🎉 Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip! ⚽️

Thrills and drama in the Women’s Super League this week! Tottenham edged out Crystal Palace in a 3-2 nail-biter, Chelsea secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Arsenal, and Manchester United cruised past Brighton with a commanding 3-0 win. As the league standings heat up, the title race is shaping up to be one for the ages. Off the pitch, the NWSL is making waves with an inclusive transgender policy, bold expansion plans, and key updates from Commissioner Jessica Berman.

In exciting news for our readers, we’re launching our first-ever internship program! If you’re passionate about women’s soccer and want to help shape its future, we’d love to hear from you. Applications are open until February 10th—don’t miss this chance to be part of the journey!

What's in store this week:

• WSL: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace (3-2)

• WSL: Chelsea vs Arsenal 🟥 (1-0)

• WSL: Manchester United vs Brighton (3-0)

• WSL: Where We Stand Today

• News: Inside The NWSL's Inclusive Transgender Policy

• News: Expansion, Scheduling, and Other Updates from Commissioner Berman

• GG: The Launch of Our First Ever Internship Program!

Tottenham vs
Crystal Palace (3-2)

Tottenham Hotspur edged out Crystal Palace 3-2 in a dramatic WSL clash, with debutant Olivia Holdt scoring a stunning stoppage-time free-kick to seal the victory. Spurs initially dominated, going 2-0 up in the first half with two headers from captain Bethany England, but Crystal Palace mounted an impressive comeback in the second half with goals from Katie Stengel and Ashleigh Weerden. Just as the game seemed destined for a draw, Holdt delivered a moment of magic from the edge of the box to secure the three points for Tottenham.

The win keeps Spurs sixth in the table, level on points with Brighton, while Crystal Palace remains rooted at the bottom. England's standout performance, with two well-taken goals, underscored her importance to Tottenham’s attack, though defensive lapses nearly cost them the game. Spurs now look ahead to hosting Manchester United, while Palace faces a crucial survival battle against Brighton.

Chelsea vs
Arsenal 🟥 (1-0)

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the WSL with a dramatic 1-0 win over Arsenal, courtesy of a late penalty from Guro Reiten. The Norwegian midfielder converted from the spot in the 84th minute after Lauren James was brought down in the box, sealing an important three points in front of a record crowd at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal's Katie McCabe was sent off for dissent following the penalty decision, leaving the Gunners to finish the match with ten players.

The game was tightly contested, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to convert for much of the match. Chelsea dominated early exchanges, with Catarina Macario and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd threatening, while Arsenal came close through Alessia Russo and Beth Mead. Despite Arsenal's second-half efforts, including a near-miss from Frida Maanum, Chelsea’s defensive resilience, led by Player of the Match Millie Bright, kept them at bay. Reiten’s decisive penalty ensured Chelsea maintained their impressive run of form, moving nine points clear at the top, while Arsenal remain in the race for a top-three finish.

Manchester United vs
Brighton (3-0)

Manchester United secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the WSL at Leigh Sports Village. Ella Toone opened the scoring just two minutes in with a curling shot past former United goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley. Hinata Miyazawa doubled the lead shortly after with a powerful strike following a clever free-kick routine. Celin Bizet added the final touch of brilliance in the second half, scoring with a long-range rocket that sealed the win for Marc Skinner's side.

United dominated the match, creating several chances while keeping Brighton at bay with a disciplined defensive display. Brighton struggled to convert their possession into meaningful opportunities, and United's early goals effectively controlled the game’s tempo. The win marks United’s third victory in four matches to start the calendar year, keeping them on track for a strong WSL campaign.

WSL Standings

Things are shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle! Chelsea is in cruise control at the top with 34 points and an unstoppable 37 goals scored, leaving their rivals eating dust. Manchester United is hanging on in second place with 27 points, trying to keep pace with the runaway leaders. Manchester City and Arsenal are battling it out in a tight race for third and fourth, both pushing for Champions League dreams. Brighton and Tottenham are neck-and-neck in mid-table, sharing 17 points, while Liverpool, West Ham, and Aston Villa are in a dogfight to escape the lower half. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace is stuck in the basement with just 5 points, hoping for a miracle to climb out of trouble. The table is sizzling, and every match feels like a nail-biter!

The NWSL's Inclusive Transgender Policy
Amid FIFA and U.S. Soccer Silence

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has taken a progressive approach to transgender athlete participation, allowing players to compete if their testosterone levels are within typical ranges for women athletes. This policy contrasts with stricter regulations by organizations like World Aquatics and World Athletics, which generally bar transgender women from elite competition if they transitioned after puberty. The NWSL's stance aligns with inclusion-focused principles outlined in the International Olympic Committee’s framework, though it has faced criticism from some in the transgender community for relying on testosterone levels as a benchmark.

FIFA and U.S. Soccer, the governing bodies for soccer internationally and in the U.S., have yet to establish clear policies on transgender participation. FIFA promised to review its guidelines in 2022 but has provided no updates, while U.S. Soccer claims no awareness of relevant research on the issue. In this vacuum, the NWSL has maintained its inclusive stance, which allows transgender men and women to compete under specific conditions. However, critics, including non-binary players like Quinn, have called for changes, such as removing gendered terminology from the league’s name.

The NWSL's policy could face challenges if FIFA or U.S. Soccer eventually adopt stricter rules akin to those of World Aquatics. Such developments would force the NWSL to comply due to its affiliation with U.S. Soccer and FIFA. For now, the league’s policy remains unchanged, reflecting its commitment to inclusion and its independence in navigating this complex and evolving issue within professional soccer. However, the lack of clear global guidelines leaves the potential for future conflict and uncertainty.

Click here to read more about the history of gender verification in sports

Expansion, Scheduling, and Infrastructure Updates from Commissioner Berman

During the NWSL's inaugural media day, Commissioner Jessica Berman highlighted the league's commitment to growth, with expansion taking center stage. While Boston’s inclusion as a 2026 expansion team was already confirmed, Berman revealed Denver would join as well, edging out competing bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati. The commissioner emphasized the importance of ownership, infrastructure, and strategic planning in the league's expansion process. While no timeline was provided for further additions, Berman made it clear that the league's growth beyond 16 teams is part of its long-term vision.

Berman also addressed the league's ongoing scheduling challenges, which stem from the reliance on shared venues with other sports teams. Despite improved resources and planning, the commissioner acknowledged that accommodating the demands of media partners, commercial goals, and ticket sales adds complexity. Venue control remains a pressing concern, as shared facilities often lead to scheduling conflicts, pitch quality issues, and limited revenue streams. Berman pointed to Kansas City’s purpose-built stadium as a model for other teams and noted progress in infrastructure development, with Angel City FC recently unveiling its new training center.

Infrastructure remains a vital focus for the league, with Berman stressing the need for clubs to gain more control over their facilities to support scheduling flexibility and financial growth. While several teams are making strides in training and stadium development, the commissioner underscored that much work remains. By prioritizing ownership and infrastructure in expansion decisions and emphasizing storytelling to elevate players as stars, Berman envisions the NWSL as a league poised for continued growth and success.

Exciting News:
Join the Goalside Gossip Team!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our first-ever internship program! 🎉 If you’re passionate about women’s soccer, love storytelling, and want a hands-on way to celebrate the beautiful game, this is your chance.

We’re looking for individuals in these cities to represent Goalside Gossip:

• New York/New Jersey (Gotham FC)

• DC Metro Area (Washington Spirit)

• Portland, OR (Portland Thorns)

• San Diego, CA (San Diego Wave)

• San Francisco/San Jose (Bay FC)

• Seattle Area (Seattle Reign)

As an intern, you’ll attend NWSL matches as a media representative, create engaging content, and connect with fans, players, and the women’s soccer community. It’s more than an internship—it’s a chance to be part of the movement pushing women’s soccer forward.

Head over to our internship page for more information about the program and details on how to apply. Applications are open until February 10th, so don’t miss out!