My family and I spent Mother’s Day together on Sunday watching the FA Cup semifinal between Man City and Chelsea. While we were cheering hard for Sam Kerr and the Blues, I’m sure City fans absolutely loved that comeback win – what a moment! Sam did amazing, scoring a goal and creating tons of chances, but Bunny Shaw’s game winner was a sight to behold. As a former City player myself, I’m happy for them and loved watching them celebrate their league title last week. 🏆

It’s a big week at TWG headquarters, and we’re buzzing. Becky just dropped an all-new episode of “Teaming Up” featuring former USWNT player and friend of the pod Meghan Klingenberg. Today, on “Good Vibes,” Reba and I are breaking down Temwa Chawinga’s resurgence, Man City being crowned WSL champions, and so much more! And to wrap up the week, get ready for “Friendlies” with Houston Dash defender and longtime NWSL fan favorite, Paige Nielsen, on Thursday. 🎙️

I’m also excited to spend some time in Boston this week to see family and celebrate my husband Pat finishing his first year of law school! Really looking forward to visiting some of my old haunts… like my favorite bar, Corner Tavern, and the pool at MIT. We’re also heading to see Boston Legacy tonight at Gillette Stadium! Keep an eye on TWG socials for some BTS from the game. 💚

Thanks for being part of this community! 🫶

Love,
Sam

P.S. TWG kept it real on Mother’s Day… and Baby Horse has a baby on the way! 🐴💫

😇 Angel City 1-2 San Diego Wave 🌊

The City of Angels and San Diego have long shared a fierce sporting history, and this SoCal match-up was no exception. In a back-and-forth contest that saw both sides trade big chances, forward Dudinha netted her third goal of the season, only for Angel City to answer five minutes later when Emily Sams buried her first LA goal off a perfectly weighted ball from captain Sarah Gorden.

The deadlock held until the 81st minute, when rookie Mimi Van Zanten seized her moment, scoring her first-ever NWSL goal. With the SoCal derby win, the Wave broke a three‑game losing streak, while ACFC slid to 11th after a frustrating four‑match slump.

Read: With the Mewis and Thompson sisters already etched in NWSL history, the Van Zanten sisters are the latest family duo stepping into the spotlight. 👯‍♀️

🦇 Gotham FC  1-1 Boston Legacy 💚

In a festive rematch from opening weekend featuring everyone from USWNT manager Emma Hayes to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani in attendance, Boston built on the momentum of their first NWSL win last week, equalizing against the reigning champions. In the 20th minute, Jaedyn Shaw pounced on a rebound from goalkeeper Casey Murphy’s initial stop, opening the scoring with her third goal of the season and 23rd in the NWSL in all comps. But Boston responded just three minutes later, as Spanish midfielder Alba Caño converted her second goal of the year, and the Legacy managed to hold off Gotham, riding out the pressure. 

The match also showcased Mamdani’s affordability initiative with thousands of $5 tickets sold out in under an hour, helping draw 11,038 fans, the fourth‑largest regular‑season crowd in Gotham history.

More: Midge Purce might not see this match-up as a rivalry quite yet, but Gotham could have fooled us. 😏

🔥 Even More Drama Around the League

Louisville stunned league leaders Portland 3-1, thanks to a Katie O’Kane brace and USWNT forward Emma Sears’ stoppage-time breakaway. Summit midfielder Delanie Sheehan headed home her first goal of the season against her former club, Houston, to deliver a 4-1 win to Denver. And last year’s Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga not only opened her 2026 scoring account, but did so in style with a hat‑trick, giving Kansas City a decisive 3-0 victory against Chicago. 

In 2025, Manchester City ended their WSL campaign dejected: injuries piling up, Champions League qualification slipping away and the lingering sting of losing the previous year’s WSL title to Chelsea on goal difference. As we near the end of the 2025-2026 season, the mood could not be more different (as newly crowned champ Sam Coffey can attest) with City claiming their first Women’s Super League trophy in a decade, finally breaking Chelsea’s six‑year hold on the title.

Here’s how the club transformed from a side on the ropes to champions once again:

🫡 A New Coach for a New Era

In June 2025, City brought in Andrée Jeglertz, a three-time league champion in the Swedish top division and Champions League winner, who led his team to European glory in 2004 with a squad including Brazil’s Marta (yes, that Marta). Over the season, he steadied the club and reshaped City’s internal dynamics, favoring an open-door approach and direct communication, which made a difference compared to his predecessor whose relationships with players could be strained.

🎯 Smart Recruitment to Add Squad Depth

While City’s 2024–2025 campaign was derailed by injuries, the club recruited smartly over the summer, reinforcing their back line with Canadian international Jade Rose and adding Swiss attacker Iman Beney, fresh off an impressive Euros. They also signed Brazilian star Kerolin from the North Carolina Courage, and after months of pursuit, secured USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey in January, giving the team a steel spine it once lacked which allowed them to turn to reserves when faced with injuries.

⏳Fewer Fixtures Than Their WSL Counterparts

Another key factor in City’s first WSL title since 2016 was the simple advantage of playing fewer matches than Chelsea, Arsenal and United. Finishing fourth last season, and missing out on UWCL qualification, was a bitter pill, but it gave City space to reset. Without a congested European schedule, they could concentrate fully on the WSL and domestic cups, rebuild confidence, and demonstrate consistency without the strain of extra fixtures and travel across Europe.

Chelsea 2-3 Manchester City

In the greatest shock of the weekend, WSL champions Manchester City overcame a 2-0 deficit away at Stamford Bridge to beat the six-time holders 3-2 in the dying moments of the FA Cup semifinal. The Blues came firing out of the gate with an early goal from Erin Cuthbert, followed by Sam Kerr’s clutch header to cushion their advantage, marking the eighth goal in eight games for the Chelsea striker.

But City refused to fold. Late substitute Mary Fowler breathed hope into her team, scoring in the 87th minute just 60 seconds after stepping onto the pitch. Striker Bunny Shaw then forced extra time by equalizing off a header from another inspired late sub, 19‑year‑old Beney. Then in overtime, City’s Yui Hasegawa intercepted a wayward pass, whipped in a cross, which Shaw headed home, completing the comeback. Adding even more intrigue, Shaw, the hero of the night, is rumored to be weighing a $1.36 million move to Chelsea this summer, the very club she just knocked out of the FA Cup.

Liverpool 2-3 Brighton

In the weekend’s other semifinal, Brighton mounted a comeback of their own, overturning a two‑goal deficit against Liverpool. In the 95th minute, super‑sub Nadine Noordam buried a stunning strike to silence the Reds, sending the Seagulls to their first‑ever FA Cup final at Wembley and putting a major trophy within reach.

FA Cup Canon

England’s FA Cup is the ultimate equalizer: historic, unpredictable and open to clubs from any tier brave enough to dream, with a women’s competition that dates back to 1971.

Ahead of the May 31 final vs. Man City, Brighton are among only three teams to hand City a defeat in their title-winning season. But their northern neighbors are still favorites, as they chase a fourth FA Cup and domestic double, while Brighton would love nothing more than a dramatic upset to close out a landmark year. 

National Women’s Soccer League

San Diego Wave 🌊 vs. Washington Spirit 💛 (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, Victory+)

Fresh off their win vs. ACFC, the Wave look to keep their momentum going against Washington, who are unbeaten since March 13. They will face USWNT star Trinity Rodman, and 18-year-old Claudia Martinez, who is now the fourth Spirit player with three goals this year after scoring the winner against Seattle. 

Seattle Reign 👑 vs. Gotham FC 🦇 (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, Victory+)

In this rematch of the 2023 NWSL Championship, which saw Gotham claim their first trophy in franchise history, Seattle will aim to secure their first win since March 28 amid a four-game winless run to stay above the playoff line. After battling to a tie against Boston, Gotham are undefeated in four with three wins, looking sharp with Chelsea star Guro Reiten settling seamlessly into the team.

Women’s Super League

West Ham ⚒ vs. Man City 🩵 (Saturday, 8 a.m. ET)

After securing the WSL trophy, City play their final match against 10th-placed West Ham with Bunny Shaw chasing a third straight Golden Boot. While the title may be settled, tune into the final matchday of the season for the emotional celebrations and potential farewells if there are any summer trades on the horizon.

Chelsea 💙 vs. Man United 👹 (Saturday, 8 a.m. ET)

Ahead of Arsenal’s midweek clash with Everton, Chelsea remain second but could drop to third if their north London rivals take advantage. Regardless, the Blues face a must‑win scenario to lock in automatic Champions League qualification.

Liverpool ♥️ vs. Arsenal 🦖 (Saturday, 8 a.m. ET)

The Reds host the reigning Champions League holders, who have two matches left to secure their place in next year’s competition: tomorrow against Everton and this final‑day trip to Liverpool. The Gunners are favored in both, but any misstep could force them into a playoff route. It’s a path they know well: in 2024–2025, they became the first club to navigate every qualifying round to win the UWCL.

⚽️ Welcome home, U.S. Soccer! A first‑of‑its‑kind national training center is now officially open in Atlanta, uniting all 27 American national teams under one roof. Here’s how the vision became a reality.

💔 A heartbreak for Arsenal fans. After nine years in north London, Beth Mead has announced she will depart the club at the end of the season. She has 265 appearances for the Gunners and remains the only WSL player to accomplish this feat.

🏆 OL Lyonnes just won the Coupe de France! In her final season with the club, USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps helped the French side to their 11th title and their first since 2023.

🇸🇪 The first‑ever UEFA Europa Cup ended in an all‑Swedish showdown, and BK Häcken lifted the trophy after 19‑year‑old phenom Felicia Schröder delivered a hat‑trick against Hammarby.

🤩 When your favorite stars are starstruck and get to attend a surprise “secret” concert at the Teatre Grec de Barcelona…

This week’s question: With the first Women’s FA Cup in 1971, which team won eight titles while appearing in 10 of the first 11 finals?

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

Last week’s answer: In 2019, when Barcelona and Lyonnes went head-to-head in their first UWCL final, which players scored to secure Lyonnes a 4-1 win in Budapest? The correct answer was Dzsenifer Morazsan and Ada Hegerberg, who scored a hat-trick!

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

Jennifer writes: I have been listening to your show from the beginning and have really become a fan of women's soccer especially now that my daughter is a high school student playing on a club and for her school. When I was in school, there was no women's soccer in my high school, which is in a rural part of Washington State, so learning about soccer for the first time I think I really would have loved playing, but now I'm just a crazy fan! 

I appreciate how you all dive into the mentality of team culture and individual psychology; it helps to hear that even the pros have the same kind of mental angst that comes with making a roster, not making a roster, etc. That normalizes the teen girl experience. So much can be learned from continuing to work hard even when you don't quite make your goal the first time around, but maybe make it the second or third time, or how to deal with injury and disappointment. 

I have had this same question since becoming a fan but was reminded of it after you did a podcast with Becky after the women's team had an appearance in Nashville. It seemed like the perfect time to explain: Why do you call her Reba? How did Becky get that nickname? 

Sincerely,
Jennifer from Washington State

Sam writes: I’m so happy to hear you’ve been with TWG from the very beginning – and even happier to hear how involved you are in your daughter’s soccer journey. Having my parents show up for me and Kristie, and coach us, made such a difference growing up. And yes, I can absolutely confirm that pros get anxious too. That’s why so many players work with sports psychologists to navigate both the physical demands and the emotional highs and lows of the game.

As for your question, “Reba” is just an affectionate shorthand for Rebecca – a nickname Becky’s teammates started using years ago, and it just stuck. There might also be a Reba McEntire reference in here that I don't know about, but we'll have to ask Becky on the pod next week! But no matter what we call her – Becky, Reba, the People’s Captain – we’re so glad she’s part of TWG.

Thanks for writing in and sharing! 🫶

Love,
Sam

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