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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.

What's in store this week:

• 🇺🇸 NWSL Drama: KC Current's draw with Gotham FC and Washington Spirit's narrow victory over Angel City FC

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 WSL Fireworks: Chelsea's 7-goal extravaganza and Man City's gritty win

• 🆕 USL Super League: The latest scores and standings from this exciting new competition

• 🌟 Breaking News: Christine Sinclair's retirement announcement and Kiko Seike's historic WSL debut

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

NWSL Matchday 22

KC Current vs
Gotham FC (1-1)

The Kansas City Current played to a 1-1 draw against NJ/NY Gotham FC for the second time this season at CPKC Stadium. Gotham took an early lead in the 23rd minute with an own goal by Kansas City's captain Alana Cook , and Kansas City equalized in the 52nd minute with Temwa Chawinga's 17th goal of the season. Both teams had chances throughout the match, but neither could find a winner. Kansas City, now unbeaten in three matches against top teams, looks forward to their next away match against Racing Louisville FC on October 5. Chawinga is one goal shy of tying the NWSL single-season scoring record.

Washington Spirit vs
Angel City FC (2-1)

Washington Spirit secured a 2-1 victory against Angel City FC in a tightly contested NWSL match, with Makenna Morris scoring a late winner in the 78th minute. Spirit took the lead in the 31st minute through Ashley Hatch, but Angel City equalized in the 51st minute when Messiah Bright finished off a cross from Alyssa Thompson. Despite strong attacking efforts from Angel City, the Spirit, missing key players Trinity Rodman and Casey Krueger, held firm. Morris, coming off the bench, capitalized on a cross from Rosemonde “Rose” Kouassi to clinch the win, solidifying the Spirit's playoff spot while Angel City must keep fighting for eighth place..

Updated NWSL Standings

WSL Matchday 2

Chelsea vs
Crystal Palace (7-0)

Chelsea secured a dominant 7-0 victory over newly-promoted Crystal Palace to maintain their perfect start to the WSL season. Aggie Beever-Jones opened the scoring with a clinical finish after a Palace attack broke down, followed by Lucy Bronze’s goal just after halftime to make it 2-0. Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure with goals from Lauren James, Nathalie Björn, Catarina Macario, and two from Guro Reiten. Despite promising moments from Palace, including efforts from Annabel Blanchard, Indiah-Paige Riley, and Katie Stengel, Chelsea's clinical finishing and strong performances from James and Bronze ensured a comfortable win. Palace, still searching for their first WSL goal, struggled defensively and have conceded 11 goals in two matches.

Manchester City
vs Brighton (1-0)

Manchester City secured a 1-0 win over Brighton in a gritty clash at Joie Stadium. Khadija "Bunny" Shaw scored the decisive goal just before halftime, converting a cross from Kerstin Casparij. Despite City’s dominance, Brighton’s strong defensive performance kept the scoreline tight, frustrating the hosts who managed only one goal from seven shots on target. City introduced Jill Roord in the 80th minute, marking her return from an ACL injury. Brighton, bolstered by new signings, showed resilience, but City held on to secure all three points. Yui Hasegawa was named Player of the Match for her midfield control.

Christine Sinclair Announces
Upcoming Retirement

Canada’s Christine Sinclair, the world’s top international goalscorer among both men and women, announced she will retire from professional soccer at the end of the 2024 NWSL season in November. Sinclair, who retired from the Canadian national team last December with an unprecedented 190 international goals, is currently playing her 12th season with the Portland Thorns. The Thorns, sitting in a playoff spot, plan to honor Sinclair during their regular-season finale on November 1, celebrating her contributions, which include helping the team win NWSL titles in 2013, 2017, and 2022.

Sinclair, 41, holds the record for the most goals in Portland Thorns’ history, scoring 64 regular-season goals, the third-most in NWSL history. She is the only player to have been with the Thorns since their inception and leads the club in both games played and games started. The Thorns honored Sinclair on social media, calling her "The Greatest of All Time" and praising her for inspiring generations and changing the game during her illustrious career. She will be greatly missed in the NWSL.

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Kiko Seike Makes History

Kiko Seike made history in her Women's Super League debut, scoring a hat-trick to lead Brighton to a dominant 4-0 win over Everton. The 28-year-old Japanese forward became the first player in WSL history to achieve such a feat in their debut, marking an extraordinary start to her Brighton career. Having joined from Urawa Reds over the summer, where she scored 20 goals in her final season, Seike's performance quickly turned her into a fan favorite. Her first goal came from a powerful strike, followed by a diving header and a clever chip to complete her hat-trick.

Seike’s stellar debut was part of a strong overall showing by Brighton, whose manager Dario Vidosic celebrated his first WSL match with an emphatic victory. Fran Kirby, a fellow summer signing, also scored in the match and praised her new teammate, noting Seike’s direct style and goal-scoring instincts. With other high-profile additions such as Nikita Parris and Bruna Vilamala, Brighton’s revamped squad is positioning themselves as serious contenders in the league. Though Seike stole the headlines, the team remains focused on reaching new heights in the season ahead.

USL Super League Matchday 7

Key things to know 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.

Highlights from this week:

• Matchday 6:

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

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

  • Brooklyn FC vs Dallas Trinity FC (2-0)

  • Carolina Ascent FC vs Tampa Bay Sun FC (0-0)

• Matchday 7:

  • Brooklyn FC vs Lexington SC (1-0)

  • DC Power vs Spokane Zephyr FC (2-2)
    

Current USL Super League Standings

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