A USWNT Legend's Number Gets Retired 🥲

Plus, one of the best goals you'll ever see.

September 09, 2025

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

The WSL opening weekend did not disappoint, with loads of goals from Arsenal in a win over Michele Kang’s London City Lionesses, Chelsea picking up right where they left off last season against Manchester City, and an Alyssa Thompson sighting at Stamford Bridge that had Angel City fans feeling all the feels. I am really excited for Alyssa, but super interested to think about how the NWSL can adjust the salary cap rules in order to retain top talent. 

There’s a new episode of Good Vibes FC dropping today, and Becky and I are chatting all about this. Should the salary cap be totally abolished? Or are there other options we can glean from other successful American sports leagues, like a soft cap or exceptions for a franchise player? I’m still learning about all of this, but I’d love to hear what you think! Come to our Discord channel and join the discussion and your ideas could be featured on a podcast episode!

Later this week, make sure to check out our Friendlies interview with Morgan Gautrat, who has just joined Newcastle United in the WSL2. This chat was such a walk down memory lane for both of us, as Morgan and I grew up playing on the USYNTs together. I can’t wait for you all to hear it!

Thank you all so much for being here.

Love,
Sam

NWSL Matchday 19: Alex Morgan’s No. 13 Jersey Retired in San Diego 🥲

San Diego Wave 0-3 Houston Dash

San Diego Wave retired the jersey of inimitable club veteran and USWNT legend Alex Morgan on Sunday evening. It was a festive occasion, befitting the legacy the Cali-born striker leaves behind, but it ended in misery for the third-place NWSL side. USWNT forward Yazmeen Ryan scored her third of the year for the Dash, as ninth-place Houston put three goals past the home side. After finishing 2024 in last place and struggling at times in ‘25, the Dash are just one spot below the playoff positions and undefeated in their last six games. 

Washington Spirit 2-0 Seattle Reign

Last season’s second-place squad (in the Shield race as well as the Championship) have gone through myriad changes in the past year, but one thing remains the same: the Spirit are one of the best teams in the NWSL, and show signs of leveling up ahead of the playoffs. They beat a solid Seattle Reign 2-0 at Audi Field this weekend thanks to a brace of goals from U.S. phenom Trinity Rodman, who according to Opta, has fired off 23 shots since returning to the pitch—the most in the league in that timeframe—with five of those attempts going in, which is second only to Chicago’s Brazilian forward Ludmila’s six in that timespan. With that, the Spirit are now undefeated in their last seven regular season games (and undefeated in nine across all comps).

Chicago Red Stars 5-2 Orlando Pride 

Orlando Pride fans may be in full panic mode after the reigning champions stretched their winless run to seven games this weekend, and collected their worst defeat of 2025 against Chicago. The silver lining? Mexican forward and former Tigres’ goalscoring prodigy Lizbeth Ovalle made her debut for the Pride, after briefly breaking the world transfer record when she moved to NWSL at the end of August. The Stars, on the other hand, are still sitting toward the bottom of the table but gaining momentum. They’re undefeated in six games with five draws and now a statement victory against the Pride.

Gotham 3-1 Angel City FC

It’s Rose Lavelle’s world, we’re just living in it. Skyline Messi, the pride of Cincinnati and Gotham’s midfield maestro provided the second of three goals in her team’s 3-1 come-from-behind victory against Angel City. The visitors from California were hoping for a big win after Alyssa Thompson’s news-breaking departure, but succumbed to the Bats in New Jersey while hanging on to ninth place. 

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🇺🇸 USMNT Only: Your weekly update on the most important topics in the U.S. men’s game, all leading up to next year’s World Cup.

USWNT’s Alyssa Thompson Signs with Chelsea for Club-Record Fee 🇺🇸💙

Twenty-year-old Cali-born winger Alyssa Thompson is the latest USWNT star to head to Chelsea after signing for the treble-winning Blues last Thursday. Following weeks of speculation, fan-angst in Los Angeles (where the 2023 No. 1 draft pick had six goals and two assists for Angel City this season), and even an airport sighting, Thompson's move was confirmed for just under $1.1 million, with a source close to Angel City noting that it was closer to $1.5 million.

While that fee didn’t set the international transfer record (which was broken again for a fourth time in ‘25 on Friday when French midfielder Grace Geyoro signed for newly promoted WSL side London City Lionesses), it did set a new club record at Chelsea. Now, Thompson joins fellow Californians and USWNT young stars Naomi Girma and Catarina Macario in London (where she debuted for the USWNT in Oct. ‘22) ahead of another title-defending year for the WSL giants. 

  • Sam’s Take 🗣️: Tune in to Good Vibes FC today to hear Becky and I break down Alyssa's move and discuss the NWSL's options to keep star players in the league!

European Round Up: New Seasons Start in England, France & Germany 🏟️

Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City 💙🩵

To the joy of fans of the game worldwide, Australian striker Sam Kerr (who suffered an ACL injury in January 2024) was back in the squad for the Blues in their first match of the new season, as the Londoners started the year with a win against Manchester City. Playing at Stamford Bridge, the victory keeps Chelsea undefeated in WSL action since May 2024 and featured multiple new faces, including Alyssa Thompson, who was introduced to fans ahead of the game. 

Arsenal 4-1 London City Lionesses ❤️🩵

Starting off your top-flight tenure with a test against the reigning champions of Europe is a tough task, and the newly-promoted London City Lionesses did struggle in their debut against the Gunners. Still, their journey in England’s top division has high potential; they’ve stacked their team with top talent, including the latest world-transfer record holder, French midfielder, Grace Geyoro, who didn’t appear in Saturday’s squad. Speaking of big transfers, the second of four players to break the transfer record in 2025, 21-year-old Canadian forward Olivia Smith, scored the first of four goals for Arsenal.

  • Sam’s Take 🗣️: It was fun to watch Michele Kang's team take on Arsenal, but there was a noticeable difference in quality and depth between the two sides. Arsenal's ability to sub on players like Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord, and Stina Blackstenius is just not something many WSL teams besides Chelsea will be able to match. With a long season ahead, depth will only become more and more critical.

More: English midfielder Ella Toone scored for Manchester United in a 4-0 win against Leicester City, one year since her father’s passing, and made a tribute to him in her celebration.❣️

Germany’s Stadiums Are Setting Records 🇩🇪

Women’s football in Germany is off to a record-breaking start this season. In the top-flight Frauen-Bundesliga, the holding title-holders Bayern Munich beat fellow heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in front of a league-wide record 57,762 fans on Saturday. On top of that, Canadian center-back Vanessa Gilles scored Bayern’s first goal of the match, which was also her first since moving to Munich from Lyon this past summer. 

Bayern’s record-setting home opener adds to the immense crowd present to cheer on fan-owned club Union Berlin, who drew Nürnberg 1-1 in their top-flight debut. The newly promoted German side has the fourth-highest average attendance in Europe. 🙌🏻

Lily Yohannes Scores in Regular Season Debut in France 🇺🇲🇫🇷

The most decorated team in Europe has undergone some seismic changes over the past few months. That includes a name change from Lyon to OL Lyonnes, further differentiating them from their male counterparts, as well as a massive offseason overhaul to their roster. Sunday in Lyon, newly signed U.S. midfielder Lily Yohannes provided the team’s third goal in a 3-1 victory against Marseille, marking a momentous regular season debut for the pride of Springfield, Va.

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Goals of the Weekend, Presented by New Balance 💥

News and Notes 🗞️

💰 For the first time, footballers in England’s top two divisions—the WSL and WSL2—will receive a minimum salary. The exact number is not disclosed, but is believed sufficient to negate the need for second-division players to seek part-time work outside of sport to support themselves. 

🏆 The second-ever edition of the Concacaf W Champions Cup completed matchday 2 of 5 in the group stage last week and featured wins for all NWSL sides—Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit and Gotham—as well as a massive 9-0 victory for Mexican giants Club América.

💙 On Sunday, Everton’s new signing Ornella Vignola scored a hat-trick at Anfield, the first by an Everton player at the ground in 94 years. Even better? It was against crosstown rivals Liverpool. You couldn’t script it any better.

🏟️ Starting in 2026, the Chicago Stars will have a new home stadium. The 13th-place squad will play along the lake at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.

  • Sam’s Take 🗣️: It was cool to see the team at this stadium this past weekend – the water view is beautiful! I can't say I'm totally sold on the move, though I hope the location will be more accessible for fans. The switch from grass at SeatGeek to turf at Northwestern seems unfortunate as well, plus playing at a college stadium feels amateur compared to something like CPKC.

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome back to our weekly trivia game!

This week’s question: In 2023, Alyssa Thompson made NWSL history when she was selected first in the draft straight out of high school, becoming the first player to ever do so. The No. 4 draft pick from that year, who went on to be named Rookie of the Year, has also found herself playing in England’s top flight for one of Chelsea’s rivals. Who is that player?

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

Last week’s answer: The German club with the second-most Women’s Champions League titles after Lyon is Eintracht Frankfurt.

We didn’t receive any correct answers to last week’s question, but better luck to everyone this time around!

Moment of Joy 🤸

In an emotional moment last week, Orlando Pride midfielder Luana returned to the pitch for the first time in 18 months following her battle with cancer. She subbed on in the 70th minute of the Pride’s CONCACAF W Champions Cup against Alajuelense and was embraced by her teammates. 💜

📝 Want to be featured in next week’s TWG newsletter? Send Sam an email! All your questions, comments, and dog (or wedding) photos can be sent to [email protected]

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