All articles tagged with #womens soccer
The Portland Thorns named Robert Vilahamn as head coach, pending his P1 visa, bringing experience from Tottenham Women and BK Häcken as they push for success in the 2026 NWSL season, which opens March 13 at Washington Spirit.
Iran’s women’s national team stayed quiet through their national anthem before the AFC Women’s Asian Cup opener against South Korea on the Gold Coast, a quiet protest amid the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and broader regime unrest. South Korea won 3-0, but the moment drew attention as Iranian supporters and officials navigated the political backdrop; head coach Marziyeh Jafari declined to comment on politics, and Iran will next host Australia at the same venue.
Nike released new primary, secondary, and third kits for all 16 NWSL clubs for the 2026 season, with designs inspired by each club’s roots, neighborhoods, and history; expansion clubs Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC also rolled out inaugural secondary kits, and the regular season opens March 13 with Washington Spirit hosting Portland Thorns FC.
Apple TV+ offers a first look at Ted Lasso season 4, confirming production is underway with a summer release window. In the new season, Ted returns to Richmond to coach a second‑division women’s team, reuniting with familiar stars like Hannah Waddingham and Annette Badland and introducing new faces, including Ted’s son and an assistant coach, as the team navigates bold new challenges.
Trinity Rodman signed a three-year deal with the Washington Spirit averaging over $1 million per year, making her the highest-paid player in women’s soccer. The move follows transfer rumors and comes as the NWSL salary cap rises (to $3.5M in 2026, then to $5.1M by 2030). The 2026 season starts March 13. Rodman, an Olympic gold medalist, called the agreement a game-changing moment and said it opens doors for American players.
The NWSL has introduced a 'Beckham rule'-like mechanism allowing teams to pay up to $1 million outside the salary cap for high-impact players, despite opposition from the players union, aiming to retain top talent and grow the league.
The NWSL announced a new High Impact Player Rule allowing clubs to exceed salary caps by up to $1 million for top players, aiming to attract and retain elite talent amid increased league investment, starting July 1, 2026.
Sophia Wilson, a key player for the Portland Thorns and USWNT star, has exercised her 2026 player option to return to Portland, bringing her extensive accolades and leadership back to the team after maternity leave, aiming to help the Thorns contend for another championship in 2026.
The NCAA announced the field of 64 teams for the 2025 Division I Women's Soccer Championship, with first-round matches starting November 14-16 and the final at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City on December 8, broadcast on ESPNU. The tournament features automatic bids from 30 conferences and 34 at-large selections, with first-time qualifiers UIC and Wagner. North Carolina is the defending champion.
Portugal achieved a surprising 2-1 victory over the USA women's national team in a friendly match, marking Portugal's first win against the USWNT in 12 encounters, with key moments including an early US goal, Portugal's equalizer and winning goal, and a notable upset for Emma Hayes' team.
Angel City winger Alyssa Thompson is in negotiations to transfer to Chelsea, with a potential record-breaking fee exceeding $1 million, but the deal is close to the WSL transfer window deadline, and her departure could impact Angel City's playoff chances.
Orlando Pride has set a world record by signing Mexican forward Lizbeth Ovalle from Tigres UANL for a record-breaking fee, making her the club's and the league's most expensive transfer, as part of their strategy to build a top-tier team and elevate women's soccer globally.
The University of North Carolina women's soccer team lost their season opener 2-0 to Tennessee in Knoxville, with both teams scoreless at halftime. Despite early chances and 14 shots, UNC couldn't score, and Tennessee scored twice in the second half. The Tar Heels will next face Siena at home.
The Chicago Stars of the NWSL have appointed former Norway women's national team coach Martin Sjögren as their new head coach starting in 2026, aiming to build a high-performance team despite currently sitting near the bottom of the league standings. Sjögren, who is currently coaching Hammarby in Sweden, will replace interim coach Ella Masar, with Anders Jacobson serving as interim in the meantime. The club emphasizes a data-driven, values-based approach to their coaching selection.
The US Women's National Team will play its first match at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City on October 29, marking a historic moment for women's sports, with tickets available through various presales and the match broadcast on multiple platforms.