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

Wow. What a thrilling week of goals it has been in the NWSL. The race for the top is truly heating up. In this edition of Goalside Gossip, we will cover our most exciting games from the NWSL Matchday 20 including Orlando dropping some points and SD Wave finally getting a win with Landon Donavan. Lastly, if you wanted MORE women’s soccer, then you’re in luck because the WSL is back this weekend. Here’s what you can expect from this edition of Goalside Gossip:

1. NWSL - Seattle Reign vs Gotham FC (0-2)

2. NWSL - Orlando Pride vs KC Current (0-0)

3. NWSL - Washington Spirit vs Houston Dash (3-0)

4. NWSL - Utah Royals vs SD Wave (1-2)

5. News - Washington Spirit Partners with Fanatics Sportsbook

6. News - Ashley Sanchez Sets NWSL Record

7. WSL - England WSL is back!

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

NWSL Matchday 20

Seattle Reign vs
Gotham FC (0-2)

Gotham FC solidified their position as a top contender in the NWSL with a 2-0 victory over Seattle Reign, driven by goals from Delanie Sheehan and Esther. Throughout the match, Gotham displayed tactical superiority, balancing a solid defense with swift counterattacks and maintaining 57% possession. Sheehan’s goal in the 41st minute came from persistent pressing, while Esther sealed the win in the 85th minute with a well-executed team play. Gotham’s defense, led by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, was impenetrable, allowing only one second-half shot on target, marking Berger’s sixth shutout of the season.

This victory propelled Gotham FC into third place in the NWSL standings, moving past Kansas Current and reinforcing their season-long consistency. Gotham's impressive records when scoring first or leading at halftime highlight their ability to maintain composure under pressure. With a defense that shuts down opponents and an attack that capitalizes on opportunities, Gotham continues to prove they are one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in the league.

Orlando Pride vs
KC Current (0-0)

Orlando Pride extended their unbeaten run in 2024 with a 0-0 draw against Kansas City Current, maintaining their place at the top of the NWSL standings. Despite ending their six-game winning streak, the Pride demonstrated resilience in a match where both teams struggled to break down each other’s defenses. Orlando had a slight edge in possession and shots on target but found it challenging to capitalize against Kansas City's counterattack-oriented strategy. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse played a crucial role, securing her 11th clean sheet of the season, tying a league record and helping the team remain defensively solid.

Kansas City also posed threats with dangerous counterattacks, but their attempts were met with strong defending from Orlando’s backline, led by players like Cori Dyke and Kylie Strom. Both sides created opportunities, with standout performances from Kansas City's Almuth Schult and Orlando's Marta and Barbra Banda. The Pride’s defensive success has been a hallmark of their season, contributing to their 20-game unbeaten streak. This draw keeps them comfortably in first place, though Washington Spirit is within striking distance depending on their upcoming match.

Washington Spirit vs
Houston Dash (3-0)

The Washington Spirit continued their dominant form with a 3-0 victory over the Houston Dash, thanks to two first-half goals from Ashley Hatch and a second-half strike by none other than Trinity Rodman. Hatch opened the scoring early, converting a penalty in the 7th minute after a handball in the box. She doubled the lead in the 26th minute, finishing off a perfect cross from Rodman. Hatch’s performance marked a milestone as she reached 50 NWSL career goals. Leicy Santos nearly added a fourth goal in the first half, but it was disallowed due to a foul.

Rodman sealed the win just after halftime, scoring a stunning goal from outside the box and celebrating with a playful “Night Night” tribute, imitating NBA star Stephen Curry. The win solidified Washington’s unbeaten run over five matches and secured their spot in the playoffs with six games still to play. Meanwhile, the Houston Dash's struggles continued, extending their winless streak to nine games and keeping them at the bottom of the NWSL standings with a disappointing 3-12-5 record.

Utah Royals vs
SD Wave (1-2)

San Diego Wave FC secured their first road win of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Utah Royals at America First Field on Saturday. Forward Amirah Ali scored the fastest goal in club history just 27 seconds into the match, redirecting a cross from Delphine Cascarino into the net. The Wave quickly doubled their lead in the 6th minute, with Makenzy Doniak finding Cascarino, who netted her first NWSL goal.

Utah fought back in the second half, with new signing Cloé Lacasse scoring a stunning goal from outside the box in the 59th minute. However, it wasn’t enough, as Cascarino’s goal proved to be the game-winner for San Diego. The match also marked interim head coach Landon Donovan’s first NWSL regular-season win, and Hillary Beall’s first start as goalkeeper. San Diego now looks ahead to a busy schedule, including their next match against the Portland Thorns in the Concacaf W Champions Cup on Sept. 18.

Despite Utah leading in shots (13-7) and corners (9-1), San Diego held on to claim the three points with 51% possession.

Ashley Sanchez Sets
NWSL Record

Ashley Sanchez is the first player to score against all 14 active NWSL clubs. This impressive feat showcases the versatility and scoring prowess of the 24-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for the North Carolina Courage. Sanchez's NWSL career began with the Washington Spirit in 2020, where she quickly made her mark by winning the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend Award. In 2021, she played a crucial role in the Spirit's championship run, scoring the game-winning goal in the playoff semifinal against OL Reign. Throughout her NWSL career, Sanchez has consistently been an offensive powerhouse, recording 15 goals and 18 assists in just over 100 appearances. Her recent move to the Courage has seen her maintain this form, scoring three goals in three consecutive wins leading up to the July 2024 international break.

Washington Spirit Partners with
Fanatics Sportsbook

The Washington Spirit has announced a significant partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook, marking the sportsbook's entry into Washington, D.C. and its first collaboration with a professional women's sports organization. This deal establishes Fanatics as the Spirit's official sports betting partner, bringing new engagement opportunities to fans through in-stadium activations and digital marketing initiatives.

The partnership will introduce features such as pre-match trivia and halftime contests, offering fans chances to win FanCash. D.C. residents can now access the Fanatics Sportsbook app on iOS and Android, with enhanced responsible gaming tools and the ability to earn up to 10% FanCash on bets. This collaboration not only expands the Spirit's commercial reach but also underscores the increasing prominence of women's soccer in the sports betting landscape.

Updated NWSL Standings

The WSL Returns

The Women's Super League (WSL) is back, and the 2024/2025 season promises to be the most thrilling yet. With top-tier clubs stacking their rosters with world-class talent and a growing fanbase, the race for the title is wide open.

Defending champions Chelsea, aiming for their sixth consecutive title, have entered a new era under the management of Sonia Bompastor. After a decade of dominance with Emma Hayes at the helm, all eyes are on how Chelsea will fare with their new-look squad. Arsenal, under rising star Rosa Kafaji, are hungry for their first league win since 2019, while Manchester City has strengthened their side with the likes of Vivianne Miedema, making them serious title contenders.

The competition is fierce across the board, with Manchester United looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign, while Brighton, West Ham, and Leicester City have all made big moves in the transfer market, ready to climb the standings. With action set to kick off on Friday, September 20, this season could very well be the most competitive in WSL history. Buckle up—it's going to be an unforgettable ride!

WSL Matchweek 1 Games:

• Friday, Sep 20:

  • Chelsea vs Aston Villa @ 2PM EST

• Saturday, Sep 21:

  • Man Utd vs West Ham @ 7AM EST

  • Brighton vs Everton @ 7:30AM EST

• Sunday, Sep 22:

  • Arsenal vs Man City @ 7:30AM EST

  • Tottenham vs Crystal Palace @ 9AM EST

  • Liverpool vs Leicester City @ 9AM EST