Eight pros and 13 collegians comprise Coach Vicky Jepson’s U.S. team for the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland (Sept. 5-27). The USA last won the biennial championship in 2012. Three players are in their third NWSL seasons: Kennedy Fuller, Ainsley McCammon and Emeri Adames.
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NWSL: Chicago Stars sack Marin Sjögren, Lorne Donaldson returns
Assistant coach Karina Báez will serve as interim head coach of the Chicago Stars for the remainder of the 2026 season, replacing head coach Marin Sjögren, the Swede under whom the Stars have managed one NWSL win. Former Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson returns as interim director of coaching. Also, Chicago has hired Nicole Lukic as a full-time assistant coach.
NWSL: Thorns end skid thanks to Pietra Tordin hat trick
The 4-3 win against Boston Legacy in Rhode Island was powered by a 37-minute hat trick. It ended a four-game winless streak for the Thorns, who were playing without Olivia Moultrie (knee injury).
What They’re Saying
“If you build a restaurant somewhere and nobody comes in to eat, you either close it down or you move the restaurant, right? Or you change your menu.”
— John Neace, the owner of the NWSL’s Racing Louisville, told The Athletic that the club currently has no plans to leave Louisville, but announced that it is seeking new investors. Racing Louisville, which is second-to-last with a 4W-11L-2T record, is averaging about 5,400 fans per game.
NWSL: Emily Sonnett sidelined for remainder of 2026 season after knee surgery
Sonnett will face a race against the clock to recover for the 2027 World Cup. Also out with a knee injury (again) is Angel City FC forward Jun Endo.
Soccer Media Watch: NWSL terminates Victory+ deal
Beginning on Sunday, all matches that had been scheduled to stream on Victory+ will instead be available free to fans on NWSL+.
Chawinga sisters sparkle as Malawi stun Women’s Africa Cup of Nations holder Nigeria
Sisters Temwa (KC Current) and Tabitha (OL Lyonnes) Chawinga starred as rank outsider Malawi stunned defending champion Nigeria 3-2 on Tuesday in a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group C match at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Gotham FC top scorer Esther Gonzalez returns to Spain
Spanish world champion Esther Gonzalez, Gotham FC’s all-time leading scorer, has temporarily stepped away from soccer to attend to personal matters in Spain. Esther, 33, scored the game-winner in the 2023 NWSL final. Gotham FC won a second title and the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup in 2025.
NWSL midseason superlatives: The standouts, surprises and disappointments
The National Women’s Soccer League is fast approaching the halfway mark. Let’s assess who has stood out (in good and not so good ways) so far through the 2026 season. Biggest surprise: Utah Royals. Jimmy Coenraets’ team finished 11th and 12th in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Through 15 games, they have already eclipsed their total […]
KC Current II wins WPSL title
Kansas City Current II won the 2026 WPSL title with a 1-0 win over New York Athletic Club in the final at Riverside Stadium. The lone goal was scored by Avery Clark (her 16th of the season) in the 39th minute off a corner kick from Ally Henry. Clark played two years at the University of Texas before […]
