All articles tagged with #nwsl
A record 63,000-plus fans filled Mile High Stadium for the NWSL Denver Summit opener between the Denver Summit and Washington Spirit, setting a league attendance mark; the 0-0 draw will see the Summit play two home games at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park before moving to a temporary venue during construction of a permanent home.
Former Stanford standout Jasmine Aikey, winner of the MAC Hermann Trophy, will make her professional debut with expansion Denver Summit FC in their season opener against Bay FC, a milestone for the young club and a testament to her storied college career.
Seattle Reign FC signed forward Ruby Hladek to a short-term contract through June 2026 after she joined preseason as a non-roster invitee. The Utah Valley product racked up 24 goals and 32 assists in 60 starts for UVU, helping the Wolverines win three straight WAC titles and finishing as UVU’s all-time assists leader; she had a breakout 2025 with 15 goals and 13 assists, earning WAC Offensive Player of the Year as she begins her professional career with the Reign.
The Portland Thorns named Robert Vilahamn as head coach, pending his P1 visa, bringing experience from Tottenham Women and BK Häcken as they push for success in the 2026 NWSL season, which opens March 13 at Washington Spirit.
Nike released new primary, secondary, and third kits for all 16 NWSL clubs for the 2026 season, with designs inspired by each club’s roots, neighborhoods, and history; expansion clubs Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC also rolled out inaugural secondary kits, and the regular season opens March 13 with Washington Spirit hosting Portland Thorns FC.
A look at five standout NWSL 2026 kits as teams unveil new designs, including Racing Louisville’s Disco Kit inspired by the city’s disco history, North Carolina Courage’s Become Kit with a carnivorous-plant theme, Washington Spirit’s Spirit in Bloom cherry-blossom motif, Gotham FC’s Lady Liberty Kit, and the Chicago Stars’ more traditional Gameday DNA kit. The debut of third kits for Boston Legacy and Denver Summit is noted, with commentary on how each design ties (or struggles to tie) to its city and brand.
Sports Illustrated ranks all 16 2026 NWSL kits, crowning Orlando Pride’s Unity secondary kit for its meaningful Pulse anniversary tribute, with standout picks including Washington Spirit’s bold Spirit in Bloom primary and Gotham’s Lady Liberty third kit among others.
Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman signed a three-year deal worth over $2 million per season, making her the highest-paid women’s soccer player globally, enabled by the NWSL’s High Impact Player Rule. The move preserves a top star in the U.S. and cements her as a role model, even as the pact draws scrutiny from the players’ union amid ongoing debates over pay and league salary rules.
Trinity Rodman’s three-year extension with the Washington Spirit reportedly exceeds $2 million per year with bonuses, shattering the women’s football salary record and reigniting debate over the NWSL salary cap. The league previously vetoed an earlier contract, prompting the High Impact Player rule and a grievance from the NWSL Players Association, while Spirit officials insist the deal reflects elite talent and commitment to the club. Rodman, 23, Olympic gold medallist and daughter of Dennis Rodman, remains with the Spirit after weighing European interest and potential moves away from the NWSL.
Trinity Rodman signed a three-year contract with Washington Spirit reportedly worth about $2 million per year, making her the world's highest-paid female footballer and keeping her with the Spirit through 2028 amid a wave of big-money moves in the NWSL enabled by the league's High Impact Player rule.
Trinity Rodman signed a three-year deal with the Washington Spirit averaging over $1 million per year, making her the highest-paid player in women’s soccer. The move follows transfer rumors and comes as the NWSL salary cap rises (to $3.5M in 2026, then to $5.1M by 2030). The 2026 season starts March 13. Rodman, an Olympic gold medalist, called the agreement a game-changing moment and said it opens doors for American players.
The NWSL has introduced a 'Beckham rule'-like mechanism allowing teams to pay up to $1 million outside the salary cap for high-impact players, despite opposition from the players union, aiming to retain top talent and grow the league.
The NWSL announced a new High Impact Player Rule allowing clubs to exceed salary caps by up to $1 million for top players, aiming to attract and retain elite talent amid increased league investment, starting July 1, 2026.
Sophia Wilson, a key player for the Portland Thorns and USWNT star, has exercised her 2026 player option to return to Portland, bringing her extensive accolades and leadership back to the team after maternity leave, aiming to help the Thorns contend for another championship in 2026.
The NWSL faces a surge of anti-trans bigotry fueled by a controversial editorial from a player and right-wing media, prompting league and player responses emphasizing inclusivity and condemning hate, amid ongoing debates over transgender participation in women's sports.