Welcome back to another edition of Goalside Gossip, your comprehensive source for women's soccer news and analysis. This week, we're diving deep into the action from three major leagues: the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the Women's Super League (WSL), and the USL Super League. We'll also bring you up to speed on the exciting Concacaf W Champions Cup. From thrilling matches to standout performances, we've got you covered on all the latest developments in these competitive leagues.

Here's what you can expect in this edition:

1. NWSL - KC Current vs Washington Spirit 🟥 (3-0)

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

3. WSL - Arsenal vs Manchester City (2-2)

4. WSL - Chelsea vs Aston Villa (1-0)

5. News - WSL Lands Record £45M Barclays Sponsorship Deal

6. Concacaf W Champions Cup Update

7. USL - Super League Matchday 6

Let's kick off our coverage and explore the exciting world of women's soccer across these prominent competitions.

NWSL Matchday 21

KC Current vs
Washington Spirit 🟥 (3-0)

The Washington Spirit fell 3-0 to the Current in a tough away match on September 20, 2024. Kansas City, powered by Golden Boot leader Temwa Chawinga, opened the scoring early with a goal from Nichelle Prince in the fourth minute, followed by Lo’eau LaBonta’s strike in the 31st minute. Despite some solid defensive efforts, notably from Tara McKeown, the Spirit struggled to create significant chances, with Trinity Rodman coming close near the end of the first half. Chawinga sealed the victory in the second half with her 16th goal of the season. The Spirit also faced a late injury to Rodman and a red card to Lena Silano, adding to their woes ahead of the next match.

Orlando Pride vs
Bay FC (1-0)

The Orlando Pride secured a 1-0 road victory over Bay FC, with Barbra Banda scoring the game-winning goal in the 84th minute. Despite a competitive match where Bay FC threatened several times, Pride's defense held strong, extending their unbeaten run to 21 games in the regular season. Coach Seb Hines made tactical adjustments, including resting key players, but the Pride continued their dominance, marking their fifth consecutive shutout. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse set an NWSL record with her 12th clean sheet of the season, as the Pride guaranteed a top-four finish and a home playoff match for the first time in club history.

Updated NWSL Standings

WSL Matchday 1

Arsenal vs
Manchester City (2-2)

Arsenal and Manchester City kicked off the Women's Super League season with a thrilling 2-2 draw in front of 41,818 fans at the Emirates. Arsenal took an early lead through Frida Maanum, but their former star Vivianne Miedema equalized for City before halftime. Jess Park’s stunning second-half strike put City ahead, but Arsenal’s Beth Mead secured a late equalizer following a controversial buildup. Both teams had chances, but City manager Gareth Taylor admitted he was content with the draw, while Chelsea benefited the most as their rivals shared the points.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa (1-0)

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's brilliant first-half strike helped Chelsea to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Aston Villa, giving Sonia Bompastor her first victory as Chelsea manager in her WSL debut. It was a historic moment for the Blues, as it marked the first time in 12 years that they played without Emma Hayes on the sidelines. Chelsea faced strong resistance from Aston Villa, with Robert de Pauw also managing his first league game for Villa. Despite Villa’s best efforts and several promising attacking moves, they were unable to break through Chelsea's defense or find the back of the net, securing a tight but valuable win for Bompastor’s new reign.

WSL Lands Record £45M
Barclays Sponsorship Deal

The Women's Super League (WSL) has secured a significant new three-year sponsorship deal with Barclays, valued at £45 million, which doubles the bank's previous investment in women's football. This contract marks the first major agreement under the Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), the new entity managing the WSL. To celebrate the renewal, a promotional video featuring 14 different club mascots was filmed at Barclays' offices. Nikki Doucet, CEO of WPLL, highlighted the importance of the deal, noting that Barclays' continued support will help drive the league's growth, further solidifying its status as a leader in women's football. She emphasized that this record-breaking, multi-year investment reflects the long-term commitment needed to push the game forward.

Barclays has been the title sponsor of the WSL since 2019, and this new deal is the largest sponsorship agreement in women's domestic football to date. Tom Corbett, Barclays' group head of sponsorship, expressed his pride in extending the bank's partnership, stating that the latest agreement reaffirms their dedication to supporting the sport at every level. The sponsorship will help create new opportunities within the game, benefiting players, clubs, and fans alike as the WSL continues to grow and gain prominence in the global football landscape.

Concacaf W Champions Cup

Group Stage Matchday 3 of 5:

• UANL vs Frazsiers Whip (7-1)

  • In a stunning display of dominance, Tigres UANL Femenil crushed Jamaica's Frazsiers Whip 7-1 in the Concacaf Women's Champions Cup, leaving the Jamaican side rooted to the bottom of Group A. Despite Davia Richards scoring Frazsiers Whip's first goal of the tournament, it was merely a consolation as Tigres unleashed a goal-scoring barrage, with Stephany Mayor capping off the rout with a late brace.

• SD Wave vs Portland Thorns (3-2)

  • In a thrilling comeback, San Diego Wave FC stunned Portland Thorns FC with a 3-2 victory, thanks to María Sánchez's electrifying hat-trick. Sánchez's heroics, including two penalty kicks and a powerful header, erased Portland's early 2-0 lead and propelled San Diego to the top of their group in this inaugural tournament that serves as a pathway to the FIFA Women's Club World Cup.

• Gotham FC vs Monterrey (0-0)

  • In a tense battle at Red Bull Arena, NWSL champion NJ/NY Gotham FC and Mexico's CF Monterrey Rayadas fought to a goalless draw. Despite Gotham's dominant possession and near-misses from Crystal Dunn and Delanie Sheehan, neither team could break the deadlock, leaving both sides tied for second in the group with 4 points as they vie for a coveted semifinal spot in this prestigious tournament.

• Club América vs Santa Fe (5-0)

  • Club América delivered a masterclass performance, thrashing Santa Fe 5-0. The Mexican powerhouse overwhelmed their Colombian opponents with goals from Luna, Luebbert, and a brace from Palacios, while Valdez capped off the rout, narrowly missing out on a sixth goal due to an offside call in the dying seconds of the match.

USL Super League Matchday 6

Due to popular demand, we will be updating you on the scores of the new USL Super League that was recently formed. For those of you who don’t know what the USL Super League is:

The USL Super League is a professional women's soccer league in the United States that is being developed by the United Soccer League (USL). It's aimed at providing a top-tier platform for women's soccer, with the league expected to compete at a high level, potentially vying for Division I status under U.S. Soccer, similar to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Here are some key points about the USL Super League:

• Inception: The league was announced in 2021 as part of the USL’s broader initiative to invest in women's soccer.

• Structure: The USL Super League will feature teams in cities across the U.S. and will be part of the USL's pyramid, which also includes men's leagues like the USL Championship and USL League One.

• Timeline: Originally slated to start in 2023, the league has officially launched in 2024.

• Vision: The USL Super League aims to provide a professional pathway for female athletes, with a focus on developing local talent and expanding opportunities for women in soccer both on and off the field.

The USL Super League will complement the existing professional women’s soccer infrastructure, expanding the competitive landscape for women’s soccer in the United States.

• Matchday 5:

  • Carolina Ascent FC vs Fort Lauderdale United FC (2-1)

  • Dallas Trinity FC vs DC Power FC (1-1)

  • Lexington SC vs Tampa Bay Sun FC (2-3)

  • Spokane Zephyr FC vs Brooklyn FC (1-1)

• Matchday 6:

  • Ft. Lauderdale United FC vs Lexington SC (3-1)

  • Spokane Zephyr FC vs DC Power FC (1-0)

  • Wed 9/25 @ 7:30PM ET: Brooklyn FC vs Dallas Trinity FC

  • Fri 9/27 @ 7:30PM ET: Carolina Ascent FC vs Tampa Bay Sun FC

Don’t be shy, tell your friends!