability to break down defenses and deliver in key moments is expected to inject creativity and firepower into City's attack, like she knows how to do so well. The transition to the more tactical and technical style of European soccer is likely to amplify Kerolin's strengths, making her a key player in City's pursuit of domestic and Champions League success. For the club, signing such a high-caliber talent signals its intent to compete with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal for supremacy in England and abroad.

NCAA Stars → NWSL

The NWSL offseason has brought exciting new talent into the league, with clubs adding standout players from the college and international ranks:

• Clare Gagne (Kansas City Current): Gagne joins KC Current on a 1-year deal after leading UNC to a national championship in 2024. Known for her stellar shot-stopping ability, she earned honors as the 2024 NCAA College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

• Sarah Weber (Racing Louisville): Weber, a forward from the University of Nebraska, signed a 2-year contract with Racing Louisville. A Big Ten Regular Season Champion, she finished her collegiate season ranked fourth nationally in shots per game. Louisville coach Bev Yanez praised Weber as “a dynamic attacker… scoring and creating at an impressive rate.” Weber also has international experience, representing the U-23 U.S. national team.

• Trinity Armstrong (San Diego Wave FC): At just 17, Armstrong signed a three-year deal with San Diego Wave FC through 2027. A freshman standout at UNC, Armstrong anchored the defense in their national championship run, tallying 13 shutouts and scoring a crucial game-winner in the ACC Tournament semifinals. Her accolades include All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Freshman Team honors. Check out Trinity’s heroic goal line clearance here.