Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

It was a weekend of milestones and momentum in the NWSL. Orlando Pride edged Portland 1-0 with a stoppage-time winner, while the record-breaking Kansas City Current continued their dominance in a 2-0 victory over Gotham FC. San Diego Wave climbed back above the playoff line with a gritty 3-2 win over Utah, and Washington Spirit extended their unbeaten streak to 12 after a 1-1 draw with North Carolina. Out west, Angel City kept its postseason hopes alive with a crucial 2-0 win over Houston. Off the field, Seattle icon Lauren Barnes announced her retirement after 13 seasons, Denver Summit’s Nick Cushing reflected on the challenge of building a new expansion club from scratch, and commissioner Jessica Berman secured a new three-year deal to lead the NWSL into its next era of growth.

Here’s what’s in store this week:

• NWSL:

  • Orlando Pride vs Portland Thorns (1-0)

  • KC Current vs Gotham FC (2-0)

  • Utah Royals vs SD Wave (2-3)

  • NC Courage vs Washington Spirit (1-1)

  • Angel City vs Houston Dash (2-0)

• News:

  • Lauren Barnes Announces Retirement

  • Nick Cushing Talks Building an NWSL Club

  • Berman Inks New Three Year Deal

Orlando Pride vs
Portland Thorns (1-0)

The Orlando Pride edged Portland Thorns FC 1-0 on Friday night at Inter&Co Stadium, thanks to a stoppage-time own goal that sealed all three points. Marta’s late corner in the 92nd minute deflected off a Portland defender and into the net, extending the Pride’s unbeaten streak to three matches and moving them up to third in the NWSL standings.

Head Coach Seb Hines praised his team’s intensity and composure, noting their persistence finally paid off after several close chances. The win also marked Orlando’s 10th goal in the final 15 minutes of a match this season — the most in the league. Marta made her return as a second-half substitute, and the Pride will next face C.F. Pachuca Femenil on Oct. 15 in a must-win Concacaf W Champions Cup match.

KC Current vs
Gotham FC (2-0)

The Kansas City Current made NWSL history with a dominant 2-0 win over Gotham FC at CPKC Stadium, becoming the first team ever to record 20 regular season victories and surpass 60 points in a single season. Bia Zaneratto opened the scoring with a header in the 34th minute, then assisted Temwa Chawinga’s league-leading 15th goal early in the second half. Goalkeeper Lorena also set a new NWSL record with her 14th shutout of the year, solidifying the Current’s reputation as the league’s defensive powerhouse.

In front of another sellout crowd during the club’s annual Teal Out, Kansas City extended its unbeaten streak to 17 straight matches, maintained its perfect home record, and tied the league record for most multi-goal games in a season. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski praised the performance as the ideal playoff tune-up, with the Current’s relentless press and defensive discipline limiting Gotham to just seven shots. Kansas City now turns its attention to the Houston Dash on Oct. 18 for the final road match of the regular season.

Utah Royals vs
SD Wave (2-3)

San Diego Wave FC battled back from an early deficit to defeat Utah Royals FC 3-2 at America First Field, snapping Utah’s eight-game unbeaten streak and boosting San Diego above the playoff line. After Janni Thomsen opened the scoring for Utah, Dudinha equalized in the 30th minute off a Delphine Cascarino assist. The Wave then took the lead just before halftime when a Kristen McNabb effort deflected in off a Royals defender.

Mina Tanaka briefly pulled Utah level in the second half, but Kenza Dali sealed the win with a stunning 72nd-minute strike from distance — her fourth goal of the season. The victory marked San Diego’s first since August 16 and moved the club into sixth place with two matches remaining. Cascarino recorded her league-leading sixth assist, while Dudinha continued her strong form since joining in July. The Wave will return home to Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 18 for Fan Appreciation Night against Chicago.

NC Courage vs
Washington Spirit (1-1)

The Washington Spirit extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches with a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage in a rain-soaked matchup in Cary. After a scoreless first half highlighted by strong defensive play and a disallowed Courage goal, Trinity Rodman put the Spirit ahead in the 53rd minute, firing home her fifth goal of the season off an assist from Hal Hershfelt. North Carolina equalized late through Shinomi Koyama in the 86th minute after sustained pressure, salvaging a point at home.

Despite the draw, Washington’s consistency and defensive resilience kept their record streak alive. The Spirit now return to Audi Field for two key home matches next week — facing Monterrey in the Concacaf W Champions Cup on Oct. 15 before hosting the Orlando Pride in their final regular season home game on Oct. 18.

Angel City vs
Houston Dash (2-0)

Angel City FC kept its playoff hopes alive with a 2-0 win over the Houston Dash at BMO Stadium, snapping a five-match winless streak. Kennedy Fuller opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, pouncing on a rebound after Dash goalkeeper Abby Smith parried a cross from Hina Sugita. Maiara Niehues sealed the result in the 86th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse with Smith off her line to double the lead.

The victory prevented Angel City (7-11-6) from being eliminated from postseason contention, while Houston (7-10-6) suffered just its third loss in 11 matches. A potential late Dash penalty was overturned by VAR in stoppage time. The result also secured a playoff berth for the Orlando Pride.

Where We Stand So Far

Lauren Barnes
Announces Retirement

Seattle Reign captain and NWSL legend Lauren “Lu” Barnes has announced she will retire at the end of the 2025 season, closing the chapter on a remarkable one-club career that has defined the league’s history. Just days after making her record-breaking 250th regular-season appearance — the most in NWSL history. Barnes reflected on her “storybook” journey in a heartfelt video, marking the end of a 13-year run spent entirely with Seattle. A 2016 NWSL Defender of the Year, two-time Shield winner, and three-time Championship finalist, Barnes has been a constant presence on and off the field since the league’s inception.

Known for her consistency and leadership, Barnes has played every minute in 202 of her 250 appearances, becoming the first player to reach 150, 200, and 250 games as well as 10,000 and 20,000 minutes. Her longtime teammate Jess Fishlock, who recently scored a banger, praised her as “one of the best players for the last decade” and “an incredible human being.” The Reign will honor Barnes’s legacy during their October 17 match against the Utah Royals, fittingly celebrating a player whose impact and loyalty have become synonymous with the club’s identity and with the NWSL itself.

Nick Cushing Talks About
Building an NWSL Team

Nick Cushing, former Manchester City and NYCFC coach, is leading the charge to build Denver Summit FC, one of the NWSL’s 2025 expansion clubs, entirely from scratch. Despite having only three signed players so far, excitement in Colorado is sky-high, with over 15,000 fans already placing season ticket deposits. Cushing, who previously guided Manchester City to multiple trophies and Champions League semifinals, is applying lessons from his early coaching days to shape Denver’s culture, values, and competitive foundation. He emphasizes recruiting players and staff with the right mentality — individuals who embody work ethic, ambition, and accountability — as he constructs the club’s identity from the ground up. You can watch his first ever press conference here.

Backed by a star-studded ownership group that includes Peyton Manning and Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin, Denver Summit has already set a record with its $110 million NWSL entry fee. Cushing plans to prioritize building a cohesive team over chasing immediate results, calling the project “a jigsaw puzzle” where each piece contributes to a larger vision. Though fully focused on establishing Denver as a winning NWSL club, he admits his long-term ambition still includes returning to the Champions League one day. For now, surrounded by the Rockies and a rapidly growing fanbase, Cushing’s eyes are set on helping Denver reach new heights — literally and figuratively.

Jessica Berman Inks
New Three Year Deal

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman has received a three-year contract extension that will keep her in charge through the 2028 season, following approval by the league’s executive committee. Since taking over in 2022, Berman has overseen a period of unprecedented growth for the NWSL — including record expansion fees, soaring franchise valuations, and increased media visibility. Under her leadership, the average team valuation has climbed from single-digit millions to well over $100 million, with clubs such as Angel City and the Houston Dash drawing record-breaking deals. The new contract reportedly includes performance incentives tied to the league’s upcoming broadcast negotiations, set to be a defining moment before current media deals expire in 2027.

While Berman has been widely credited for stabilizing and professionalizing the league after its 2021 abuse scandals, her tenure hasn’t been without controversy. Some owners have criticized her handling of player safety incidents and inconsistent disciplinary measures, though the executive committee reaffirmed its confidence in her vision for the NWSL’s next phase of growth. As the league looks ahead to more expansion, potential calendar restructuring, and the buildup to the 2031 Women’s World Cup in the U.S., Berman’s continued leadership signals a commitment to maintaining the NWSL’s commercial momentum and global ambitions.