Welcome to this week’s edition of Goalside Gossip!

If this weekend was any indication, the 2026 NWSL season is going to be a fever dream of red cards, tactical masterclasses, and late-game heroics. From the clinical brace by Sveindís Jónsdóttir in San Jose to the historic professional debut of Tessa Dellarose in Chicago, the drama didn't stop at the final whistle.

Beyond the scores, the global landscape is shifting. We are officially in the "Rumor Season" of contract talks, with two of the world's most lethal players Sam Kerr and Bunny Shaw dominating the headlines for very different reasons. Whether you're tracking the expansion teams in Denver and Boston or the record-breaking hat-tricks in the WSL, we’ve got you covered.

What’s in store:

Notable Matches (NWSL)

• Bay FC 🟥 vs Angel City (1-3)

• Racing Louisville vs Washington Spirit (2-2)

• Chicago Stars vs KC Current (2-1)

• Utah Royals 🟥 vs SD Wave (1-2)

News

• Where is Sam Kerr going to end up?

• Jasmine Aikey, Remember the Name

• Is Shaw the Undisputed ‘Best in the World?’

Bay FC 🟥 vs
Angel City (1-3)

Angel City secured a 3-1 victory on the road against Bay FC, powered by a standout performance from Sveindís Jónsdóttir, who recorded a brace with goals in the 3rd and 53rd minutes. Defender Gisele Thompson also found the back of the net in the 32nd minute to give the visitors a commanding lead. Bay FC’s lone goal came from Taylor Huff in the 55th minute, but the midfielder was later sent off in second-half stoppage time after receiving two yellow cards. The win marked a strong start for Angel City, who utilized their clinical transition play to hand Bay FC their first loss of the season at PayPal Park.

Racing Louisville vs
Washington Spirit (2-2)

In a thrilling Friday night matchup at Lynn Family Stadium, Racing Louisville and the Washington Spirit played to a 2-2 draw. Louisville took a solid 2-0 lead into halftime following goals from Kayla Fischer in the 28th minute and Emma Sears in the 43rd. However, the Washington Spirit mounted a resilient second-half comeback, with Sofia Cantore striking from distance in the 50th minute and Leicy Santos equalizing in the 74th minute off an assist from Rosemonde Kouassi. The result extended Washington’s unbeaten streak against Louisville to 12 matches, while the hosts were left to settle for a point after what seemed to look like a promising opening half.

Chicago Stars vs
KC Current (2-1)

The Chicago Stars earned a 2-1 home victory over the Kansas City Current in their home opener at Northwestern Medicine Field. With much anticipation, Stars rookie defender Tessa Dellarose opened the scoring in the 42nd minute of her first professional start, followed by a headed goal from Jordyn Huitema in the 50th minute to double the lead. Kansas City forward Haley Hopkins responded with a goal in the 57th minute to cut the deficit, but the Stars' defense, anchored by Haley Hopkins, held firm against late pressure. The win provided a crucial bounce-back for Chicago following their season-opening loss, while the Current suffered their first road defeat of the 2026 season.

Utah Royals 🟥 vs
SD Wave (1-2)

San Diego Wave FC claimed a 2-1 away victory against the Utah Royals in a match highlighted by historic milestones and fouls flying. Dudinha put the Wave ahead early in the 18th minute, but Utah equalized in the 67th minute through Lara Prašnikar, who became the first Slovenian player to score in NWSL history. The game shifted in the 82nd minute when Utah defender Tatumn Milazzo was sent off with a red card, and San Diego took advantage of the numerical advantage just five minutes later. Rookie Lia Godfrey scored the game-winner in the 87th minute, securing the Wave’s first three points of the season.

Is Sam Kerr Headed
to the NWSL?

Speculation is hitting a fever pitch regarding Matildas captain Sam Kerr’s next chapter as her Chelsea contract winds down. Despite recently recovering from a major ACL injury, Kerr has already proven she is returning to world-class form, operating at approximately 90% of her peak after leading Australia to the Asian Cup final. While her legacy in London is as solid as it gets, with 100 goals and a trophy case full of league titles, the pull of the NWSL is becoming undeniable, fueled by both record-breaking financial incentives and a significant shift in her personal life.

The potential move stateside is heavily motivated by family. Following her marriage to US midfielder Kristie Mewis and the birth of their son, Jagga, in 2025, a shift to the United States would bring Kerr much closer to her family support system. While pundits like Ian Wright and Steph Houghton argue that Chelsea would be "stupid" or "disrespectful" not to offer her a substantial long-term extension, they also acknowledge that the NWSL is now offering "life-changing money" that is increasingly difficult for even the world’s biggest stars to ignore.

We asked you all on instagram where you think she will land and although we got a ton of different responses, a lot of you seem to think she’s headed to Boston. Stay tuned because this will get juicy.

Jasmine Aikey is
Next Up in the NWSL

At just 20 years old, Jasmine Aikey is entering her professional debut season as the marquee signing for the NWSL expansion side, Denver Summit. The former Stanford standout and MAC Hermann Trophy winner arrives in the Mile High City with a decorated resume, including two All-American honors and a reputation for keeping her cool under pressure. Aikey chose Denver for its ambitious project and vibrant fanbase, drawing parallels to the excitement she witnessed with Bay FC in her hometown. While she has set her sights high with goals to sweep both the NWSL Shield and Championship, she maintains a grounded mental approach, purposefully avoiding strict gameday rituals to ensure she remains adaptable on the pitch.

Beyond her tactical prowess, Aikey brings a unique creative flair to the league as a dedicated sneakerhead who specializes in sneaker customization. Her passion for design extends to her footwear, where she frequently paints her own shoes and carefully selects limited-edition cleats, such as her current Ronaldo remakes. Guided by the philosophy that "bad days lead to good days," Aikey is focused on long-term growth and technical improvement. As the 2026 season intensifies, she is quickly becoming the face of Denver’s franchise and a primary player to watch for fans invested in the next generation of American soccer talent.

Has Shaw Solidified
Herself as ‘The Best’?

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw solidified her claim as the world’s premier striker this past weekend, dismantling Tottenham Hotspur with a historic performance in Manchester City’s 5-2 victory. Shaw set a new WSL record for the fastest hat-trick, netting three goals in a staggering 12 minutes and 37 seconds…all before the 21st minute of play. While her 18 goals this season lead the league by a wide margin, her impact goes far beyond the scoresheet. With City now just three wins away from their first league title in a decade, Shaw’s 80 goals in 89 league appearances have made her the undeniable engine of their success.

However, a cloud hangs over City’s title charge as Shaw’s contract is set to expire this summer, with heavy interest reported from rivals like Chelsea and even NWSL some NWSL teams. Despite her evolution into a complete player who leads the team in nearly every offensive and pressing metric, a formal extension has yet to be signed. Losing a player of Shaw’s caliber on a free transfer would be a massive blow both on and off the pitch, especially as she currently represents the gold standard for strikers in the global game.