The match went to halftime early with three minutes remaining in stoppage time. It was later suspended and will be resumed at a date to be determined, from the time of suspension.

“The decision was made in consultation with match officials, medical personnel, and both clubs. Out of respect for the seriousness of the situation and in the best interests of players and staff, the match was abandoned,” the NWSL said in a statement provided to The Equalizer.

As first-half stoppage time began, DeMelo knelt to the ground and then sat down, looking dazed before losing consciousness. Both teams’ medical personnel reacted quickly and soon called for the EMTs. An ambulance was driven out onto the field, which DeMelo was eventually loaded into on a stretcher.

The league received heavy backlash and the Players’ Association called for a league policy change earlier in May for not suspending the game between Angel City and Utah Royals after Savy King suffered a cardiac episode on the field. The players were made to play the rest of the game despite agreeing it should have been suspended.

Sunday’s match marked the first time in league history that a game was suspended because of a medical incident.

Louisville’s players and coaches were visibly shaken in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Head coaches Laura Harvey and Bev Yanez could be seen discussing while DeMelo received medical attention before Harvey motioned to her team that they’d be going to halftime early. Reign players came back out onto the field after the suspension was announced to show appreciation for the fans, looking visibly emotional. Fans continued to mill about the stadium, looking somewhat confused after the suspension was announced over the speakers.

This is the second time this season that DeMelo left an NWSL match on a stretcher. In a March 22 game against Bay FC, DeMelo was stretchered off the pitch late in the first half. During that game, Racing Louisville said DeMelo was taken to the hospital “for a precautionary evaluation after experiencing lightheadedness during the first half.” She said about that incident that her heart rate wasn’t slowing, and she struggled to breathe for about three minutes. In May, DeMelo spoke to ESPN about being diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism last fall.

The NWSL Players Association released a statement on Monday morning that said: “Our hearts are with Savannah DeMelo and her family following last night’s game. Her health and well-being remain our top priority, and we are relieved she is receiving the medical attention she needs. Postponing the match was the right decision, as nothing is more important than the safety of Players and staff on the field. This is a challenging time for all those affected, and we ask for continued respect of everyone’s privacy.”

This post was updated to include the statement from the Players Association.

The playoff field has its first confirmed guest, and transfer rumors are swirling over Angel City. Meanwhile, the Sphere of Mediocrity grows ever larger.

Here’s how they shape up after most of Week 18:

Cream of the Crop

x-Kansas City Current (15-2-1, 46 pts; vs Courage, 2-0):  Temwa Chawinga did not score against the North Carolina Courage, but neither did the Courage. That leaves Chawinga with 11 goals while the Current have conceded only 10. Kayla Sharples continues to stay in the discussion for Defender of the Year, and even as it has taken Ally Sentnor some time to fully integrate into the attack, the defense has become a well-oiled machine, and the win over the Courage made the Current the first team to secure an official invite to the 2025 playoffs. The only bad news is that Esther Gonzalez scored for Gotham to edge ahead of Chawinga in the Golden Boot race.

Angel City wins two in a row as transfer rumors involving Alyssa Thompson heat up, the Kansas City Current clinch a playoff spot before Labor Day, bottom teams continue to make things interesting, and Racing Louisville drop yet more points in stoppage time.

Where does Angel City stand amidst Alyssa Thompson’s reported transfer interest?

Angel City earned a 2-1 win over California counterparts Bay FC, and now sit just outside the playoff line in ninth place. Monday night’s result, however, feels like a burial of the lede, as it was set in the backdrop of multiple departures. On Wednesday, the club announced the transfers of Alana Kennedy and Katie Zelem to the Lion City Lionesses for an unspecified fee. Those exits were soon overshadowed by bombshell reports of Chelsea’s interest in 20-year-old star winger Alyssa Thompson. The deal is reportedly in “advanced talks” prior to the FA Women’s Super League’s deadline day on September 4, as Thompson was an “excused absence” from Monday’s match.   

While the Wave are decent candidates for “most improved” team this year, Louisville’s push for a first-ever top-eight finish is the more compelling development. San Diego head coach Jonas Eidevall has benefited from the tactical groundwork laid by Landon Donovan last year and the signing of quality players such as Kenza Dali. He is a bit of a lucky general, which is no bad thing. By contrast, in Louisville, Bev Yanez has worked with largely the same squad as last year, finding small but essential improvements.

Racing again delivered an energetic, disciplined performance with effective counter-attacks that limited Orlando’s clear chances. Missing Marta but still fielding the electric Barbra Banda, Orlando remained a side packed with pace, power, and precision. Banda’s threat in behind is a problem for most defenses, yet Racing’s structure limited much of her influence.

Two saved penalties from Racing goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer kept them ahead until stoppage time, when Orlando finally broke through to earn a point and a result that was incredibly frustrating for Racing, considering the sheer effort and tenacity they displayed until the very end. Let’s break down how Racing’s defensive shape kept the Pride at bay.

With Friday’s victory, they’ve won four out of their last five matches for the first time in team history. In comparison, the only other club with 12 points over the same five-game stretch this season is the first-place Kansas City Current.

In Friday’s National Women’s Soccer League action, Racing Louisville defeated the Houston Dash 2-1 on the road in a rain-soaked affair that included two lengthy weather delays. The game was a battle between two teams who have been in the bottom-half of the table for the majority of the 2025 season so far, and the performances from both teams in this one certainly reinforced their places in the standings. That is, neither team impressed, and at times, this game was a hard watch. 

Simply put, it’s tough to enjoy a match when both teams are plagued by disorganization on both ends of the field.

Still, in the aftermath of this game, there are a few key takeaways to keep in mind as the season unfolds – particularly for Racing.

Jordyn Bloomer is a viable option in net 

Ahead of this match, Louisville’s No. 1 option in goal, Katie Lund, was ruled out with a hip injury. That saw the end of Lund’s record-breaking 79-straight starts and 7,110 consecutive minutes played among all goalkeepers. A such, head coach Bev Yanez was forced to look at Racing’s goalkeeping depth chart for the first time since October 16, 2021, which is when Lund’s streak started. 

Fourth-year player Jordyn Bloomer, who had never started an NWSL regular season game before this one, was given the start. And after her performance, it was clear that she was ready for the moment. 

New kits can only mean one thing: Kit rankings! Who delivered and which clubs got it totally wrong? Allow me to do my annual moonlighting as a fashion critic, through the lens of an NWSL expert.

We’re going worst to first here on each new kit:

14. Chicago Stars

Look, some of this is about a rebrand that is a downgrade and never needed to happen, but the kit itself is also a far cry from the days of standard-setting creativity found in the “Elevated” kit or even the “Foundation” kit. Chicago once set the bar in branding and kits. Now, the “Stars” have “liquid metal-like patterns symbolizes the relentless intensity that lies within.”

Luckily, their primary jersey is great. Here’s to hoping they were that blue one as much as possible in 2025.

13. NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham and Nike got it right by going back to the Sky Blue FC roots with this color palette, and that should be the standard going forward. The light blue and black play off each other nicely, and they will always contrast enough to serve as the primary color of a separate kit.

That said, it’s impossible to look past the shoulder-pad vibes here. Are shoulder pads in again? I’m saying no.

12. North Carolina Courage

Utilizing a bold red — an actual color in the team crest — is a step up from last year’s dip into the world of pink, and the marketing around this jersey as having “subtle rosettes, the unique markings found on lionesses — symbols of both power and grace,” all sounds great.

From a distance, however, those details are unlikely to show up, and this could look like the early NWSL days of red color blocks.

11. Racing Louisville FC

On the one hand, I like this kit. On the other hand, I want more from it.

I, among others, have been begging Louisville for a real take on a mint kit, and this is it from the club and Nike. The expectation around that was for a lighter, ‘minty’ green rather than this darker hue, but the team already has a light-colored kit, so this had to be a darker color.

Green and black go great together, so there’s that. They beat Boston and Denver to this colorway, too, so points to Louisville. Unfortunately, this is not really a mint kit, with the NWSL/Nike marketing even mentioning “hints of mint green.” It’s OK, but it isn’t a home run and seems off brand.

10. Washington Spirit

Obnoxiously bright yellow is back in the nation’s capital, and at least this time it looks better than last year’s gradient template that unfortunately had to be worn in a final.

Still, it’s hard to know what’s going on here. It has been two years since Spirit owner Michele Kang said the team’s black-and-white logo marked a “rebrand in progress.” Since then, they’ve stuck with black and loud yellow, but they haven’t made any big, formal announcements about long-term branding.

The yellow remains, and the best explanation we have is ‘just because.’ I really don’t hate it, although it’s hard not to see this as an Australia kit.

9. Houston Dash

Well, they certainly tried something different. The Dash will wear purple for the first time because… well, why not? Hard to say. Credit to the Dash for leaning into their recent ethos: “The kit represents organizing the chaotic energy to create a cosmic storm and a new beacon of hope for the club.”

I guess? There’s literally almost nothing they’d want to repeat about last year, so any fresh start is a good one. The socks stand out. I don’t love this having nothing to do with the actual Dash branding, but alternate jerseys are aloud to do that sometimes.

8. Bay FC

Speaking of on-brand, Bay FC gets its first kit in actual team colors in year two of operation. Last year’s offering was abysmal – so much so that the white jersey also got replaced in 2025 – but it was always going to be boring due to production cycles of two-plus years and a shorter timeline on an expansion decision.

Let’s focus on the new primary, the navy blue: The blue and red play off each other nicely, and the explanation that nine lines represent the nine counties of the Bay is at least something localized. However, the centered badge above the Nike Swoosh is bizarre.

7. Portland Thorns

This is a true middle-ground kit. Is it bad? No. Is it amazing or creative? Also no. Would I objectively wear it? Yes, I think so.

Portland is one of the most storied franchises in the NWSL, so consistency isn’t a bad thing. The Thorns have leaned into black as a primary for the better part of a decade now, and there’s nothing wrong with what they’ve done here. It is infinitely better than whatever that green kit was last year.

6. San Diego Wave

The water look might take some getting used to at first, but two things jump out about the design:

One, it actually exists. The loud pink alternate was cool and all, but it was just a gradient template like the rest of the league. This jersey at least tries to be something. Which leads to point No. 2.

The storytelling earns points here. San Diego won the entire 2024 kit rollout with its bold, colorful Del Sol Kit that represented the gorgeous skies of the area. This Altamar Kit represents the sea, completing the collection of sun and sea. What better describes San Diego?

5. Seattle Reign FC

Yes, it’s a white (sponsor-less) kit, but the gold accents and blue trim really make this Reign kit stand out.

This is a crisp, modern take on the classic Reign brand, one that was mercilessly chopped to pieces for a few years by its French overlords before returning last year. Maybe I’m guilty of nostalgia with rating this so highly, but I suspect I am not alone.

4. Utah Royals FC

Putting aside the sponsor here – which isn’t a heavy factor in the other kits – the actual design of the whole combination is great. The Utah mountains and terrain are always worth highlighting, the blue and yellow pop – great choice to go with yellow socks – and the use of a secondary logo really works well in this case, considering it is the shape of the state.

The designers don’t control the sponsors. This design and color combination gets high marks.

3. Angel City FC

Don’t call this black-and-white kit boring. It has a classic look with enough detail to be interesting, from the LA-area landmarks in the toile pattern to near-perfect execution of Sol Rosa pink accents. The V-neck was a very smart choice here.

If you had told me Angel City was going to ditch a Sol Rosa-based kit for white, I would have been mad. But seeing what they did makes a big difference. This is game-ready and street-ready, which should have mass appeal.

2. Orlando Pride

Remember how that one leaked image made it look like the Pride were going to wear blue? Me either.

Orlando’s new purple kit is going to be its primary, shifting the thoughtful peach outfit to its rightful place as a secondary kit. The purple hue is on point, the light blue accents – pulling from the original 2016 Lake Eola inspiration – are great complements, and the iridescent crest meant to represent the Shield and NWSL Championship double is a nice touch (still don’t like centered crests, though).

Take a look at all the new kits together, and Orlando’s really stands out, especially as Louisville leans away from purple — for now.

1. Kansas City Current

They just had to do it — and they finally did. Kansas City, the team whose motto was “Teal Rising” — with no other teams in the league utilizing teal — kept failing to deliver a truly teal kit. Now it’s here, and it should be a hit.

The details are cool, although (like others in this list) they won’t show up on TV: The Teal Town Kit features a map view of Kansas City and the Missouri River, and the Current’s crest sits over the location of CPKC Stadium.

It’s a distinct color. Who would have ever thought teal and red work? I was skeptical a few years ago, but the important thing is that they’ve owned it.

The array of kits ranges from unique colors, like the Kansas City Current rolling out an all-teal kit for the first time, to bold diversions like the Houston Dash wearing purple.

Importantly, the updates to the secondary kits (Bay FC and league champion Orlando Pride will wear their new jerseys as primary kits) give each team a completely customized collection for the first time in league history. Nike and the NWSL launched a new era of their 12-year partnership last year with a custom jersey for each team, but the 2024 secondary kits were all template holders as a bridge to get to these new kits in 2025. From here, teams are expected to get one new kit each year, alternating between primary and secondary.

Goalkeeper jerseys have also been updated in 2025.

For the first time, fans can purchase authentic versions of jerseys in addition to replicas, consistent with other major leagues. Replica jerseys will feature embroidered crests this year, an upgrade from the printed crests of previous years. The authentic jerseys feature more detail and higher-end material — and cost $100 more, coming in at $195 before any customization.

All players from the 2025 NWSL season will be available for customization in the NWSL’s shop, according to the league

The league also announced expanded sizing options for replica jerseys, ranging from extra small to double XL for women, and small to triple XL for men.

“This suite of jerseys, featuring bold designs, vibrant colors and accompanying lifestyle products like the anthem jacket, represent another key step in growing the NWSL’s footprint within the global marketplace,” said NWSL VP of consumer products Katie Eaton in a statement. “As we continue to elevate our product offerings, we’re focused on blending sport and lifestyle in ways that authentically connect with players and fans alike.”

The 2025 National Women’s Soccer League schedule is out. That means it’s time to start buying tickets, planning road trips, and of course complaining. Here are a few nuggets picked up while reviewing.

Love the Challenge Cup as standalone

We already knew this was coming, but having the Challenge Cup as a standalone event a week ahead of the first round of matches is an upgrade. Last year’s setup made for an awkward Week 1 dynamic in which it was confusing for some that the San Diego Wave and NJ/NY Gotham FC had played a match that did not count toward the standings. Those clubs were then saddled with an extra midweek match.

Sure, the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit have to start playing a week before everyone else, but I’m guessing that is preferable to adding an extra match in the same number of days. The standalone match also offers a better opportunity to promote Week 1 during the Prime broadcast and build natural excitement into the games that will count toward the 2025 standings.