Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip

Week 11 delivered chaos, comebacks, and contenders — and we’re here to unpack it all. Kansas City flexed their top-of-the-table muscle with a gritty win over Gotham, Riley Tiernan’s breakout season continued in a dramatic Angel City-Chicago draw, and Seattle reminded San Diego that no streak is safe. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville edged Utah in a five-goal thriller that may have broken the Royals’ spirit (again).

Off the field, our MVP Tracker dropped — and it’s already sparking debate. Plus, Mia Fishel might be NWSL-bound again. Let’s get into the mayhem. 👇

• NWSL: Racing Louisville vs Utah Royals 🟥 (3-2)

• NWSL: SD Wave vs Seattle Reign (1-2)

• NWSL: Gotham FC vs KC Current (1-2)

• NWSL: Angel City vs Chicago Stars (2-2)

• NWSL: Washington Spirit vs NC Courage (3-1)

• News: Mia Fishel Eyeing Potential NWSL Return

• News: Goalside Gossip’s MVP Tracker So Far

Racing Louisville vs
Utah Royals 🟥 (3-2)

The Utah Royals suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to Racing Louisville FC on Friday, despite a strong start and an aggressive first-half showing. Brecken Mozingo opened the scoring in the third minute, but Louisville quickly responded with two goals before Bianca St-Georges equalized for Utah just before halftime. The Royals held the advantage in possession and chances going into the break, but couldn’t maintain that momentum.

The match shifted dramatically in the second half when Utah's Ana Tejada received a second yellow card in the 73rd minute, reducing the Royals to 10 players. Louisville capitalized on the advantage, bombarding Utah’s defense with shots before Sarah Weber netted the winner in the 85th minute — her first NWSL goal. With this result, the Royals' winless streak extends to six games, and they remain without a road victory this season.

SD Wave vs
Seattle Reign (1-2)

San Diego Wave FC saw its six-match unbeaten streak come to an end with a 2-1 home loss to Seattle Reign FC on Friday night. After a tightly contested first half, Seattle opened the scoring in the 67th minute with a stunning long-range strike from Sally Menti. San Diego responded ten minutes later as Delphine Cascarino headed in a pinpoint corner from María Sánchez to equalize. Cascarino nearly gave the Wave the lead just two minutes later, but Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey deflected her rocket off the crossbar.

With the game hanging in the balance, Seattle rookie Emeri Adames delivered the decisive blow in the 87th minute, finishing off a counterattack to hand San Diego just their third loss of the season. Despite dominating possession (63%) and outshooting Seattle, the Wave couldn't find a way back. Cascarino’s goal was her third of the season, tying her for the team lead, while Sánchez picked up her second assist.

Gotham FC vs
KC Current (1-2)

Rose Lavelle made her long-awaited return from ankle surgery for Gotham, but her presence wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-1 loss to the league-leading KCCurrent. Kansas City struck early, with Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper each scoring and assisting on the other’s goal within the first 11 minutes. Gotham had two second-half goals disallowed—one from Esther González after a controversial VAR decision, and another from Emily Sonnett that went wide—before Lavelle’s entrance in the 74th minute gave the crowd a spark.

Lavelle’s return was a bright spot, and her late-game pressure contributed to a stoppage-time own goal by Vanessa DiBernardo, but Gotham couldn’t complete the comeback. The match was marred by officiating confusion, particularly around the disallowed González goal, which left head coach Juan Carlos Amorós frustrated.

Angel City vs
Chicago Stars (2-2)

Angel City FC battled to a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Stars in a dramatic back-and-forth match at BMO Stadium. Midfielder Kennedy Fuller opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a composed finish off a well-worked team move, but Chicago responded in the second half. Nádia Gomes' cross deflected off M.A. Vignola for an own goal in the 58th minute, and Ally Schlegel gave the Stars the lead eight minutes later with a long-range strike following a midfield turnover.

Angel City pressed for the equalizer and nearly found it when Vignola hit the crossbar in the 77th minute. She redeemed herself just three minutes later, capitalizing on a deflection to blast home the equalizer in the 80th. Both sides had chances to steal all three points, including a last-gasp shot by Chicago that struck the post, but the match ended level. Angel City will stay home to face the North Carolina Courage on June 14.

Washington Spirit vs
NC Courage (3-1)

Back at Audi Field in front of a raucous crowd of 17,625, the Washington Spirit put on a show, dismantling the NC Courage 3-1 with an early offensive blitz and a resilient second-half push. Brittany Ratcliffe was electric from the jump, tallying a goal and an assist within a four-minute stretch to help the Spirit storm to a 2-0 lead. Courtney Brown’s tidy finish in the 24th minute — her second career goal — set the tone, and Ratcliffe’s header moments later made it clear the Spirit were out for blood. Though North Carolina pulled one back through Manaka Matsukubo, they never fully recovered.

Washington’s intensity didn’t fade after the break. Gift Monday — who’s quickly cementing her place as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards — buried her fourth goal of the season in the 58th minute off a tasty cross from Narumi Miura. The win moves Washington into a tie for second place and keeps their perfect road record intact heading into a high-stakes clash at Portland next week.

Where We Stand So Far

Fishel Eyeing Potential
NWSL Return

USWNT forward Mia Fishel is reportedly eyeing a return to the NWSL this summer, with multiple clubs in talks to sign the 24-year-old from Chelsea. After tearing her ACL in February while preparing for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, Fishel made her return to action this spring and recently joined the USWNT U-23 camp during the international break. With Chelsea already boasting a crowded attack — including Catarina Macario, Mayra Ramirez, and the recovering Sam Kerr — a move stateside could provide Fishel more consistent minutes and boost her chances of making the 2027 World Cup roster.

Fishel originally turned down an NWSL contract with the Orlando Pride in 2023 to sign with Tigres in Mexico, where she won the Apertura Golden Boot and league title. Chelsea later acquired her for a $250,000 fee. Now, after wrapping up a title-winning WSL season, a summer transfer to the U.S. could offer a fresh start and center her as a key attacking figure in the NWSL, with a potential debut timeline set for August following the league’s June break.

Goalside Gossip’s
MVP Tracker

🏆 NWSL MVP Tracker 2.0: Summer Sizzle, Superstar Showdown 🔥
We’re 10 rounds into the NWSL season and the MVP race is heating up. From breakout rookies to international icons, this list is stacked with game-changers making their case for the league’s top honor. Here’s where things stand in the chase for 2025 MVP — complete with dazzling stats, storylines, and the chaos you’d expect in this league.

🥇 1. Debinha (Kansas City Current, 33, F/M)

Status: Injured but elite
She’s only missed one match so far, and despite the knock, Debinha still leads the league in chances created. Her 2018-level playmaking has been dazzling, pulling strings in midfield and powering KC to the top. If she returns strong post-break, she's still the favorite.

🥈 2. Delphine Cascarino (San Diego Wave, 28, F)

Status: Magic maker
San Diego’s sparkplug leads the league in assists and is a walking highlight reel. Cascarino’s technical brilliance and flair on the wing have made the Wave a must-watch — and vaulted her into MVP contention.

🥉 3. Alyssa Thompson (Angel City, 20, F)

Status: Creator supreme
Second in the league in chances created and dazzling 1-v-1 skill? Yeah, Thompson's the real deal. She might not be her team’s top scorer, but she is its engine. The best American forward in the league right now.

🔥 4. Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current, 26, F)

Status: Heating up
Last year’s MVP is back in form with six goals and scoring in three straight. She might be slightly behind her 2024 pace, but her ability to flip a match on its head is unmatched.

⚡ 5. Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, 25, F)

Status: Must-watch mode
Fastest hat trick in NWSL history? Check. Banda is tied for the league lead in goals and could easily enter another head-to-head Golden Boot battle. She’s pure chaos for defenders.

💪 6. Esther González (Gotham FC, 32, F)

Status: Do-everything forward
Seven goals and the hero of Gotham’s Concacaf title win. Her MVP push has cooled slightly, but without her, Gotham would be in real trouble.

🎨 7. Kenza Dali (San Diego Wave, 33, M)

Status: Midfield maestro
Tied for most goal-creating actions in the league, Dali is the backbone of San Diego’s possession-dominant style. She’s the quiet storm of this list — but just as dangerous.

🧱 8. Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign, 25, GK)

Status: Wall status: activated
Leading the league in post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed (that’s goalkeeper-speak for “elite shot-stopper”). Seattle’s slim margins rely heavily on her gloves — and she just got her first USWNT call-up.

🚨 9. Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit, 30, F)

Status: Vintage form
Six goals and third in expected goals? The 2017 Golden Boot winner is back, anchoring an injury-riddled Spirit squad and carrying their attack.

🛡️ 10. Kayla Sharples (Kansas City Current, 27, D)

Status: Defensive rock
KC’s defensive resurgence is in large part thanks to Sharples, who’s been shutting down stars like Banda. With Alana Cook out, she’s the anchor now — and thriving.

🔁 11. Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns, 26, M)

Status: Midfield glue
Quietly elite. Fifth in the league in both ball recoveries and chances created — from a deep-lying role. Every team needs a Sam Coffey. Portland is lucky to have her.

🌟 12. Riley Tiernan (Angel City, 22, F)

Status: Breakout star
From non-roster invitee to top-three in scoring — Tiernan is living the dream. Her goals are getting more polished, and with Emma Hayes watching, her national team future looks bright.

👀 On the Bubble:

Gisele Thompson (Angel City), Marta (Orlando), Lorena (KC), Gift Monday (Washington), Taylor Flint (Louisville), Savannah McCaskill (San Diego), Olivia Moultrie (Portland)

📈 Stay tuned. With the league heating up and the international break looming, this race is only getting wilder.