Welcome to this week's edition of Goalside Gossip, your go-to source for all things women's soccer! This issue is bursting with the latest from the Women’s Super League and the NWSL, as we witness Manchester City and Chelsea vying for the top spot in a close title race, while across the pond, the NWSL sees Kansas City Current setting records and Gotham FC facing challenges. As both leagues head towards exciting conclusions, we're dedicated to bringing you detailed analysis and all the scores to keep you informed.

In addition to our regular league coverage, we're thrilled to expand our focus to include the United Women's Soccer (UWS) league. Get ready to dive deep into the teams, key players, and promising talents shaping this dynamic league. This week, we spotlight McKenna "Mak" Whitham, an emerging talent whose early achievements are setting the stage for a stellar career in soccer. From her groundbreaking NIL deal with Nike to her impactful performances on the field, Mak's journey is one we're excited to follow as she joins Santa Clarita Blue Heat FC this upcoming UWS season.

We also have exciting features lined up including player interviews, tactical breakdowns, and a closer look at how the teams are preparing for the upcoming matches. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a blend of Goals, Gossip, and Glory from the world of women's soccer. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual follower, there's something in here for everyone as we celebrate the skill, passion, and drama of these incredible athletes and their competitions.

WSL Matches of the Week

Manchester City vs West Ham (5-0)

Manchester City claimed the top spot in the Women's Super League with a commanding 5-0 victory over West Ham, marking their 13th consecutive league win. They quickly took a 2-0 lead within the first three minutes through goals from Leila Ouahabi and Khadija Shaw. Shaw added another goal before halftime but had to be substituted due to an injury, spending the second half in a protective boot. Newcomer Laura Blindkilde Brown scored her first goal for the club, and Jess Park capped off the scoring late in the game. This win places City three points clear of Chelsea, who have one game in hand due to their Champions League commitments. Things are going to get interesting in the race for the trophy.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa 🟥 (3-0)

Chelsea continued to push for the top position in the Women's Super League by defeating Aston Villa, recovering impressively from recent cup disappointments. The match tilted in Chelsea's favor early when Villa's goalkeeper Anna Leat was sent off for handling outside the box, reducing Villa to ten players. Chelsea capitalized on their numerical advantage with Aggie Beever-Jones opening the scoring, followed by goals from Maika Hamano and Kadeisha Buchanan. The team dominated possession and effectively managed the game, reflecting a strong bounce back under Emma Hayes' leadership. This victory placed Chelsea three points below Manchester City but with one game in hand due to Champions League, intensifying the title race with only a few matches left. If they were to be tied, Chelsea would have the upper hand based on goal difference.

The Updated Table

NWSL Matches of the Week

KC Current vs Bay FC (5-2)

The Kansas City Current triumphed in a high-scoring match against Bay FC with a 5-2 victory at CPKC Stadium, continuing their home and overall undefeated streaks. The game was notable for the scoring prowess displayed by forwards Temwa Chawinga and Bia Zaneratto, who each scored twice. Midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo contributed significantly with a couple of assists, and Bayley Feist also marked the scoresheet with her first goal for the Current. The team took an early lead and maintained control throughout the game, despite Bay FC narrowing the gap in the first half. This win sets a new NWSL record for Kansas City, as they become the first team to score 17 goals in the first five games of the season.

Washington Spirit vs Gotham FC (2-0)

NJ/NY Gotham FC faced a challenging away match at Audi Field, losing 2-0 to the Washington Spirit despite holding a slight advantage in possession. The game's crucial moments included Croix Bethune and Ashley Hatch scoring for the Spirit, with Bethune striking from distance in the 41st minute and Hatch converting a penalty in the 70th after a handball confirmed by video review. Gotham FC goalkeeper Cassie Miller made several key saves to keep her team in the match, but the team's offensive efforts were insufficient to turn the game around. The match featured several individual milestones, such as Maycee Bell making her regular season debut and Sam Hiatt surpassing her previous best for passes into the final third.

The Updated Table

UWS

As the new official partner of the UWS, we will be covering some players, games and stories from the United Women’s Soccer League. We encourage everyone to go check out their website before the season begins and get familiarized with what they’re all about (maybe even choose a favorite team to root for 👀 ).

Take a look at why some players, coaches and owners choose to be a part of the UWS.

Player Spotlight: McKenna "Mak" Whitham

McKenna "Mak" Whitham, born on July 27, 2010, is making significant strides in the world of women's soccer at a remarkably young age. As a forward for the United States girls' national under-15 team, Whitham has already begun training with NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2024. Her early involvement in professional environments, coupled with signing a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Nike, showcases her unique talents and the high expectations surrounding her career. This deal with Nike marks her as the youngest athlete to sign such an NIL deal, underscoring her potential and the recognition she is gaining in the sports industry.

Whitham's journey began in San Francisco, California, where she was homeschooled, allowing her to focus significantly on her soccer career. She played club soccer for MVLA Soccer Club and Slammers FC HB Køge, leading her team to the under-13 national final. Her prowess on the field caught the attention of multiple UWS NWSL teams, including the Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit, leading to training stints with these clubs. Despite her youth, she has been training and even scoring in preseason games, such as a notable last-minute winner for Gotham FC. The breadth of her experience at such a young age, including her international career starting from the under-14 national team trials to her current position in the under-15 team, positions her as a standout young talent in soccer.

As Whitham continues to develop her skills both in club and international play, her early achievements and the support from major brands like Nike indicate a promising future in the sport. Her ability to compete at a high level, evidenced by her participation in UWS and NWSL trainings and her impactful performances, highlights her readiness and capability to potentially excel in professional women’s soccer in the coming years. Her journey reflects not only her personal ambition and talent but also the growing opportunities and recognition for young female athletes in soccer today.

Mak will be playing with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat FC this upcoming UWS season, so be sure to keep an eye out on her and the Blue Heat.

🚨 GIVEAWAY WINNER 🚨

As promised, Goalside Gossip will be doing five weeks of giveaways to all of our loyal subscribers. The winner of this weeks giveaway- official Goalside Gossip tailgate Koozies- is: Julianne H. An email has been sent to you Julianne, please confirm and claim your prize within 48 hours. For everyone else, the rules are the same. Keep an eye out for your emails because if Julianne doesn’t claim her prize within 48 hours, someone else will get it.

Also keep an eye out for next week’s newsletter where we will be announcing our second giveaway!

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