In less than two weeks, we’re heading to Denver for a TWG Live! featuring the Denver Summit. I cannot wait to tell the story of how this team came to be. From the promise of a women’s soccer-specific stadium, to breaking NWSL attendance records, to bringing midfielder Lindsey Heaps home from Europe… there’s so much to celebrate about this club. ⛰️

Since being back from my trip, I haven’t taken a single day with my dogs for granted. We’ve been going on long walks and soaking up the last bits of summer in Vermont. This weekend, I’m planning on taking them to Niquette Bay State Park for a hike and a swim, though I’m confident that they will both stay on shore and bark at me while I swim by myself. 🏊

If you haven’t had a chance to check out my “Friendlies” interview with Reign star Maddie Dahlien, it’s a great Friday afternoon listen, especially ahead of Seattle’s big game against Kansas City tomorrow. Maddie was so sweet, and I loved hearing about her admiration for Lynn. (Same, girl.) 💙

Have a great weekend! 🫶

Love,
Sam 

P.S. Four-legged fans matter too! We’re here for these pup kits that just dropped. 🐕

P.P.S. “She’s the Man.” “Doubled Teamed.” Certified classics, but if Lynn and I were film consultants, we’d definitely have some notes. 🎬

By Laura Swanbeck

Racing Louisville 💜 2-1 Seattle Reign FC 💙

In an intense battle of master versus protégé, Seattle, led by longstanding manager Laura Harvey, faced off against Louisville, coached by her former player Bev Yanez. The Reign started off strong with forward Maddie Mercado scooping up a rebound at the top of the box and burying her seventh goal of the season — a remarkable rise for a player who was loaned out to the USL just last year before becoming Seattle’s leading scorer.

But “Big Purp” refused to fold at home. USWNT star Emma Sears sparked the comeback, finishing an arching long ball in behind from Kayla Fischer. Then, defender Lauren Milliet darted up the wing, cutting the ball back for Sears, who double‑nutmegged the defender and goalkeeper in one fell swoop to earn a brace. This marked Sears’ fifth goal in the last three games and Louisville’s fourth-straight victory, a stunning turnaround for a side that was floundering only weeks ago.

Houston Dash 🧡 5-0 Chicago Stars 🌟

Meanwhile, in Houston it was the rookies who ran rampant versus Chicago with four recruits converting for the Dash. Forward Kat Rader secured her first career brace, while her second strike was pure class with a light touch lifted over her defender, followed by a half-volley hammered home. With nine goals this year, she is now within striking distance of Diana Ordóñez’s all-time record of 11 goals during her rookie season in 2022. Rader was also instrumental in the build-up of the third tally, finished by midfielder Linda Ullmark (fresh off a U-20 World Cup call-up). Forward Kate Faasse and Italian international Lisa Boattin added two more for good measure, but this one was over before halftime.

Despite another disappointing result for the Stars, a few silver linings remain: veteran Sam Staab celebrated 150 regular-season NWSL starts, while Michelle Alozie returned for her first game (ironically against her former side) after representing Nigeria at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Plus: Check out what the NWSL table looks like after Week 17. The Shield Standings Series, presented by CarMax. 📈

San Diego Wave 🌊 vs. Utah Royals FC 💛 (TONIGHT, 10 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

Kicking off the NWSL weekend, the Wave will host this season’s audacious underdogs — the Utah Royals — with just three points separating the sides. Off the back of a draw with Denver, San Diego will be eager to pull out all the stops to secure a win at home. Catarina Macario has yet to make her debut, which is concerning, both for her personally and the huge boost she’d offer the team in attack. In the meantime, the Wave’s youthful contingent has continued to step up, including 18-year-old forward Melanie Barcenas, who scored a left-footed rocket last match. However, Utah, led by Kate Del Fava, boast one of the league’s strongest backlines and will be out for revenge after their 2-1 loss against the Wave earlier in the season.

Portland Thorns 🌹 vs. Denver Summit ⛰️ (Saturday, 8:45 p.m. ET, ION)

Providence Park is sure to be buzzing this weekend with Denver captain Lindsey Heaps traveling to Portland, where she spent six formative seasons before joining Lyon. In a full-circle moment, USWNT legend Tobin Heath will also sign a one-day contract with Portland to officially retire as a Thorn.

With USWNT rising star Olivia Moultrie sidelined from injury, Portland will rely on their captain Jessie Fleming even more to anchor the midfield, while fans will champion newly returned wingers Caiya Hanks and Morgan Weaver. Conversely, Denver is coming off the back of an impressive draw against fifth-place San Diego with co-captain Janine Sonis having the best season of her career (eight goals and four assists) and Yazmeen Ryan’s form starting to heat up.

Angel City FC 😇 vs. Gotham FC 🦇 (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ION)

Despite the daunting task of going up against league leaders Gotham, Angel City has definite reason to feel hopeful. Attacking midfielder Ally Sentnor is back to scoring bangers from distance (her specialty!), ACFC has the third fewest goals against them this season and the return of Savy King will provide even more steadiness in defense. Striker Sydney Leroux will also offer another attacking option, as well as veteran leadership. Still, the Bats are firing on all cylinders, displaying incredible team chemistry. They’re the only NWSL team with all of their 11 players involved in the build-up to a goal this season (and they’ve now pulled this feat off twice).

In last week’s poll, we asked our readers who you thought would ultimately take home the NWSL Golden Boot from the top contenders this season. In the lead is North Carolina’s Ashley Sanchez with 34% of the vote, while Orlando’s Barbra Banda came in second with 24%. The Spirit’s Trinity Rodman (16%) — who is already smashing her own season-best scoring record — trailed in third, followed closely by Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga (14%).

While the Golden Boot race is still wide open, we couldn’t resist sharing some way-too-early picks for other season awards. 😅

Defender of the Year: Angel City’s Gisele Thompson deserves a shout, stepping up for both club and country in 2026. As a right-back, she’s scored four club goals (including this last-gasp strike against Orlando), while consistently shutting down serious attacking threats. Utah captain and fellow Iron Woman Kate Del Fava has been equally as pivotal, named twice to the NWSL Best XI of the Month as she anchors one of the league’s most-improved backlines. 

Midfielder of the Year: Since her trade from the Spirit, Croix Bethune has been so instrumental to Kansas City’s success and is currently tied with Portland’s Pietra Tordin for the most assists in 2026 (9). The Royals’ Mina Tanaka, has also impressed with six goals and four assists this season, while Claire Hutton has been a rock at new club Bay FC, leading the league in tackles won (51) and ranking second in interceptions (40). Additionally, if we could give Gotham’s superb midfield trio — Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw and Jaelin Howell — a collective award for their midfield dominance, don’t doubt we would. 💪

Goalkeeper of the Year: While it’s sometimes nerve-wracking to watch Ann-Katrin Berger’s daredevil ways, the Gotham goalkeeper has secured the most clean sheets this season (9) and has an 80% save percentage — the best in the NWSL. Bay FC’s Jordan Silkowitz hasn’t gone unnoticed either, racking up a league‑high 78 saves to establish herself as one of the breakout goalkeepers this season.

Who are your picks? Write us and let us know your favorites this year!

Before London City Lionesses was even a twinkle in her eye, Alexia Putellas captained Spain to their first World Cup title three years ago. One day after Sweden claimed Bronze, La Roja battled for global glory vs. England, exploiting a shaky backline sorely missing captain Leah Williamson, who was sidelined by an ACL tear.

Despite Mary Earps’ fearless heroics in goal, Spain would not be denied. When England’s Lucy Bronze lost possession in the midfield, Spanish defender Olga Carmona seized the moment, making a blazing run down the wing and slotting home the game winner. Check out highlights from this historic match above!

Tell us who the player (or former player) is based on their club history in chronological order:

Vancouver Whitecaps ➡️ Seattle Sounders Women ➡️ Boston Breakers ➡️ Seattle Reign ➡️ Western New York Flash ➡️ FC Kansas City ➡️ Orlando Pride ➡️ Angel City

Email us your best guess for the chance to receive a TWG patch. ✍️

Last week’s trivia winner: The player featured in last Friday’s trivia was Brazilian international Kerolin, who just departed Manchester City to join Barça.

Congratulations to Amaya Simoni-Walters, who was the first to respond correctly. Your TWG patch is on the way! 💌

With the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations done and dusted, I find myself so grateful for the caliber of talent we were able to witness this tournament — from the unstoppable Chawinga sisters to young Cameroonian goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, who seemed to defy gravity. Even amid broadcast hurdles and the lack of marketing and investment in the tournament, the very fact that there has been such an outcry that these players deserve better gives me hope for the future. 

What’s more, I am really excited to see the influx of African stars who will now be playing in the NWSL, where we can watch their talents week in and week out (and not have to scramble to find out where to stream!). In July, the Spirit signed a remarkable trio of talents — Algeria’s Mélissa Bethi, Burkina Faso’s Alimata Bélem, and Cameroonian Monique Ngock, who won Player of the Tournament at WAFCON. Seattle has also recruited Ivory Coast forward Ami Diallo, who helped her nation advance to the WAFCON quarterfinals.

They will join a growing contingent of African players who’ve made names for themselves in the U.S., including elite attackers Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda. But as the Athletic writes, new arrivals need time to acclimate and develop. Patience is key. And as more African players enter the NWSL, the league must confront its own inequities. The new High Impact Player (HIP) Rule, that includes criteria often giving Americans and Europeans an unfair advantage, risks sidelining African talent. Only by dismantling such inherent systemic biases can the league truly become a place where African athletes can access the same opportunities and be able to flourish. —LS

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