Welcome to another electrifying edition of Goalside Gossip! ⚽️ Drama in the WSL didn’t disappoint this week—Leicester City stunned Chelsea with a gutsy 1-1 draw, Aston Villa dominated West Ham 3-1 with flair, and Everton shook things up with a jaw-dropping 2-1 upset over Manchester City. The WSL will now pause for the holiday break, giving teams time to regroup. For City, the focus will be on consistency as they chase Chelsea, while Arsenal looks to maintain momentum in their bid to climb higher in the standings.

Stateside, the NWSL offseason is rewriting the playbook without a draft, and we break down what that looks like. BOS Nation FC’s stadium saga is heating up, and Cleveland is going all-in for their chance at NWSL glory. So buckle up—there’s so much to unpack, and we’re diving straight in! 🎉

What's in store this week:

• 🇬🇧 WSL: Leicester City vs Chelsea (1-1)

• 🇬🇧 WSL: Aston Villa vs West Ham (3-1)

• 🇬🇧 WSL: Everton vs Manchester City (2-1)

• 💡 News: How the NWSL Offseason Will Work Without a Draft

• 💰 NWSL: BOS Nation’s Struggles Continue

• 🏅 News: Cleveland Making One Final NWSL Push

Leicester City vs
Chelsea (1-1)

Leicester City stunned WSL leaders Chelsea by securing a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium, ending the Blues’ hopes of becoming the first team to win their opening 10 league games. Injury-hit Leicester, sitting near the bottom of the table, defied expectations by taking an early lead through substitute Missy Goodwin. Despite Chelsea’s dominance in possession and shots, Leicester’s disciplined defense and spirited performance frustrated the reigning champions. Wieke Kaptein’s second-half equalizer salvaged a point for Chelsea, but the result marked their first stumble of the season.

Aston Villa vs
West Ham (3-1)

Aston Villa secured a vital 3-1 victory over West Ham United, marking their second consecutive WSL win under interim head coach Shaun Goater. Two first-half goals from Adriana Leon, bookending a header from West Ham’s Viviane Asseyi, gave Villa a much-needed boost, as they earned back-to-back home WSL wins for the first time this season. Leon, making her second start of the season, proved instrumental, showing the clinical finishing that had been missing earlier in the campaign. Kenza Dali added a spectacular third goal late on to seal the win.

Villa’s improved form under Goater comes after a challenging start to the season, which saw them win only one of their first nine league matches. The managerial change, following Robert de Pauw’s dismissal, has sparked a renewed energy, with Goater emphasizing the need for immediate results. The win lifts Villa to seventh in the table, with hopes of reigniting their top-five ambitions in the new year.

Everton vs
Manchester City (2-1)

Mary Fowler scored a late penalty for Manchester City, but it wasn’t enough as they fell 2-1 to Everton in a frustrating loss. Fowler’s 89th-minute strike, her third league goal of the season, gave City a glimmer of hope, but Everton held firm to secure their first-ever WSL victory over the visitors. Lucy Hope and Honoka Hayashi provided Everton’s goals in the first half, with City’s Alanna Kennedy enduring a tough outing. The Australian defender was at fault for both goals and was substituted at halftime by City manager Gareth Taylor.

How the NWSL Offseason Will Work
Without a Draft

The college draft in the NWSL is officially a thing of the past. Starting in 2025, college players will no longer be assigned to teams through a draft system. Instead, they’ll have the freedom to choose where they want to play, just like any other free agent. But how does this shake up the league? Let’s dive into the new rules, key dates, and what this means for players and teams.

How Will College Players Join the NWSL Now?

College players are now free agents. This means they can talk to all 14 NWSL teams and sign wherever they choose, provided:

• They’ve graduated from college or given up their NCAA eligibility.

• They’re ready to go pro (sorry, freshmen and sophomores—you’ll have to wait)

For example, NCAA stars like Trinity Byars (Texas) and Quincy McMahon (UCLA) have already taken advantage of this new system by signing with San Diego Wave. Clearly, some teams are wasting no time adapting to this new era.

What Changed? 

Before this, college players had to enter the NWSL Draft. If they didn’t, they were stuck waiting an entire year to join the league—or heading overseas to play. Once drafted, players had no say in where they landed, often having to demand trades or seek options abroad if the fit wasn’t right. Now, players control their futures. Teams, on the other hand, must step up their scouting game and compete for top talent.

Will This Affect NWSL Parity? 

Absolutely. Under the old system, the worst team got the first pick, helping them rebuild with top talent. Now? It’s a free-for-all. Players will choose based on factors like:

• Money: The league minimum is $48,500, but top rookies could earn six figures.

• Location: Who wouldn’t want to live in sunny San Diego?

• Style of Play & Culture: Teams that build welcoming environments will thrive.

That said, the NWSL still has a salary cap, set at $3.3 million for 2025 and rising to $5.1 million by 2030. So, teams will need to budget wisely while wooing the best college players.

Key Dates to Keep on Your Radar:

• December 13, 2024: The NWSL transfer window opens. Teams can start signing college players and making trades.

• December 20–26, 2024: Holiday freeze! No trades or signings allowed.

• January 1, 2025: The European transfer window opens, offering more opportunities for players and teams.

• January 31, 2025: European transfer window closes, but NWSL teams can still make moves until April.

• Mid-January 2025 (TBD): Expect a “signing day” event where many college players ink their first deals.

• Early February 2025: Preseason kicks off, with trialists battling for roster spots.

• Mid-March 2025: The NWSL season begins—mark your calendars!

What’s Next?

This offseason will be uncharted territory, but it’s an exciting shift. Players like NWSLPA President Tori Huster believe this change puts power in the players’ hands, letting them choose environments where they can thrive.

For teams, it’s time to hustle. Scouting, strategy, and culture-building will be crucial to attract the best talent. And for fans? Get ready for a wild and unpredictable offseason as the league transitions to this new system.

BOS Nation’s
Struggles Continue

BOS Nation FC, Boston’s new NWSL team set to debut in 2026, faces significant challenges as its plan to renovate White Stadium in Franklin Park encounters rising costs and growing opposition from community members. The ambitious proposal is a public-private partnership between Boston Unity Soccer Partners, the team’s ownership group, and the city of Boston. It aims to transform the aging stadium into a state-of-the-art facility. However, what seemed like a win-win scenario—a modern stadium for the team and an upgraded venue for Boston Public Schools and community events—has sparked controversy.

The renovation, originally estimated to cost $50 million in public funds, is now projected at $91 million. This surge in costs has alarmed residents, some of whom argue that the city is shouldering an unjustified financial burden. Community opposition has coalesced under the Franklin Park Defenders, a group challenging the project’s focus on professional sports over public use. Mayor Michelle Wu, however, defends the project, stating that despite the rising expenses, the investment is essential for revitalizing a facility neglected for decades.

Adding to the turmoil, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and other plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against the city and BOS Nation FC, arguing the project violates Massachusetts laws protecting public lands. The lawsuit contends that the stadium deal illegally transfers public parkland to private hands. The case is set to go to trial in March 2025.

With construction already delayed, BOS Nation’s 2026 launch timeline looks increasingly precarious. If White Stadium isn’t completed on time, the team may have to consider suboptimal alternatives, such as Boston University’s Nickerson Field or delaying their debut altogether. Meanwhile, another potential solution—the New England Revolution’s proposed soccer stadium in Everett—remains years away from completion.

For now, BOS Nation’s plans remain in limbo. With just 15 months until their inaugural season, the team faces the dual challenge of resolving legal disputes and winning community support. Whether they can overcome these obstacles and deliver a stadium worthy of their ambitions remains to be seen.

Cleveland Make Final Push

Cleveland Soccer Group is making a final push to secure a NWSL expansion team as the league prepares to decide on its 16th team. The bid, led by CEO Michael Murphy, has generated substantial enthusiasm, with over 15,300 season ticket pledges already collected. More than a quarter of these commitments come directly from Cleveland residents, demonstrating strong local support for professional women’s soccer in the city.

Cleveland is competing against Cincinnati and Denver for the coveted spot. While both of its rivals already host MLS teams and have established stadiums, Cleveland’s bid stands out because it envisions a brand-new stadium where a women’s team would take center stage as the primary tenant. According to Murphy, this offers Cleveland a unique opportunity to make its mark on a rapidly growing sport. "The league could come to Cleveland and be the primary soccer brand in a major American city," he said.

The proposed 12,500-seat stadium would be located on a 13.5-acre site in downtown Cleveland, near Interstate 90 and across from Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland Metroparks. Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman touted the site’s strategic advantages, pointing to its proximity to major highways, dynamic trail systems, and overall connectivity. "I don't know that there's another site in the country that hits all of the boxes," Zimmerman said, emphasizing the location’s ability to attract fans and integrate with Cleveland's infrastructure.

The total cost of the stadium is estimated at $150 million, while the broader project, including training facilities and franchise startup expenses, could reach $300 million. Murphy remains optimistic about Cleveland’s chances, noting that the city is the last top-20 U.S. media market without a major professional soccer team. The final decision is expected before the end of the year, leaving Cleveland with high hopes of becoming the next home for professional women’s soccer.