Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip — where the table’s tightening, the saves are jaw-dropping, and the summer break hits just as things heat up.

Kansas City grinded out a 1-0 win to stay on top, Seattle lit up Utah with a four-goal rout, and the Courage flipped the script on Houston after a second-half red card. Gotham pulled off another home comeback, and while the Wave dominated possession, Aubrey Kingsbury and the Spirit defense stood tall to steal a point on the road.

Off the pitch, Orlando’s English core is building a legacy, the BWPC is doubling down on purpose, and Emma Hayes' latest USWNT roster blends breakout stars with long-awaited returns. But as the league pauses, the questions build: Can anyone catch KC? Will Orlando’s run hold? And which new faces will turn a national team camp into a permanent call-up? Let’s dive in.👇

• NWSL: KC Current vs Angel City FC (1-0)

• NWSL: Utah Royals vs Seattle Reign (1-4)

• NWSL: NC Courage vs Houston Dash 🟥 (2-1)

• NWSL: SD Wave vs Washington Spirit (0-0)

• NWSL: Gotham FC vs Bay FC (2-1)

• News: The Story of Orlando’s Rise

• News: BWPC Doubles Down: Juneteenth and the Fight for Equity in Soccer

• News: NWSL Talent Headlines USWNT Summer Roster

KC Current vs
Angel City FC (1-0)

The KC Current capped off the first half of the 2025 NWSL regular season with a gritty 1-0 win over Angel City at home, maintaining their position at the top of the league standings. Brazilian forward Bia Zaneratto delivered the game-winner in the 69th minute, finishing off a rebound after a breakaway attempt from Temwa Chawinga. Goalkeeper Lorena was a standout, making a dramatic full-extension penalty save against Alyssa Thompson in the second half—her first penalty save in the NWSL and a pivotal moment in securing the club’s sixth clean sheet of the season.

With the win, KC remains undefeated at home and extends their winning streak to six matches, just one shy of the franchise record. The match also marked milestones for Zaneratto, who notched her fifth goal of the season and reached 10 career NWSL goals, and for Michelle Cooper, who made her 50th league appearance. The Current will now enter a league break and shift focus to hosting the inaugural Teal Rising Cup in July, featuring top competition from both the NWSL and Brazil’s Serie A1.

Utah Royals vs
Seattle Reign (1-4)

Seattle Reign FC closed out their road trip with an emphatic 4-1 win over the Utah Royals, powered by a standout performance from Ji So-Yun and a second-half brace from 19-year-old Emeri Adames. Ji opened the scoring and assisted on two more, while Adames sealed the victory with a composed finish and a stoppage-time penalty. Maddie Dahlien also added a first-half goal, and Seattle’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, kept the Royals at bay despite a rebound goal from Bianca St-Georges.

With the win, Seattle collected seven of a possible nine points on the road and climbed to fifth in the standings. Strong showings from young talents like Sam Meza, Sally Menti, and Adames signal a promising future for the Reign as they enter the league break with serious momentum.

NC Courage vs
Houston Dash 🟥 (2-1)

The Houston Dash fell 2-1 to the North Carolina Courage on Saturday night, despite a record-setting start from Avery Patterson, who scored just 52 seconds into the match — the fastest goal in club history. The Dash held the lead until the 69th minute, when midfielder Sarah Puntigam was sent off after receiving a second yellow, leaving Houston with 10 players.

North Carolina capitalized quickly, equalizing through Jaedyn Shaw in the 71st minute before Hanna Betfort netted the winner in the 82nd. Jane Campbell returned to the Dash goal with three key saves, but Houston couldn’t hold on. They’ll return to Shell Energy Stadium on July 8 for an international friendly before resuming league play against Bay FC on August 2.

SD Wave vs
Washington Spirit (0-0)

Despite being outshot 16-7 and spending much of the night on the defensive, the Washington Spirit clawed out a hard-earned 0-0 draw against the San Diego Wave at Snapdragon Stadium. Aubrey Kingsbury was the star of the night, notching six saves—including three highlight stops in the second half—to earn her 41st career NWSL clean sheet, tying her for fourth-most all-time. Her effort secured a crucial point for the Spirit heading into the league’s July break.

San Diego dominated possession and created chance after chance, but couldn’t convert despite a relentless attack led by María Sánchez, Adriana Leon, and Delphine Cascarino. The Spirit, meanwhile, leaned on counterattacks and defensive grit, with standout moments from Gift Monday and Croix Bethune offering brief flashes of offense.

Gotham FC vs
Bay FC (2-1)

Gotham FC overcame an early deficit to defeat Bay FC 2-1 at home, entering the summer break on a two-game winning streak. After conceding in the 11th minute to Penelope Hocking, Gotham equalized through Esther González in the 30th minute and sealed the comeback with a composed finish from Geyse in the 55th. It marked Gotham’s first home win after conceding first since 2021 and a crucial three points to stay in playoff position.

González made history as the fastest Gotham player to reach 10 goals in a season, edging Sam Kerr’s 2017 record. Rookie Sarah Schupansky notched her fourth assist—tying the club's rookie record—while Nealy Martin recorded her first assist in over a year. Ann-Katrin Berger also set a club record for regular season wins by a goalkeeper.

Where We Stand
Going Into The Break

As the NWSL hits the international break, Kansas City Current remains firmly on top with a six-game winning streak, while Orlando Pride and San Diego Wave round out the top three. Washington Spirit hold onto fourth, but teams like Portland and Seattle are surging, thanks to standout rookie performances from Pietra Tordin and Emeri Adames. Gotham FC is back in the mix after another comeback win, while North Carolina and Bay FC linger just outside playoff position.

At the bottom, Houston, Chicago, Angel City, and Utah continue to struggle, with the Royals hit hardest after a 4–1 loss to Seattle. Esther González leads the Golden Boot race with 10 goals, and KC’s Lorena headlines a strong group of goalkeepers. With the table tight and plenty still to play for, teams will use this break to rest, reset, and gear up for a furious playoff push in August.

The Story of Orlando’s Rise

Seb Hines and Giles Barnes, two longtime friends and former England youth teammates, have taken Orlando Pride from the bottom of the NWSL to the top, delivering the club’s first-ever championship in 2024. Their journey began in unlikely fashion — Hines moved to MLS after a pivotal phone call with Barnes, who encouraged him during a difficult stretch in his own injury-riddled career. Years later, after Orlando placed head coach Amanda Cromwell on leave in 2022, Hines stepped up as interim head coach and called on Barnes to join him in resetting the club’s culture. Together, they focused on rebuilding the team’s morale through hard work and joy — and turned Orlando into champions.

Their transformation wasn’t just about tactics — it was about trust, shared vision, and creating a winning environment. In just two years, the duo helped Orlando go from turmoil to triumph, winning both the NWSL Shield and Championship. Hines also made history as the league’s first Black head coach, something he hopes will inspire others. Now, as the Pride sit second in the standings heading into the summer break, Hines and Barnes are focused on sustaining their success and proving that last season’s glory wasn’t a fluke — but the start of a new era.

BWPC Doubles Down: Juneteenth and the Fight for Equity in Soccer

Now in its fifth year, the Black Women’s Player Collective (BWPC) is using Juneteenth not just as a moment of celebration, but as a powerful reminder of its mission: to uplift Black women in soccer and ensure meaningful representation on and off the pitch. Formed in 2020 during a wave of national reckoning, the group has grown into a force for equity, creativity, and access—partnering with clubs across the NWSL to bring young girls, especially from underrepresented communities, to their first professional matches and to amplify Black artistry through initiatives like their Juneteenth matchday shirts.

The BWPC is also focused on long-term change, pushing back against systemic barriers like the pay-to-play model by partnering with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to build mini-pitches and create more equitable entry points into the sport. From supporting local initiatives with clubs like the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC to reinvesting in communities through merchandise sales, the BWPC continues to expand its impact. While some organizations have scaled back their post-2020 commitments to racial equity, the BWPC is doubling down. As acting chair Imani Dorsey puts it, “The fight for equity and representation isn’t a moment—it’s the mission.”

New Faces, Old Favorites: NWSL Talent Headlines USWNT Summer Roster

Emma Hayes’ latest USWNT roster leans heavily on NWSL talent, offering a fresh look at emerging stars as the team prepares for friendlies against Ireland and Canada. Rose Lavelle returns to the national team after an eight-month absence, joined by fellow comeback story Croix Bethune. With Europe-based players resting, Hayes has handed first-time call-ups to Lilly Reale, Jordyn Bugg, Izzy Rodriguez, and Sam Meza, creating one of the least-experienced USWNT squads in recent memory.

The June/July window will offer these rising prospects a rare opportunity to shine on the international stage before World Cup qualifying ramps up. With just one European-based player (Naomi Girma), the camp serves as both a development lab and a proving ground. For Hayes, this may be the last chance to experiment — and for many players, the first chance to break through.

USWNT Summer Friendly Schedule:

* June 26: vs. Ireland – 9 PM ET in Commerce City, CO (TBS)

* June 29: vs. Ireland – 3 PM ET in Cincinnati, OH (TNT)

* July 2: vs. Canada – 7:30 PM ET in Washington, DC (TNT)