Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

No goals, no mercy, and no chill, this week had it all. Arsenal and Manchester United cancelled each other out in a cagey 0–0, Chelsea steamrolled West Ham 5–0 to remind everyone who still runs the WSL, and Villa jump above Brighton in the table with a win. If the weekend told us anything, it’s that the gap between “good,” “great,” and “elite” is still very real.

Meanwhile off the pitch, the chaos was just as loud: expansion teams are spending like contenders, Trinity Rodman is playing contract chess at a grandmaster level, and Boston is already trying to build a dynasty before they’ve even kicked a ball. Let’s unpack. Also, USWNT captain Lindsay Heaps returns home to Denver to compete in the NWSL.

• Notable Matches (WSL)

  • Arsenal vs Manchester United (0-0)

  • Chelsea vs West Ham (5-0)

  • Aston Villa vs Brighton (2-1)

• News

  • Expansion Teams Spend Like Contenders

  • Rodman's "Unattached" Status: Genius or Gamble?

  • Boston's Day One: Building a Dynasty

  • Lindsey Heaps Returns to Colorado

Arsenal vs
Man Utd (0-0)

Arsenal were held to a frustrating 0–0 draw at the Emirates by 10-player Manchester United, missing a key chance to strengthen their grip on a top-three WSL place. United had the best early opening when Fridolina Rolfö hit the crossbar, but their task became much harder after Jayde Riviere was sent off in the 65th minute. Arsenal dominated possession and territory and created chances through Alessia Russo, Kim Little and others, but a lack of cutting edge let United, disciplined, organised and resilient, hang on for a valuable point that leaves Arsenal just one place and one point ahead of them in the table.

Chelsea vs
West Ham (5-0)

Chelsea began 2026 with a dominant 5–0 win over West Ham at Kingsmeadow, ruining Rita Guarino’s first game in charge as the Hammers’ new manager. An own goal after 49 seconds sparked a ruthless first half in which Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson and Sandy Baltimore made it 4–0 by the break, before Baltimore added a penalty in the second half. The result underlined Chelsea’s growing sharpness as they chase Manchester City in the title race, while West Ham were left exposed by costly errors and reminded how steep their rebuilding task remains. Have some time to kill? Watch the full match here.

Aston Villa vs
Brighton (2-1)

Aston Villa came from behind with two goals in 92 seconds to beat Brighton at Villa Park, turning a frustrating afternoon into a vital 2–1 win. Brighton took the lead when Fuka Tsunoda capitalised on a mistake from goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, but Villa grew into the game after the break and finally made their pressure count when Rachel Daly headed in an equaliser before Kirsty Hanson quickly fired the winner from the edge of the box. The result lifts Villa above Brighton in mid-table and gives Natalia Arroyo’s side a timely boost after the winter break, while Brighton were left to rue a strong first half that faded once Villa raised the intensity.

Expansion Teams are
Buying, Not Building

The era of the "slow build" for NWSL expansion franchises is officially dead. With the elimination of the college draft and the introduction of unrestricted free agency, incoming clubs like Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC have been forced to abandon the traditional strategy of stockpiling draft picks in favor of aggressive spending. Instead of relying on unproven rookies to fill out a roster, these front offices are leveraging significant allocation money, reportedly over $1 million in spending power, to compete immediately with established powerhouses. The league’s new "High Impact Player" rule has turned what used to be a two-year construction project into an overnight arms race.

Boston Legacy FC has become the poster child for this new reality. Rather than waiting for a lottery ball to bounce their way, they went out and secured USWNT youth phenom Chloe Ricketts on a deal that locks her down through 2028. It is a massive statement of intent to sign an 18-year-old with professional experience to a long-term contract before a single game has been played. They paired this youth movement with international experience, bringing in Colombian defender Jorelyn Carabalí and tapping into the European market with signings like Annie Karich.

Denver Summit FC is following a similar script in the mountains by bringing Colorado-native Lindsey Heaps back home. The club also been targeting proven NWSL commodities like forward Ally Watt and international talents such as Spanish striker Nahikari García. By aggressively utilizing transfer funds and the new intra-league loan mechanisms, Denver is building a squad designed to compete for a playoff spot on day one rather than accepting the traditional role of a league doormat. The message from both cities is clear. You can no longer build a contender on potential alone. You have to buy it.

Rodman Makes
Not-So-Subtle Statement

Trinity Rodman reporting to USWNT camp without a club contract is not an administrative oversight. It is a flex. By showing up as "Unattached" on the official roster, she is publicly signaling that her loyalty to the Washington Spirit, and the NWSL, has a price that hasn’t been met yet. The 23-year-old superstar is fresh off a contract that paid her $1.1 million over four years, but with European giants circling, Rodman is effectively daring the league to undervalue her.

Washington is in a bind. They’ve already seen what happens when you don't lock down generational talent early. Players walk or the price tag doubles overnight. Rodman’s agent has been vocal about the Spirit’s previous offers not meeting "fair market value," and the rejection of a uniquely backloaded deal by the league office only added fuel to the fire. Now, Rodman is training in Southern California with the national team, fully visible, fully fit, and fully free to sign with anyone from Chelsea to Lyon if the Spirit can’t restructure a deal that satisfies both her camp and the league’s complex cap rules.

This standoff is the first real test of the NWSL’s new era. The "High Impact Player" rule was created specifically for situations like this, to keep domestic icons at home. If Washington can't leverage that mechanism to keep the face of their franchise, it’s a failure of the system. Rodman knows she holds the cards. She doesn't need a club to make the national team roster. But the NWSL desperately needs her to stay "Attached."

Boston Looks to Make
Statement From Day One

Boston Legacy FC held its inaugural training session last Tuesday, marking the first time the expansion side’s expensive roster shared a field. The session was closed to the public, but reports indicate a tempo far above the standard "Day 1" easing-in period. Goalkeeper Casey Murphy commanded the defensive unit, while 18-year-old Chloe Ricketts was reportedly deployed centrally in early drills, hinting at a potential No. 10 role rather than her usual spot on the wing.

With preseason training kicking off Jan. 14, Boston Legacy FC has solidified its initial squad, boasting a heavy mix of NWSL veterans and international stars. As of Jan. 9, the club has announced 22 signings, including nine international players.

Key Signings by Position:

• Goalkeepers: The net is secured by USWNT veteran Casey Murphy (signed to a 4-year deal) and two-time NWSL Shield winner Laurel Ivory

• Defenders: The backline adds experience with Nicki Hernandez (Mexico National Team) and Laís Araújo, who joins from Benfica

• Midfielders: Notable additions include former Barcelona talent Alba Caño and local Boston College standout Sophia Lowenberg

• Forwards: The club added significant firepower, signing Amanda Gutierres (41 goals in 42 games for Palmeiras) alongside seasoned NWSL attackers Ella Stevens and Bianca St-Georges.

USWNT Captain
Comes Home

U.S. Women’s National Team captain Lindsey Heaps is set to return to the NWSL, signing with expansion club Denver Summit FC through 2029. The Colorado native and midfield star will join Summit FC after completing the 2025–26 season with European powerhouse OL Lyonnes. Heaps brings a decorated resume, including a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup title, Olympic gold (2024) and bronze (2020) medals, multiple Concacaf championships, U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year (2021), and a spot in the Best FIFA Women’s XI (2024). For Heaps, the move is a “double homecoming”, returning both to her home state and the U.S. league where she previously played with Portland Thorns FC.

Denver Summit FC officials hail Heaps as a defining signing for the club. General Manager Curt Johnson and Head Coach Nick Cushing emphasized her leadership, professionalism, and world-class talent as key to shaping the club’s identity. Heaps, 31, has previously played professionally in France with PSG, returned to the NWSL with Portland, and most recently starred with Lyon, winning three Division 1 Féminine titles, a UEFA Women’s Champions League crown, and the Coupe de France Féminine. She is expected to join Summit FC in June, although her debut may coincide with the league’s summer break for the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Denver Summit FC will play its inaugural match on March 28 at Empower Field at Mile High, and the team continues to build its roster with experienced NWSL and international players, setting the stage for a competitive debut season.

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