We had a very rainy weekend here in Vermont, which meant lots of time to watch soccer. The Champions League final was a goalfest… but not in the way I was anticipating! Huge congrats to Barcelona, who defeated Lyonnes 4-0 after a first half that had me convinced the trophy was heading to France. I just couldn’t get over the way Barça stayed in the match, took their chances, and eventually held the game in the palm of their hands. Turns out Becky was right in her prediction, as usual. Catch our live reaction to the game, and see how it all unfolded. 🇪🇸

This week’s “Good Vibes” is absolutely packed – we’re breaking down the latest from the NWSL, CONCACAF W Champions Cup, and WSL promotion and relegation battles, then wrapping it all up with World Sevens. Like I said, SO much soccer. On Thursday, Gotham defender Tierna Davidson also joins us on “Friendlies” to preview the USWNT’s upcoming games against Brazil. Be sure to tune in on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎙️

Also, I recently had the opportunity to connect with the folks at Where Football Lives, an organization fighting to protect soccer pitches and communities most impacted by climate change. On Saturday, June 6 at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT), they’ll be attempting to beat an official Guinness World Record for the most people simultaneously juggling a football, with over 11,000 people already registered across 46 locations worldwide. Registration is just $15, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to support grassroots soccer fields facing the effects of extreme weather. It's a chance to get outside, be a part of something global, and support an incredible cause that keeps the game alive for future generations. 🤝

And if you’re curious about the real‑world impact climate change is having on sports, check out the interview we did with Professor Radley Horton from Columbia’s Climate School last year. It’s a great deep dive into what’s at stake. 🌎

Thank you all for being here, and caring about this game as much as we do! 🫶

Love,
Sam

P.S. This record-signing marked her first club goal with a new tattoo, while her opponent celebrated not being immortalized in ink. 🫣

A year after a surprise defeat to Arsenal in the 2025 UWCL final, the Catalan giants are back on top. Thanks to braces from Polish striker Ewa Pajor and forward Salma Paralluelo, Barcelona claimed their fourth European title with a 4-0 win over Lyonnes in Oslo. Read on for a breakdown of all the action: 

🫠 Close Calls: Starting the game strong, the eight-time champions used a relentless press to force Barça to rely on counter attacks. While the French front line had several chances in the final third, Blaugrana goalkeeper Cata Coll’s herculean efforts kept them at bay. In the 14th minute, USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps buried a rebound off a set piece, only for the football gods to intervene cruelly, ruling it offside for Lyonnes.

🪄 A Curse Lifted: Meanwhile, Barça’s Pajor entered the match, having previously reached five UWCL finals and lost all of them, with three of those heartbreaks delivered by Lyonnes to rub salt in the wound. It was only fitting then that she would be the hero on the day, shattering the deadlock in the 55th minute before doubling her tally. Pajor finished the campaign with 11 UWCL goals – surpassing Arsenal’s Alessia Russo to win the Golden Boot. Pajor not only broke the Champions League final curse that seemed to follow her for years, but also brought an end to the infamous Golden Boot streak that’s left every top scorer since 2022 without a trophy.

Also dominant in attack, Paralluelo helped Pajor exorcise her demons, picking up a loose ball in the 90th minute and burying a left-footed banger. Shortly after, Barça countered once more, showcasing their excellent link-up, with the Spanish left-winger ultimately chipping goalkeeper Christiane Endler to finish the game 4-0. 

💔 Roster Uncertainty & Emotional Farewells: While Barça celebrated their victory in front of 24,258 fans, the largest crowd ever assembled for a women’s football game in Norway, the aftermath was bittersweet. Paralluelo, captain Alexia Putellas, and defender Ona Batlle’s contracts all expire in the summer, raising the possibility that this was their final match for the club. At the same time, it marks the Champions League swan song for Heaps, who scored in Lyonnes’ 2022 UWCL victory and is a trailblazer for U.S. players in Europe. She’ll take part in one last playoff match against Paris FC before returning home to Colorado to join Denver Summit FC.

"We need more games in which every fan in the stadium is cheering loudly against us, and I'm looking forward [to] seeing how our team performs and grows in these adverse conditions" – USWNT coach Emma Hayes

Next week, the USWNT will travel to São Paulo and Fortaleza for back-to-back friendlies against Brazil on June 6 and 9, almost a year out from the 2027 World Cup. While Brazil is a familiar opponent (the U.S. faced them in back-to-back friendlies in April 2025 and in the final of the 2024 Olympics), As Canarinhas are ranked sixth in the world and offer Hayes’ team another vigorous test as they continue their preparations for World Cup qualifiers this fall. 

With the three-peat of friendlies against Japan still relatively fresh, Hayes will have her eye on who performs well among her first-choice keepers, which young talents can rebound from a disappointing spring camp, and how her squad responds to a physical opponent with plenty of flair like Brazil.

While the roster drop is imminent, Man City midfielder Sam Coffey will sadly be unavailable after undergoing knee surgery. Due to injury, Gotham’s Rose Lavelle and Chelsea’s Naomi Girma are both questionable, which may leave room for a few surprises to make their case, including KC Current’s Croix Bethune and North Carolina Courage’s Ashley Sanchez, both of whom are in top-notch form with their clubs.

Sam writes: Spring is my season. From planting fresh flowers in my garden and going on long walks with Finn and Chester, to giving my wardrobe the refresh it deserves.

That’s where New Balance comes in. I always enjoy NB fits – their quality, comfort and effortless style. This spring, here are my five picks for you to level up your look:

Kansas City Current 🩵 3-1 Portland Thorns 🌹

This weekend, at the fortress that is CPKC Stadium, Portland striker Sophia Wilson scored a crafty give-and-go goal, beating Kansas City goalkeeper Lorena at the near post. However, the Current refused to be subdued, staging a comeback led by captain Lo’eau LaBonta who equalized before star Temwa Chawinga scored a clinical strike and later selflessly assisted winger Haley Hopkins on a breakaway in stoppage time to seal the win.

Bay FC 🌉 0-1 Chicago Stars ⭐️

The “Triple Espresso” comeback tour is clearly in full swing. Hours after Wilson scored her fourth goal of the year, Chicago forward Mallory Swanson notched a stunning left-footed strike – her first since giving birth to her daughter Josie and the Stars’ first goal since April 25.

Boston Legacy 💚 1-2 Seattle Reign 👑

Chicago wasn’t the only team to end their scoring drought this weekend. After five games without finding the net, the Reign clinched a 2-1 win against Boston, with goals from captain Sofia Huerta and rising talent Maddie Dahlien.

Utah Royals 💛 2-1 Denver Summit ⛰️

In one of the most surprising developments of the season, Utah seems unstoppable. After beating Denver 2-1, last year’s 12th-place Royals finished the weekend in first place after going nine games undefeated – a new club record. 

Club América Lift W Champions Cup After 5-3 Victory vs. Spirit 🏆

After a CONCACAF semi-final in which they beat NWSL Champions Gotham FC, Club América earned their first international title with a dramatic 5-3 win against the Washington Spirit in Pachuca, Mexico over the weekend. While América scored twice in the first half, a long-range shot from Sofia Cantore and a brace from Rosemonde Kouassi helped give the Spirit a 3-2 advantage. But Brazil’s Geyse ignited a second-half comeback for América, helping them to win and book their place in the 2027 FIFA Champions Cup and 2028 Club World Cup. Catch the highlights and trophy lift.

North Korea Claims 1-0 Victory in AFC Champions League Final 🇰🇵

This year’s AFC Champions League delivered a historic moment as North Korean side Naegohyang made a rare visit to South Korea – the first by any North Korean sports team since 2018. The team’s journey included a 2-1 semifinal win over South Korean club Suwon FC and culminated in a 1-0 victory in the final over Tokyo Verdy Beleza, which secures the team qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. 

Charlton Win 2-1 vs. Leicester on Penalties to Clinch WSL Promotion ❤️

After a 120-minute stalemate, the first-ever promotion playoff final was decided on penalties, with WSL 2 side Charlton sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory. Thanks to some legendary shot-stopping from goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse, her side will join the top flight, which is expanding from 12 to 14 teams. Leicester City, who fought valiantly throughout, will compete in the second tier next season.

World Sevens Football 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (Thursday-Saturday, DAZN) 

The third edition of the action-packed 7x7 tournament is about to take London by storm, featuring eight top teams, including Chelsea and Manchester United. On May 28 and 29, fans will be treated to round-robin group stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi‑finals on Saturday, ahead of the crowning of the W7F Champions later that day.

USL Super League Final: Lexington SC 💚 vs. Carolina Ascent 💜 (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, Peacock)

This weekend, the 2026 Gainbridge Super League final kicks off with Lexington SC hosting Carolina Ascent FC in what is sure to be a close battle (their regular-season record against each other is one win, one loss, and one draw). To reach the first championship final in both club’s history, Lexington claimed a 2-0 victory against Dallas Trinity, while Carolina earned a 1-0 win against Sporting JAX.

FA Cup Final: Brighton 💙 vs. Manchester City 🩵 (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

After clinching the WSL title, City have their eye on a domestic double and a fourth FA Cup trophy at Wembley. Meanwhile, the Seagulls have grown in confidence after beating City in their title-winning season, toppling second-place Arsenal, and knocking out Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final to compete for their first major trophy in club history. 

Angel City 😇 vs. North Carolina Courage 💙 (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, Victory+) 

Buoyed by two wins in two games and the blistering form of attacker Ashley Sanchez, the Courage head to the City of Angels for their final game before the break. Waiting for them is ACFC, who have dropped to 11th place, and will be hoping to jumpstart their attack and recapture their early-season momentum. 

This week’s question: Ewa Pajor finished the 2025-2026 UWCL season with 11 goals and secured the Golden Boot. What team did she score her first goal against in this season’s Champions League campaign?

Respond to this email (or reply here) for a chance to win a coveted TWG patch.

Last week’s answer: We asked what WSL/WSL 2 team has been promoted and relegated the most times, and the correct answer is Bristol City.

Congrats to Lee Breisacher, who was the first person to respond correctly. Lee, your patch is on its way! 💌

Kristy writes: Hi Sam! I’m currently at the Museum of Natural History in NYC, and they have a new exhibit called “Goal Zone” where they have lots of cool interactive soccer-themed games like table soccer, foosball, soccer video games, and shot speed where they record your shot in mph, etc. 

But the most exciting aspect of Goal Zone is the giant screen that is showing tons of soccer highlights. The majority of the highlights are from NWSL games including my team, Gotham!!!! This gave me chills because it just shows how the women’s game has grown and it just gives me such joy knowing that all the young boys and girls entering will know BOTH women’s and men’s soccer! Jaedyn Shaw, Michelle Cooper, and Barbra Banda highlights overtook highlights of Messi! 

Props to the Museum of Natural History! It was a weekend full of women’s soccer with the Lyon vs. Barca game, and Gotham and Spirit playing in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup! My women’s soccer-loving heart is full! Sam, Becky and Lynn – thanks so much for leading the way and being incredible role models for us all! 

Go Bats! 

Kristy Drobik

Sam writes: Hi Kristy, It is really exciting to see women’s soccer getting this kind of spotlight at the Museum of Natural History! We’ve come so far in terms of progress, so discovering an exhibit that treats the women’s game with real care and attention to detail is so good to hear. I love the thought of Rose and Sonnett being celebrated for Gotham (go Bats!). They’re truly deserving of that recognition. Now I know what I’ll be adding to my list the next time I visit NYC!

Thanks for sharing and tuning in! We will be covering all the latest soccer news, including the CONCACAF W Champions Cup and more on today’s “Good Vibes,” so be sure to check it out. <3

Love,
Sam

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