Welcome back to another edition of Goalside Gossip, your go-to source for all things women's soccer! This week’s top story is the Orlando Pride's first loss of the season, shaking up the NWSL. We also dive into two standout matches from the WSL, packed with thrilling last-minute action. Plus, we're bringing you the latest drama from around the globe, including the headlines coming out of San Diego. From championship victories to off-field controversies, we’ve got all the stories making waves in women’s soccer!

What's in store this week:

• 🫢 Down Go The Pride: Orlando handed their first loss of the season

• 🌪️ Chaos in North Carolina: Two goals in the last 3 mins

• 🌟 WSL: Late Goals Everywhere

• ✨ Broken Record: Chawinga is on a roll

• 😮 Drama: More Waves Being Made in San Diego

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

NWSL Matchday 24

Portland Thorns vs
Orlando Pride (2-0)

The Portland Thorns handed Orlando Pride their first loss of the season with a 2-0 win on Friday night. Morgan Weaver opened the scoring in the 13th minute, capitalizing on a header from Reyna Reyes off a corner kick. Christine Sinclair, playing her final season after 11 years with the Thorns, doubled the lead in the 55th minute with her 80th career goal, securing her place as the second-highest scorer in NWSL history. Weaver was injured in the 60th minute and had to leave the game. Sinclair also took a hard fall in the first half but returned after a brief checkup on the sidelines, later receiving a standing ovation from the Providence Park crowd as she was subbed out.

The Pride, who came into the match with a 17-0-6 record, had already secured the NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record. Head coach Seb Hines chose to rest key players like Barbra Banda, Adriana, and Marta, with Banda and Adriana only coming on in the 65th minute and Marta entering later. Despite their dominance this season, Orlando has historically struggled at Portland’s Providence Park, having won there only once in 2018. Portland’s victory ended their own seven-game winless streak and kept them in seventh place, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

NC Courage vs Angel City FC (1-1)

North Carolina Courage and Angel City FC played to a dramatic 1-1 draw on Saturday night, complicating Angel City's playoff hopes. Despite dominating the first half with over 60% possession and multiple shots on target, the Courage failed to score, leaving Angel City relieved to head into halftime with the score still 0-0. Needing a win to keep their postseason chances alive, Angel City emerged more aggressive in the second half, steadily increasing their shots on goal but struggling to break through until late in the match.

In stoppage time, Angel City’s Christen Press delivered a moment of magic, faking out a defender and slotting home what appeared to be the game-winning goal. However, just minutes later, North Carolina struck back in dramatic fashion, with Olivia Wingate scoring a last-gasp equalizer to salvage a point for the home team. While the draw doesn't mathematically eliminate Angel City from the playoffs, their path to qualification has grown steeper. They now prepare for their final home match against Utah Royals next weekend, hoping for results elsewhere to go their way.

NWSL Standings

WSL Matchday 4

Man City vs Liverpool (2-1)

Liverpool FC Women fell 2-1 to Manchester City in a hard-fought match at Anfield, despite taking the lead. Liverpool struck first through Olivia Smith in the 41st minute, with Smith driving forward from midfield and firing a low shot past City’s keeper, Yamashita. However, Smith’s celebration was cut short as she appeared to injure her lower back but was able to continue until halftime. Liverpool, missing several key players, managed to hold off City’s attack for much of the match, but their defense ultimately buckled under pressure in the second half.

City equalized in the 58th minute when Bunny Shaw headed home from close range, and despite Liverpool’s efforts to hold on, Shaw struck again in stoppage time, securing a dramatic win for Manchester City. Liverpool’s lack of attacking options was evident after Smith was forced off at the break, and the team struggled to maintain their counterattacks. This defeat marks another missed opportunity for Liverpool to secure their first Women’s Super League win at Anfield, and they will now look to regroup ahead of their next match against Crystal Palace.

Liverpool vs Tottenham (3-2)

Chelsea edged out Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates, continuing their perfect start to the Women’s Super League under new manager Sonia Bompastor. In attendance was Emma Hayes, former Chelsea coach and current head of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Early first-half goals from Mayra Ramírez and Sandy Baltimore gave Chelsea control, with Ramírez executing a stunning overhead finish and Baltimore heading in after a precise cross from Lauren James. Despite defensive issues, Arsenal pulled one back before halftime through Caitlin Foord, but Chelsea held firm against late pressure.

The result heaps further pressure on Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall, as his team has now won only one of their first four league games and recently suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Arsenal had their chances to equalize, with substitute Stina Blackstenius hitting the bar, but they couldn’t find a way past Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. After the game, Bompastor praised her team's first-half performance but acknowledged the challenge Arsenal posed in the second. Chelsea’s 100% league record under her remains intact.

WSL Standings

Chawinga Makes History

Temwa Chawinga made history by breaking the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) single-season scoring record with her 19th goal during Kansas City Current's win over Bay FC on Saturday. Chawinga's stunning long-range strike in the 35th minute surpassed the previous record of 18 goals, set by Sam Kerr with the Chicago Red Stars in 2019. This achievement highlights Chawinga's incredible impact in her debut NWSL season after moving from the Chinese Women's Super League.

Chawinga, a Malawi international, reached this milestone in her 24th game, while Kerr's 18 goals came in 21 matches. Notably, neither player scored from the penalty spot. Although Kerr remains the league's all-time top scorer with 77 regular-season goals, Chawinga's record-breaking performance solidifies her status as one of the league's top talents in her inaugural season.

More Waves Being Made in San Diego

Five former employees of San Diego Wave have filed a lawsuit against the club and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), alleging discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment. The lawsuit, filed in San Diego Superior Court, seeks compensatory damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages.

The plaintiffs—Brittany Alvarado, Kristina Perez, Victoria Diaz, Abigail Lozano, and an unnamed individual, referred to as Jane Doe—claim the club, under the leadership of Jill Ellis (who is not named as a defendant but mentioned extensively), fostered an abusive work environment. Alvarado first raised concerns in July 2024, accusing the Wave of a hostile work environment, which the club swiftly denied. Ellis has since filed a defamation suit against Alvarado, which remains ongoing.

Among the claims is Jane Doe’s account of being sexually assaulted by a coworker during her time at the club. Despite reporting the trauma, Doe alleges she was placed on leave and later terminated. She also criticized the NWSL's response to her report, which she says failed to address the issue adequately due to her use of the term "assault" instead of "sexual assault."

The complaint also highlights two separate NWSL investigations into the Wave, neither of which led to action against the club. The NWSL has faced scrutiny in recent years due to reports of systemic abuse, prompting reforms aimed at improving player and staff safety. Amid the lawsuit, the Wave quietly closed a $120 million sale, according to reports.

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