Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

The league had a little of everything. Gotham walked into San Diego and took all the points, North Carolina steadied themselves against Angel City, and Kansas City and Washington played the kind of tense draw that says more about playoff nerves than box scores. Utah kept climbing with a statement win over Houston, and Chicago and Portland traded blows without blinking.

Off the field the conversations were just as big. Jessica Berman put infrastructure at the top of the priority list as owners race to match the growth on the pitch. Alex Morgan brushed aside salary cap panic and reminded us why the NWSL is becoming a destination by choice, not by necessity. And in D.C., Trinity Rodman’s return felt like a spark for a team that still has its eyes on silver. Most important of all, we are sending love to Savannah DeMelo as she continues to recover ❤️.

This week:

• NWSL: SD Wave vs Gotham FC (0-2)

• NWSL: NC Courage vs Angel City (2-1)

• NWSL: Utah Royals vs Houston Dash (2-0)

• NWSL: KC Current vs Washington Spirit 🟥 (0-0)

• NWSL: Chicago Stars vs Portland Thorns (1-1)

• News: Berman Emphasizes Need for Investment

• News: Alex Morgan Not Worried About NWSL Salary Cap

• News: Rodman’s Comeback Fuels Spirit’s Title Push

• News: DeMelo Remains in Hospital, Condition Stable

SD Wave vs
Gotham FC (0-2)

San Diego Wave FC fell 2-0 to Gotham, with goals from Esther González just before halftime and Jaedyn Shaw’s diving header in the 79th minute sealing the result. Despite controlling 61% of possession and outshooting Gotham 15–12, the Wave couldn’t convert their chances, while goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan marked a milestone with her 600th career NWSL save. The night also featured Brazilian forward Dudinha’s first start, a community partnership with Triumph Together, and Kyra Carusa being honored as San Diego’s nominee for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award.

NC Courage vs
Angel City (2-1)

NC Courage earned a crucial 2-1 victory over Angel City, with Manaka Matsukubo scoring her team-leading sixth goal in the 6th minute and Brianna Pinto adding a second in the 19th, both involving strong play from newcomer Payton Linnehan, who recorded her first assist. Despite a late 88th-minute strike from Sveindis Jonsdottir, the Courage held firm to secure three points in the playoff race. The match also marked Kaleigh Kurtz’s record-setting 108th consecutive NWSL appearance and newcomer Heather MacNab’s professional debut, as North Carolina improved to 6-7-7 ahead of a road clash with Orlando Pride on Sept 19.

Utah Royals vs
Houston Dash (2-0)

The Utah Royals earned their third win of the season with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dash, powered by early goals from Kaleigh Riehl in the 5th minute and Paige Monaghan just before halftime. Riehl’s strike marked her first goal with Utah and first in over three years, while Monaghan’s long-range finish capped a dominant first half. The Royals continued to control play after the break, limiting Houston to just three off-target shots while generating consistent pressure of their own. Now 3-6-11, Utah has shown marked improvement since August with two wins and four draws in seven matches and will look to extend their strong run at home against Racing Louisville on Sep 19.

KC Current vs
Washington Spirit 🟥(0-0)

The Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit battled to a 0-0 draw at CPKC Stadium, a result that made Kansas City the fastest team in NWSL history to reach 50 points, doing so in just 20 matches. The Current recorded their 13th clean sheet of the season, tying the league record, while extending both their shutout streak to eight games and their home unbeaten run. Goalkeeper Lorena notched her league-best 11th shutout, and the defense held strong despite Washington generating pressure in the second half. The Spirit played the final 24 minutes with 10 players after Hal Hershfelt was sent off for a second yellow card in the 66th minute, but despite Kansas City’s late push—including multiple goal line clearances—the deadlock remained.

Chicago Stars vs
Portland Thorns (1-1)

The Portland Thorns drew 1-1 with the Chicago Stars, highlighted by Olivia Moultrie’s record-breaking free kick in the 13th minute that made her the all-time leading teenage scorer in NWSL history with 14 goals. Chicago equalized just before halftime through Bea Franklin, and despite both sides pushing for a winner in the second half—including a close call from Jameese Joseph off the crossbar and a late save from Mackenzie Arnold—the match ended level. The Thorns extended their unbeaten road streak in Chicago to four matches and now sit tied on 30 points in fourth place as they return home to face SD Wave on Sep 20.

Berman Emphasizes
Need for Investment

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized that the league’s rapid rise hinges on investment in infrastructure and long-term vision. Speaking in Raleigh ahead of the North Carolina Courage’s weekend match, Berman highlighted how ownership groups, sponsors, and media partners have begun applying strategies long used in men’s sports (like dedicated facilities and stadium deals) to accelerate the women’s game. With expansion clubs in Boston and Denver opening new stadiums in 2026, and Kansas City already boasting a soccer-specific venue, she stressed that other teams must follow suit to remain competitive both financially and athletically. For the Courage, whose current facility dates back to 2002, owner Steve Malik acknowledged the need for more capacity and amenities to keep pace with league growth and attract fans.

Berman underscored that infrastructure is the “number one most important building block” for success, particularly as the NWSL competes with European leagues for top global talent. The league has moved away from a draft model, with player movement now driven by record-breaking transfer fees such as Alyssa Thompson’s $1.45 million move to Chelsea and Jaedyn Shaw’s $1.25 million transfer to Gotham FC. While talent flows both ways with stars like Mia Fishel and Jacquie Ovalle choosing the NWSL, Berman insisted that the league’s competitiveness and parity are its strongest assets. She added that, by applying established best practices from men’s sports, the NWSL can close the gap quickly and achieve its goal of becoming the best women’s soccer league in the world.

Alex Morgan Not Worried
About NWSL Salary Cap

Alex Morgan, whose No. 13 jersey was retired by the San Diego Wave last weekend, believes the NWSL can continue to attract top global talent despite its salary cap structure. In an interview with ESPN, Morgan argued that the league’s competitiveness, growing investment in facilities, and the week-to-week quality of matches make it a desirable destination for both domestic and international players. While acknowledging that stars like Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma have recently moved overseas to Chelsea, she said the NWSL’s parity (where “the bottom team can beat the top team”) is unique and compelling for athletes seeking consistent challenges. Morgan contrasted the NWSL’s structure with her early career in the WPS, which operated without a salary cap but ultimately collapsed, suggesting that financial guardrails may actually strengthen the league long term.

The NWSL’s 2025 salary cap is set at $3.3 million, with gradual increases to $5.1 million by 2030 under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. Even within those limits, NWSL clubs have remained active in the transfer market, highlighted by Orlando Pride’s record $1.5 million signing of Lizbeth Ovalle and Angel City’s $1.45 million sale of Thompson to Chelsea. Morgan called the rise of seven-figure transfer fees “incredible,” noting it signals women’s soccer beginning to mirror the global business practices of men’s football. With transfers accelerating and academy development becoming increasingly important, she predicted even larger sums (upwards of $5 million) could soon be the norm. For Morgan, the NWSL’s combination of financial discipline, growing infrastructure, and on-field competitiveness ensures it will remain one of the most attractive leagues in the world.

Trin is Back and
Ready To Fuel Title Push

Trinity Rodman has made a triumphant return to the pitch for the Washington Spirit after being sidelined for nearly four months with her first major injury. The 23-year-old forward, already one of the NWSL’s brightest stars since debuting at age 18, marked her comeback in dramatic fashion by scoring a stoppage-time winner against the Portland Thorns in August. Rodman reflected on the emotional weight of that moment, saying just being back on the field, pain-free and having fun, was as meaningful as the goal itself. Her recovery demanded relentless dedication, with long days of therapy and workouts that pushed her limits, but the process ultimately deepened her resilience and reminded her of her love for the game. She admitted the journey surprised even those closest to her, proving her determination to return stronger than ever.

Off the field, Rodman is also expanding her impact through her partnership with EA Sports FC 26, where she debuts this year with an 85 rating among the league’s top players. She sees her presence in the game as a powerful way to connect with broader audiences, particularly fans who may encounter her first through video gaming rather than soccer. While she joked that her digital version might even outperform her real-life self, Rodman also noted the importance of recognition in such a global platform. Now, with the Spirit eyeing another title push after falling short in last year’s final, Rodman is determined to help lead the charge. She stressed the need for consistency and stronger mental resilience as keys to unlocking the team’s championship potential, saying that when fully connected, the Spirit “will be unstoppable.”

Savannah DeMelo Remains
Hospitalized, But is Stable

Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo remains hospitalized after collapsing during Sunday night’s match against the Seattle Reign. She was taken off the field by ambulance in the first half and is currently undergoing tests at a Seattle hospital. In a statement released Monday, DeMelo expressed gratitude for the quick actions of the medical staff, the support of her family, and the overwhelming encouragement from fans and teammates. She added that she’s eager to cheer on Louisville as they continue their season.

The incident led to the game being called off at halftime with the score tied 0–0. The NWSL announced the second half will be completed Tuesday at Lumen Field without fans, though it will air on NWSL+ and Paramount+. Louisville coach Bev Yanez, who came into this match with confidence, thanked the medical personnel, Seattle Reign, and the league for their swift response and support. DeMelo, 27, has previously dealt with health concerns linked to Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. A former USC standout and 2022 NWSL Draft fourth overall pick, she has become a key figure for Louisville, tallying 14 goals in 61 appearances and representing the U.S. at the 2023 World Cup.