Welcome back to another edition of Goalside Gossip, your ultimate source for all things women's soccer!

It was a crazy week of last minute goals and exciting endings in the NWSL. Orlando widens the gap to first place and Washington drop crucial points to SD Wave. Here’s what to expect on this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip:

1. NWSL - Orlando Pride vs Gotham FC (2-0)

2. NWSL - SD Wave vs Washington Spirirt (1-1)

3. NWSL - NC Courage vs KC Current (2-1)

4. NWSL - Angel City vs Chicago Red Stars (2-1)

5. INT’L - Concacaf W Championship Update

6. NWSL - NWSL Votes to Eliminate Draft

Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's blend of Goals, Gossip, and Glory from the world of women's soccer.

NWSL Matchday 18

Orlando Pride vs Gotham FC (2-0)

Orlando Pride secured a 2-0 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC at Inter&Co Stadium, maintaining their unbeaten record and solidifying their position atop the NWSL standings. Adriana was the star of the match, scoring both goals within the first 20 minutes. Her first goal came in the 6th minute from a volley off a cross by Kylie Strom, while the second saw her dribble past a defender and slot the ball into the far post in the 19th minute. The win marked Head Coach Seb Hines' 26th victory, making him the winningest coach in club history, and extended Orlando's league-record unbeaten streak to 19 games.

The Pride’s defense was equally impressive, with goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse earning her ninth shutout of the season, further extending her club record. The match also celebrated the return of seven Olympians to the team, including Adriana and Marta, who made their first home appearances since the 2024 Summer Olympics. Orlando's dominant performance was highlighted by their ability to stifle Gotham's attack and maintain control throughout the game. The Pride will look to continue their winning ways as they head to SeatGeek Stadium to face the Chicago Red Stars on September 8.

SD Wave vs Washington Spirit (1-1)

San Diego Wave FC earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Washington Spirit at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday night. The Spirit took the lead in the 30th minute when Wave defender Kennedy Wesley's attempted clearance ricocheted off a teammate and into the net for an own goal. Despite the setback, San Diego pressed for an equalizer throughout the second half, which finally came in the 68th minute. Defender Kristen McNabb, scoring her first goal of the season, capitalized on a corner kick from María Sánchez, beating her marker to slot the ball into the lower corner.

The match saw significant contributions from goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who made a key save in the 71st minute to deny a header from Washington’s Leicy Santos. The game was part of San Diego's annual Military Appreciation Night, attracting a crowd of 23,541. In addition to McNabb's goal, the match marked milestones for several players, including Emily van Egmond's 50th appearance for the Wave and French international Delphine Cascarino's first start for the club. San Diego will next host North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium on September 8.

NC Courage vs KC Current (2-1)

The North Carolina Courage secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over the Kansas City Current at WakeMed Soccer Park. After falling behind in the 62nd minute to a goal by Temwa Chawinga, the Courage responded quickly, with Cortnee Vine scoring her first goal for the club just five minutes later, curling a shot into the far post. The match, which was delayed for over an hour due to severe weather, saw a thrilling conclusion when Brianna Pinto scored the game-winner in stoppage time, sending the 6,003 fans, the second-largest home crowd of the season, into celebration.

The win marked the Courage's fourth victory in five matches, improving their record to 9-1-8 and moving them up to fifth place in the NWSL standings. The Courage extended their unbeaten streak at home to 18 matches, a run that dates back to April of the previous season. The match also featured Aline Gomes making her NWSL debut after the weather delay, and Vine became the third Courage player this season to score in their home debut. The Courage will next travel to face San Diego Wave FC on September 8.

Angel City vs Chicago Red Stars (2-1)

Angel City FC secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars, with Sydney Leroux delivering the match-winning goal in stoppage time. The game started brightly for Angel City, who took the lead in the sixth minute when Meggie Dougherty-Howard unleashed a powerful shot from the top of the box. Although Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made an impressive save, Alyssa Thompson was perfectly positioned to capitalize on the rebound, tapping in her third goal in two matches to give Angel City an early advantage. Moments later, Angel City seemed to have doubled their lead through Jasmyne Spencer, but the goal was ruled offside by VAR. The first half ended on a sour note for Angel City as Chicago found an equalizer in the lengthy stoppage time, with Bae Franklin scoring off a corner kick.

The second half saw both teams battling the intense Los Angeles heat, with neither side able to find a breakthrough for much of the period. As the match wore on, Chicago began applying more pressure, while Angel City seemed content to play for a draw. However, in a moment of brilliance, Angel City struck late to snatch all three points. M.A. Vignola made a perfectly timed run and received a well-weighted ball from the back, then delivered a precise cross to Leroux, who slid in to smash the ball into the net, sending the BMO Stadium crowd into a frenzy. This win not only secured a season sweep over Chicago but also moved Angel City into a tie with Bay FC for the final playoff spot, giving them a vital boost of confidence as they aim for a late-season playoff push.

Updated NWSL Standings

Concacaf W Champions Cup Update

The Concacaf W Champions Cup returns this week on Wednesday. We will cover all of the action in our newsletter and on social media so make sure to give us a follow if you don’t already. You don’t want to miss this!

Inaugural Edition:

• Start Date: Group stage started on Tuesday, Aug 20!

• Purpose: The Concacaf W Champions Cup is a new international women's soccer competition. It allows NWSL teams to compete against other top teams from North America, and serves as a qualifier for the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup in 2026.

Teams Involved:

• Group A: NY/NJ Gotham FC (USA), Tigres (MEX), Monterrey (MEX), Alajuelense (CRC), Frazsiers Whip (JAM)

• Group B: San Diego Wave (USA), Portland Thorns (USA), Club America (MEX), Santa Fe (PAN), Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN)

Tournament Format:

• Preliminary Round: Two teams compete for a spot in the group stage. The Vancouver Whitecaps beat Alianza (1-0) to snag this last spot.

• Group Stage: 10 teams split into two groups.

• Semifinals: Top two teams from each group advance to single-elimination matches.

• Finals & Third-Place Match: Held next spring (May 2025).

Next Matches:

• Sep 4: Santa Fe vs. Vancouver Whitecaps; Portland Thorns vs. Club America

• Sep 5: Alajuelense vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC; Monterrey vs. Frazsiers Whip

For the full list of group stage matches, click HERE.

Standings So Far:

NWSL Eliminates the Draft

The National Women’s Soccer League’s recent decision to eliminate its draft of college players has sent ripples through the sports world, potentially challenging the long-standing practices of North America’s major professional leagues. The NWSL’s move toward a full free-agency model is a significant shift that aligns more closely with the global nature of soccer, where players are typically free to negotiate with clubs across various continents. The NWSL draft had become increasingly out of step with the realities of the international soccer market, where elite players from Europe and elsewhere were unlikely to subject themselves to a draft system that restricted their labor rights. By adopting this new model, the NWSL aims to better compete with top European leagues for talent, offering more freedom and flexibility to players—a move that could serve as a wake-up call for the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB.

The NWSL’s decision also calls into question the traditional justification for the amateur draft in North American sports: that it ensures competitive balance by distributing talent evenly across teams. This argument, which has been upheld in various court challenges, claims that without such a system, the strongest teams in major markets like New York or Los Angeles would monopolize the best players, undermining the league’s overall viability. However, the success of European sports leagues, which operate without such drafts, suggests that this reasoning may be flawed. In these leagues, young stars like Jude Bellingham can move freely between clubs, developing their talents at top teams without being tied to the weakest clubs. If the NWSL thrives under its new model, it could expose the draft system in North American sports as not only outdated but also as a mechanism that unfairly limits the career autonomy of young athletes, potentially prompting legal and political challenges that could reshape the future of professional sports in the United States.

Read more about this drastic decision HERE.