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Welcome to this week’s Goalside Gossip — your cheat sheet for a wild week in women’s soccer, where legends were made and late drama stole the show.

The Thorns scorched Houston, the Courage shut it down at home, and Washington-turned-wild as Krueger played hero in the 102nd. Over in Orlando, KC edged out a gritty 1-0 win, while Chelsea put the cup in FA Cup with a clean 3-0 sweep of Manchester United.

Off the pitch? Savy King is officially home from the hospital, OL Lyon dropped the “feminine” and picked up the power, and the USWNT debuted sleek new kits ahead of the summer. Oh — and the next wave of stars is rising: the U-20 roster just dropped. Let’s get into it. 👇

• NWSL: Orlando Pride vs KC Current (0-1)

• NWSL: Houston Dash vs Portland Thorns (1-4)

• NWSL (GG Live): Washington Spirit vs Utah Royals (3-3)

• NWSL: NC Courage vs Chicago Stars (2-0)

• FA Cup (GG Live): Chelsea vs Man Utd (3-0)

• News: Savy King Released From Hospital

• News: OL Lyonnes’s New Rebrand

• News: USWNT Unveils New Kits

• News: U-20 Women's National Team Roster Announced

Orlando Pride vs
KC Current (0-1)

The Orlando Pride fell 1-0 at home to the Kansas City Current, ending their three-game unbeaten streak against the league leaders. Temwa Chawinga netted the game’s lone goal in the 56th minute after capitalizing on a deflection, sealing KC’s seventh win of the season. Despite the loss, the night marked a milestone for Marta, who became just the 16th player in NWSL history to reach 10,000 regular-season minutes with one club.

Houston Dash vs
Portland Thorns (1-4)

The Portland Thorns continued their hot streak with a dominant 4-1 win over the Houston Dash, extending their unbeaten run to five matches and showcasing standout performances from several rookies. Pietra Tordin scored her first pro goal in her first start, while Payton Linnehan, Sam Coffey, and Caiya Hanks added to the tally—Coffey recording her first NWSL goal and assist in the same match. With 11 different goal scorers this season (three of them rookies), the Thorns now lead the league in scoring diversity and head into their upcoming Concacaf W Champions Cup semifinal against Tigres UANL full of confidence.

Washington Spirit vs
Utah Royals (3-3)

The Washington Spirit pulled off a dramatic 3-3 draw against the Utah Royals thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer from Casey Krueger in the 102nd minute at Audi Field. In a wild first half, both teams traded blows with goals from Brecken Mozingo, Ashley Hatch, Meg Boade, Cece Kizer, and an unfortunate own goal by Spirit defender Rebeca Bernal giving Utah a 3-2 halftime lead. Despite a heroic nine-save performance from Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn—including a late penalty stop on Hatch—Krueger’s last-gasp header salvaged a point in front of over 15,000 fans.

Brian was on the ground for us—read his full breakdown as our matchday analyst here.

NC Courage vs
Chicago Stars (2-0)

The North Carolina Courage earned a 2-0 win over the Chicago Stars behind a second-half brace from Manaka Matsukubo, extending their unbeaten run to four matches. Matsukubo struck in the 51st and 77th minutes—her first goals of the season—assisted by Denise O’Sullivan and rookie Shinomi Koyama, who notched her first NWSL point. With strong goalkeeping from Casey Murphy and a season-high home crowd of 8,592, the Courage now sit on 12 points and prepare for a three-game road trip beginning with San Diego on May 25.

FA Cup: Chelsea
vs Man Utd (3-0)

Sonia Bompastor capped off her debut season at Chelsea with a historic domestic treble, sealed by a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Wembley. Chelsea became the first English side to complete an invincible 22-game season while winning the treble—a feat unmatched in the league's history. The final began as a tight contest, with United holding firm in both defense and attack early on. Chances from Aggie Beever-Jones and Dominique Janssen hinted at a breakthrough, but the deadlock held until a penalty just before halftime, calmly dispatched by Sandy Baltimore after Celin Bizet brought down Erin Cuthbert in the box.

Manchester United pushed for a response in the second half, bringing on Ella Toone to spark the attack, but Chelsea's depth and dominance ultimately took over. Substitute Catarina Macario made it 2-0 with a powerful header in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a lapse in United's backline. Baltimore then added her second of the day to secure her brace and Chelsea’s treble, capping a dream campaign for the new manager and confirming the Blues’ place in English football lore. Watch highlights here.

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Savy King Is Home

Angel City FC defender Savy King is back home after a harrowing week in the hospital. She collapsed on the field during a match against the Utah Royals on May 9 and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai, where doctors discovered a heart abnormality that required surgery. The operation was successful, and King is now resting and recovering with her family. Her return home is a major relief for teammates and fans alike, who flooded social media with messages of support and concern.

But the league’s decision to resume play after King was taken to the hospital didn’t sit right with many. Players from both teams struggled to stay mentally in the game, and Utah’s head coach, Jimmy Coenraets, called it “a really tough moment.” The NWSL Players Association quickly released a statement demanding urgent revisions to matchday safety protocols. Commissioner Jessica Berman promised a league-wide review—but players are pushing for more than promises. This wasn’t just a medical scare—it’s a wake-up call about what really matters on matchday: people over play.

OL Lyonnes: New Name,
Bigger Game

Say hello to OL Lyonnes—the latest identity of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, the most decorated team in women’s club football. The rebrand comes with a lioness-themed logo and a bold new look that leans into legacy, strength, and hometown pride. Starting next season, the team will play all home matches at the 59,000-seat Groupama Stadium, previously reserved for the men’s team. The move is both symbolic and strategic—a declaration that women’s football deserves the same stage and spotlight.

Backing the name change is a major investment from owner Michele Kang, who is funding a world-class training facility that’s expected to rival even top-tier men’s clubs. The new complex will include a statue of longtime captain Wendie Renard, whose dominance and leadership have defined the team’s era. Coming off a title-clinching 3-0 win against PSG—marking their 18th domestic championship—OL Lyonnes isn’t just changing names. They’re setting a new bar for what ambition looks like in the women’s game.

USWNT Unveils 2025 Kits

The USWNT is stepping into 2025 in style with the debut of their new “Brilliant Kit,” a clean white jersey paired with royal blue shorts that nods to their 1985 debut and early USMNT looks from the ‘90s. It’s a tribute to the team’s legacy—but also a reminder of how far they’ve come in the fight for equality, visibility, and dominance on the world stage. The USMNT, meanwhile, will unveil their “Heartbeat Kit” on June 7 against Turkey: navy with royal vertical stripes, a sleek homage to the fans who’ve kept the sport thriving stateside.

Both teams will wear the Heartbeat Kit through the rest of 2025, and fans can get their hands on the full line—including the beautiful anthem jackets and pre-match tops—starting May 22. With a blend of vintage touches and streetwear edge, the kits reflect where soccer culture is heading: more inclusive, more expressive, and more connected to its roots. U.S. Soccer didn’t just roll out new uniforms—they delivered a statement piece.

U-20 Women's National
Team Roster

This diverse squad features a blend of collegiate standouts and rising professional talents, reflecting the depth of the U.S. women's soccer development pipeline. Notably, players like Kennedy Fuller and Chloe Ricketts bring NWSL experience to the team, while collegiate athletes such as Peyton McGovern and Linda Ullmark have made significant impacts at their respective universities. The inclusion of unattached player Ashlyn Puerta highlights the team's commitment to scouting talent across various platforms.

The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, with the top four teams securing spots in the expanded 24-nation field. Under the guidance of head coach Vicky Jepson, the U.S. team aims to continue its tradition of excellence on the international stage.

Here’s the full team:

• 🧤 Goalkeepers: Caroline Birkel – Stanford University, Sonoma Kasica – University of Notre Dame, Kealey Titmuss – Penn State University

• 🛡️ Defenders: Aven Alvarez – University of North Carolina, Bella Ayscue – Penn State University, Edra Bello – San Diego Surf FC, Emma Johnson – Lexington Sporting Club, Abby Mills – University of Notre Dame, Leena Powell – Tudela FC, Katie Scott – Kansas City Current (NWSL)

• ⚙️ Midfielders: Kennedy Fuller – Angel City FC (NWSL), Peyton McGovern – Florida State University, Ashlyn Puerta – Unattached, Grace Restovich – University of Notre Dame, Kennedy Ring – World Class FC, Linda Ullmark – University of North Carolina

• 🎯 Forwards: Izzy Engle – University of Notre Dame, Mary Long – Kansas City Current (NWSL), Chloe Ricketts – Washington Spirit (NWSL), Sealey Strawn – Dallas Trinity FC, Mya Townes – University of Georgia