Welcome back to another edition of Goalside Gossip, your go-to source for all things women’s soccer! This week, we’re celebrating Kelley O’Hara’s incredible career as Gotham FC gave her a star-studded farewell during their final regular season home game. We’re also diving into Emma Hayes’ newly announced USWNT roster, featuring six exciting uncapped players ready to make their mark. Plus, we’ve got all the drama from the NWSL, including Orlando Pride’s shocking second straight loss and Washington Spirit’s high spirits as they head into the playoffs.

What's in store this week:

• 🫢 NWSL: High Spirits in Washington

• 😮 NWSL: Orlando Lose Second Straight

• 🙏 NWSL: Thank You, Kelly O’Hara!

• 🌟 WSL: City and Chelsea remain ahead

• ✨ Looking Back: Did SD Wave make the right decision?

• 🏳️‍🌈 Drama: BOS Nation ad sparks outrage in LGBTQ+ Community

• 🇺🇸 USWNT: Emma Hayes’ new star-studded 26-player roster

NWSL Matchday 25

Washington Spirit 🟥 vs
Chicago Red Stars 🟥 (2-0)

The Washington Spirit secured a crucial win over the Chicago Red Stars at Audi Field in front of 17,065 fans, the fifth-largest crowd in the club’s history. We were there live to witness Heather Stainbrook score her first NWSL goal in the 31st minute, giving the Spirit an early lead. Makenna Morris sealed the victory with an 83rd-minute goal, tying her for the most goals by a rookie this season. Washington’s high-press strategy overwhelmed Chicago, with Alyssa Naeher making 10 saves to keep the scoreline respectable. The Spirit maintained control throughout, preventing Chicago from mounting any serious threat as Aubrey Kingsbury earned her sixth clean sheet of the season.

The match took a heated turn in the 70th minute when an altercation between Rosemonde Kouassi and Chicago’s Ludmila escalated. After a physical exchange, reportedly involving Ludmila pulling Kouassi’s hair, both players were ejected following a VAR review. Despite being reduced to 10 players, Washington kept its composure. Trinity Rodman’s impact off the bench helped the Spirit regain control, leading to Morris’s late goal. The win solidifies Washington's push for a home semifinal playoff spot, with one match remaining against the NC Courage on November 2.

Gotham FC vs Orlando Pride (3-1)

Gotham FC delivered a statement win in their final regular-season home game, defeating Shield winners Orlando Pride 3-1 at Red Bull Arena. Sam Hiatt got things started in the 13th minute with a scrappy corner kick goal—though even after replays, it’s still unclear if she or Ella Stevens had the final touch. Rose Lavelle added a crucial strike just before halftime, and Stevens secured the win early in the second half. Despite Orlando’s Adriana converting a penalty in the 31st minute, Gotham’s defense, led by Hiatt and a rock-solid Ann-Katrin Berger, kept the Pride from finding any rhythm.

This win not only extends Gotham’s unbeaten streak to 11 games, but it also hands Orlando their second straight loss, proving even the league’s best team is beatable. Gotham’s relentless pressing and sharp counterattacks were too much for the visitors, despite Orlando holding 55% possession. Now, Gotham heads into their final match against Kansas City with playoff positioning at stake, aiming to lock down a top-two seed and home-field advantage.

Thank You, Kelly O’Hara!

NJ/NY Gotham FC made sure Kelley O’Hara’s farewell was nothing short of unforgettable during their final regular season home game. Though O’Hara’s career ended earlier than planned due to a knee injury, the team, along with some of soccer’s biggest stars—and even Hollywood names like Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl and YOU—gave her the sendoff she deserved. After their gritty 3-1 win over Orlando Pride, O’Hara spoke from the heart to a crowd of 10,757 fans, including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Ali Krieger, sharing how the game and the relationships she built over 15 seasons have been her greatest joy.

Even after stepping off the pitch, O’Hara’s impact has been felt within Gotham’s locker room, where her leadership and positive energy continue to inspire her teammates. Teammate Ella Stevens highlighted how O’Hara welcomed her with open arms, calling her a true leader both on and off the field. With stars like Badgley, Rapinoe, and O’Hara’s fellow champions in attendance, the U.S. Women’s National Team will continue the celebrations, honoring O’Hara during their October 27 match against Iceland, giving her one last well-deserved celebration for an incredible career.

NWSL Standings

Here’s where things stand headed into the final weekend of the NWSL regular season:

• IN: Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, Gotham FC, KC Current, NC Courage, & Chicago Red Stars

• VERY CLOSE: Portland Thorns & Bay FC

• MAY SQUEEZE IN: Racing Louisville

• NADA: Utah Royals, Angel City, Wave, Houston Dash and Seattle Reign

WSL Matchday 4

Man City vs Aston Villa (2-1)

Manchester City fought back to defeat Aston Villa 2-1, reclaiming the top spot. After Gabi Nunes put Villa ahead in the 20th minute, City mounted a comeback with Lauren Hemp scoring a clever equalizer in the 62nd minute. Hemp then assisted Jill Roord eight minutes later, who netted her first goal after returning from an ACL injury, securing the win for City. This victory was significant as it marked City's first home comeback win since last December, coincidentally also against Villa.

Chelsea vs Tottenham (5-2)

Chelsea defeated Tottenham 5-2 in a WSL London derby at Kingsmeadow, with a controversial "ghost goal" marking the match's early stages. Chelsea took an initial lead through Maika Hamano, but Amanda Nilden's cross was fumbled by Hannah Hampton and ruled to have crossed the goal line, despite protests from Hampton and later analysis suggesting uncertainty over the decision. Chelsea quickly regained control, aided by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's standout performance, scoring twice, including a stunning volley. Goals from Sandy Baltimore and Eveliina Summanen added to the excitement, but Chelsea's dominance sealed a comprehensive victory.

WSL Standings

A Critical View of the Wave

San Diego Wave's decision to fire coach Casey Stoney midseason may have backfired, as the team failed to secure a playoff spot in the NWSL. Following a four-month winless streak, the Wave ended their season with a 4-1 loss to Kansas City Current, finishing with a 5-13-7 record. Despite the expanded playoff format, the Wave’s poor form left them far from contention, as no team winning just one in five matches deserved a postseason berth.

Stoney's dismissal in June, when the team was one point from a playoff spot, didn’t yield the desired results. Interim coaches Paul Buckle and Landon Donovan increased the team’s attacking style, but defensive issues worsened, and the offense remained underwhelming. The Wave’s post-Stoney record—seven points in 11 matches—proved insufficient, keeping them out of the playoffs, marking a stark contrast to last season’s rally to the regular-season title under Stoney.

Alex Morgan’s struggles mirrored the team’s decline, as she failed to score in 13 matches and retired in September. New arrivals Savannah McCaskill and María Sánchez also underperformed, but France's Delphine Cascarino provided a bright spot with her skillful play late in the season. Despite these challenges, the Wave will look to bounce back in 2025, hoping to build on moments like Cascarino’s late goal against Kansas City.

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“Too Many Balls” had
“Too Little Foresight”

Boston's new NWSL team, BOS Nation Football Club, faced backlash after unveiling its name and a controversial ad campaign titled "Too Many Balls." The campaign, designed to highlight Boston’s sports heritage, featured references to various types of "balls" and prominently showcased male-dominated teams like the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics. This sparked criticism for its focus on male athletes during a women's soccer team launch, with many fans and social media users questioning why men were the focal point. Some also labeled the campaign transphobic for its implication that "balls" are exclusively male, alienating the LGBTQ+ community.

In response to the criticism, BOS Nation FC issued an apology, acknowledging that the campaign "missed the mark" and did not reflect the inclusive environment the team strives to create. They apologized specifically to the LGBTQ+ and trans communities, committing to uphold the unifying values of the NWSL, which is known for its progressiveness. The club emphasized that it would learn from this mistake and thanked fans for holding them accountable.

BOS Nation is led by an all-female ownership group, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, which includes Jennifer Epstein (not related to the other Epsteins). The ownership group originally intended the campaign to celebrate Boston’s sports culture in a playful way, but the backlash highlighted the need for more thoughtful marketing of women's sports. As the team prepares for its debut in 2026, they are focused on rebuilding trust and ensuring their brand better reflects the values of inclusion and empowerment central to the NWSL.

Six Uncapped Players on
Hayes’ USWNT Roster

Emma Hayes has called up six uncapped players to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for their upcoming matches against Iceland and Argentina, marking a potential turning point for these rising stars. Among them are Alyssa Malonson, Yazmeen Ryan, and Emma Sears, all eager to make their national team debut. Malonson has been a standout defender for Bay FC this season, while Ryan is fresh off helping Gotham FC secure their championship run. Sears, a new face in both the NWSL and the national team, has already caught attention with her goal-scoring prowess at Racing Louisville.

Familiar names like Emily Sams and Hal Hershfelt are still chasing their first cap after serving as alternates on the gold medal-winning Olympic squad. Both have impressed in their club roles, with Sams anchoring Orlando Pride’s defense during a Shield-winning season. Eva Gaetino, rounding out the six, continues to develop her career at Paris Saint-Germain and will be hoping to capitalize on this second call-up to secure her place in the team’s future. As the U.S. takes its victory lap, these uncapped players are poised to make their mark on the world stage.

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