“Over New Year’s, I actually came to the full acceptance that I wasn’t going to be playing, which was like a two-year, some might say three-year process of acceptance,” Heath told listeners.

Heath was a joy to watch for over a decade thanks to her creativity and elite technical skill. An intense student of the game, Heath was known for her tricky nutmegs, sneaky jukes, joyful juggling, slick dribbles and clever passes.

The now 37-year-old had her career cut short by a serious knee injury in 2022 that required several surgeries to repair and eventually ended up being career-ending. Her last U.S. appearance came on Oct. 26, 2021. Her last NWSL appearance was Aug. 14, 2022, for Seattle Reign (then OL Reign).

Despite injuries throughout her career, Heath made 181 appearances in 13 years for the senior national team, scoring 36 goals and adding 42 assists. She won two World Cups (2015, 2019) and three Olympic medals (gold in 2008 and 2012, bronze in 2020/21).

The University of North Carolina alumni began her pro career with the Atlanta Beat after being picked No. 1 overall in the 2010 WPS College Draft. While still a Tar Heel, Heath won four straight Atlantic Coast Conference titles and three NCAA National Championships.

In the NWSL, Heath won multiple Championships and Shields. The attacker won two NWSL championships with the Portland Thorns, in 2013 & 2017. Heath was named the 2013 NWSL Championship MVP for scoring the game-winning goal directly from a free kick. She also won two NWSL Shields, one with Portland in 2016 and the other with the Seattle Reign in 2022. Between 2013 and 2022, Heath made 75 NWSL appearances, recording 13 goals and 24 assists.

Patão joins Boston from Portuguese club Benfica, where she has a 156-28-15 record with the women’s senior team. She holds a UEFA A coaching license and has coached there since 2020. According to the team release, she is in the process of obtaining her UEFA Pro diploma.

“I’m very excited about going to Boston. I can’t wait to get to the city, meet all the people and start working,” Patão said in a statement. “The American league is extremely competitive and that’s one of the reasons I accepted this project: I like competition, difficulty, and getting the players to strive for more and better. To transform themselves and always demand more of themselves. I know that Boston fans are passionate about the city and their teams and I’m looking forward to building a new history with them.”

Patão started as a youth coach with Benfica in 2007 and coached the U-15, U-17 and U-19 teams before taking over with the senior team. During her tenure, Benfica won Portugal’s top flight Campeonato Nacional five years in a row and advanced to the 2023-24 UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals. She earned a nomination for the Ballon d’Or Women’s Coach of the Year award.

She is the second major hire by Boston Legacy FC, who tabbed Domènec Guasch as general manager in December. He joined the team after 13 years with FC Barcelona, where he most recently served as head of management for women’s football.

“Filipa demonstrates all of the qualities that personify this club and the way we want to play: with passion, grit, and style,” Legacy FC controlling owner Jennifer Epstein said. “She is a coach who loves to develop players and loves to win, and that attitude is very evident in the way she is approaching our inaugural 2026 season head-on. We can’t wait to watch her build Boston’s next championship team.”

Boston Legacy FC is set to begin play in 2026 as the 15th NWSL franchise. They will play their inaugural season at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., home of the MLS’ New England Revolution and NFL’s New England Patriots.

Keep up with all the signings and deals with our 2025 NWSL Transfer Tracker. Where applicable, we’ll also provide insight into what’s happening to give you the deeper context you expect from The Equalizer, leaders in women’s soccer coverage since 2009.

This runs in reverse chronological order, so scroll down to catch up.

Emma Sears signs two-year contract extension with Racing Louisville

(October 9, 2025) Racing Louisville FC and second-year forward Emma Sears agreed to a new contract, the team announced, keeping the winger in Louisville through 2028. Sears already set the Racing Louisville single-season scoring record this year with 10 goals and her performances in Louisville have helped her earn eight caps with the U.S. women’s national team. Locking this contract in now is a big move to keep a talented young player as part of the core to help this team find success now and in the future.

Forward Prisca Chilufya traded to Angel City

(October 9, 2025) Angel City announced that the club has acquired Zambian international forward Prisca Chilufya and a 2025 international roster spot through a trade with the Orlando Pride. In exchange, the Pride receive $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Chilufya joined the Orlando Pride in January of 2025 following a transfer from FC Juarez. She has played in 16 matches this season with the Pride and scored two goals.

Chicago Stars extend Meg Boade

(October 8, 2025) The Chicago Stars announced the extension of midfielder Meg Boade through November 22 — the end of the NWSL season. Boade began the 2025 NWSL season with the Washington Spirit, before signing with Chicago as a roster relief player in August.

Defender M.A. Vignola signs contract extension with Portland through 2027

(October 7, 2025) The Portland Thorns announced that recently acquired defender M.A. Vignola signed a contract extension through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028. The 27-year-old’s previous contract signed with Angel City FC (and inherited by Portland in the trade) was set to run through 2026. Vignola was one of Angel City’s first-ever signings where she was consistently a top performer earning league accolades and a national team call up.

Bay FC signs midfielder Dorian Bailey to contract through 2027

(October 3, 2025) Bay FC announced that the club has agreed to a new multi-year contract with midfielder Dorian Bailey, keeping her with the club through the 2027 season. Bailey was a member of the club’s inaugural roster after being selected from the Washington Spirit in the 2024 Expansion Draft. She appeared in 27 matches her first season in the Bay Area, helping the club to its first-ever postseason berth. In 2025, she has appeared in 21 matches (12 starts).

Angel City FC acquires midfielder Hina Sugita

(September 30, 2025) The Portland Thorns have traded Japanese midfielder Hina Sugita to Angel City FC in exchange for defender MA Vignola, plus $600K. Vignola appeared in 20 matches, starting 16, scoring one goal and adding two assists in 2025. She was one of Angel City’s first signings as an expansion franchise. Sugita will bring creativity and solid defensive play to a midfield that lost Alanna Kennedy and Katie Zelem over the summer.

Portland Thorns acquire M.A. Vignola

(September 30, 2025) The Portland Thorns have traded midfielder Hina Sugita to Angel City FC in exchange for defender MA Vignola, plus $600K. Sugita played in all 22 of Portland’s regular-season games this season, starting 18 and recording three assists. Vignola will provide defensive stability and attacking threat to the Thorns backline.

Portland Thorns re-sign Reyna Reyes through 2030

(September 22, 2025) The Portland Thorns and Reyna Reyes have agreed to a contract extension through the 2023 NWSL season. Reyes, a Mexican international, was drafted by Portland in the 2023 NWSL Draft, and has since started 55 of her 79 appearances across all competitions.

“Reyna’s growth as a player and as a person has been incredible to witness and we are pleased to extend her future with the Thorns through 2030,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said, via a press release. “She has established herself as one of the best in her position across the league, constantly showcasing her dominant defensive prowess along with an ability to contribute on the opposite side of the pitch. Reyna’s unwavering commitment to our Club is inspiring, and she helps drive the culture we are building here in Portland. This extension is not only a milestone moment for us, but a reflection of our belief in Reyna who understands what it means to be a Thorn.”

Ángela Barón, Racing Louisville agree to contract termination

(September 22, 2025) Racing Louisville FC and Ángela Barón have agreed to a mutual termination of her contract. The 22-year-old defender will pursue opportunities elsewhere. Barón made one appearance for Racing Louisville in 2024, and has not made an appearance in 2025.

Elexa Bahr, Racing Louisville agree to contract termination

(September 17, 2025) Racing Louisville FC and Elexa Bahr have agreed to a mutual termination of her contract, following a loan spell in Colombia with América de Cali. She spent the entirety of 2025 with the Colombian side. In 2024, Bahr made 16 appearances for Racing Louisville, recording one goal and providing one assist. The termination of the contract will allow her to “pursue opportunities elsewhere,” per Racing Louisville.

Sarah Schupansky re-signs with Gotham through 2027

(September 15, 2025) Gotham FC has announced that rookie Sarah Schupansky has re-signed with the cub through the 2027 NWSL season. Schupansky, one of the first offseason signings from the NWSL rookie class out of the University of Pittsburgh, has recorded five assists and one goal in 18 matches played. Schupansky spoke with The Equalizer’s Rachael Palmer about her rookie season so far.

Houston Dash acquire defender Malia Berkely and $75k

(September 12, 2025) The Houston Dash acquired defender Malia Berkely in a trade with the North Carolina Courage, the teams announced. The Dash acquired the 28-year-old and $75,000 in 2026 intra-league transfer funds in exchange for defender Natalie Jacobs. The 28-year-old has appeared in 69 regular-season games for the Courage since she joined the team in 2022. Berkely is under contract through the 2026 NWSL season.

NC Courage acquire defender Natalie Jacobs

(September 12, 2025) The North Carolina Courage have acquired defender Natalie Jacobs from the Houston Dash in exchange for defender Malia Berkely and $75,000 in 2026 intraleague transfer funds, the clubs jointly announced. Jacobs is under contract through the 2028 NWSL season. Jacobs was a 2020 NWSL Draft second-round pick by the Washington Spirit and joined the Houston Dash in 2022. Across 66 NWSL regular-season appearances with Houston, Jacobs has won 58.6% of her tackles, 55.3% of her duels, and 51.67% of her aerial duels.

NC Courage sign midfielder Oli Peña through 2026

(September 12, 2025) The North Carolina Courage and midfielder Oli Peña announced they have agreed to terms on a two-year, guaranteed contract through the end of the 2026 NWSL regular season. The reigning Big 12 Midfielder of the Year, Peña joins the Courage following a standout career at TCU. 

Houston Dash release Ramona Bachmann, sign Anna Heilferty

(September 12, 2025) The Houston Dash announced two simultaneous roster updates. First, the team signed defender Anna Heilferty to a short-term contract through the end of the 2025 season. Additionally, the team and Ramona Bachmann mutually agreed to terminate her contract. Bachmann joined the Dash in April 2024, following a transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. The forward appeared in 14 games and earned 10 starts for the Dash across the last two seasons.

Veronica Latsko announces she will retire at end of 2025

(September 12, 2025) Reign FC forward Veronica Latsko is set to retire following the conclusion of the 2025 NWSL season, Reign FC announced. The club will celebrate her career at the match this weekend on Sunday, September 14, at Lumen Field. The versatile forward began her NWSL career with the Houston Dash after being selected 28th overall in the 2018 NWSL draft. The next chapter of her career began in 2022 when Latsko was traded to the Reign. She went on to play in 61 regular-season matches with the club, including 30 starts. Latsko was an integral part of the squad that secured the 2022 NWSL Shield at Lumen Field and went on a legendary playoff run in 2023. She missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered during preseason. After retirement, the 29-year-old will make the jump to the legal world, beginning with law school in Seattle.

Jaedyn Shaw traded to Gotham FC, Courage receives record $1.25 million intraleague transfer funds

(September 11, 2025) Gotham FC acquired 20-year-old USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw from the North Carolina Courage for an intraleague-record $1.25 million, the clubs announced. The fee will be paid in intraleague transfer funds over installments and represents Gotham’s first seven-figure transfer. Gotham says the club and Shaw are now working toward an updated and extended contract. 

Angel City loans Lily Nabet to Fort Lauderdale United FC

(September 11, 2025) Angel City Football FC announced that the club has agreed to loan midfielder Lily Nabet to Gainbridge Super League Team Fort Lauderdale United FC, effective immediately. The loan is through the end of 2025, the same as her existing contract with ACFC. Nabet has been with the LA club since its inception, drafted in the third round of the 2022 NWSL Draft, appearing in 37 total matches since. However, Nabet only made one short appearance in 2025.

Angel City acquires Nealy Martin via trade with Gotham

(September 9, 2025) Angel City FC announced that the club acquired midfielder Nealy Martin through a trade with NJ/NY Gotham FC. In exchange, Gotham will receive $85,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Martin is a versatile midfielder who entered the NWSL in 2021 after earning a roster spot with Racing Louisville through an open tryout. In 2023, Martin joined NJ/NY Gotham FC and won the NWSL Championship. Martin requested the trade.

Gotham FC loans Ademiluyi to Fort Lauderdale United FC

(September 9, 2025) Gotham FC has loaned forward Princess Ademiluyi to Gainbridge Super League side Fort Lauderdale United FC, the club announced. The loan runs through the end of the calendar year and includes a mutual option to extend through the end of the 2025-26 Super League campaign, which finishes in May. Gotham retains the option to recall Ademiluyi in January for the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. The 19-year-old joined Gotham earlier this month after transferring from West Ham United, signing a contract through the 2029 season.

Makenna Morris signs through 2028 with Racing Louisville

(September 9, 2025) Racing Louisville FC announced that defender Makenna Morris has signed a new contract, keeping her at the club through the 2028 season. Racing acquired Morris last month in a trade with the Washington Spirit. The 23-year-old is in her second NWSL season after a standout rookie campaign in 2024, when she scored five goals. 

Mikayla Cluff leaves Utah via mutual contract termination, signs with Seattle through rest of 2025 season

(September 6, 2025) Utah Royals FC announced the mutual termination of contract with midfielder Mikayla Cluff, allowing the BYU alum to pursue other opportunities. Cluff played her rookie season with the Pride but returned to her home state as part of a trade in 2023. The same day, Seattle Reign FC announced Cluff’s signing through the 2025 season and that she would immediately be joining the team and available for selection. Across her four years in the NWSL, the 26-year-old has totaled 58 appearances (31 starts), with four goals, one assist, 238 duels won and 71 tackles won.

Portland Thorns transfer Carissa Boeckmann to Benfica

(September 6, 2025) The Portland Thorns announced that midfielder Carissa Boeckmann has transferred to Portuguese side Benfica for an undisclosed transfer fee. Boeckmann joined the Thorns during the 2025 preseason but only appeared in friendly and Concacaf W Champions Cup matches.

NC Courage signs Heather MacNab through end of 2025 season

(September 5, 2025) The North Carolina Courage and forward Heather MacNab announced an agreement to a contract through the end of the 2025 NWSL season. The former Princeton standout joined the Courage in preseason as a non-roster invitee before earning a short-term injury replacement contract in March. MacNab stayed with the team as a training player after that contract expired and has now secured a fully guaranteed deal for the remainder of the season.

Gisele Thompson signs four-year contract extension with Angel City

(September 5, 2025) Angel City FC announced that the club signed star defender Gisele Thompson to a new contract through 2029. Thompson joined the club in 2024, four days before her 18th birthday. Thompson has made 29 appearances for the club and leads ACFC with four assists this season. She also has four caps with the U.S. women’s national team.

Alyssa Thompson departs for Chelsea

(September 5, 2025) Angel City FC announced that the club completed a transfer of forward Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea FC Women in one of the highest transactions in global women’s soccer. Thompson was drafted to ACFC as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NWSL Draft and was the first high schooler to be drafted in the NWSL. During her tenure with ACFC, Thompson made 62 regular-season appearances, scoring 15 goals and recording 11 assists. Thompson is a massive loss for Angel City, whose future now looks incredibly uncertain. Read more about what the move means for the LA club.

Reign loan Ji So-Yun to Birmingham City for remainder of 2025

(September 5, 2025) Seattle Reign FC announced that midfielder Ji So-Yun has been loaned to Birmingham City of the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 through the end of 2025 for an agreed-upon fee. The South Korean international is contracted with Reign FC through the 2025 season, effectively ending her time in Seattle early. She has contributed two goals and two assists in 13 appearances (nine starts) this season. Last year, in her debut year in Seattle, the 34-year-old led the club with six combined goals and assists and 32 shots after appearing in all 26 matches.

Denver Summit signs Spanish forward Nahikari García through 2027

(September 4, 2025) Denver Summit FC announced the signing of Spanish international Nahikari García, the club’s first international acquisition, to a multi-year deal through the 2027 season. The 28-year-old is a proven goalscorer with more than a decade of experience in Spain’s top flight. She will go on loan to Nottingham Forest Women FC for the remainder of the 2025 season before joining the club ahead of its inaugural NWSL season in 2026.

Utah Royals release Macey Fraser, extend Abby Boyan

(September 4, 2025) Utah Royals FC announced the extension of midfielder Abby Boyan until the end of the 2025 NWSL season. Boyan arrived in Utah following a season in Denmark’s top division with AaB Kvinde Elitefodbold. Boyan scored twice and assisted once in her first professional season. The club simultaneously announced the mutual termination of contract with Macey Fraser, allowing the midfielder to pursue other opportunities. Fraser appeared 9 times across two seasons with the Royals, earning four starts and logging 400 minutes with the club.

Portland Thorns acquire Valerin Loboa, sign through 2028

(September 3, 2025) The Portland Thorns announced that it acquired Colombian international forward Valerin Loboa for an undisclosed transfer fee from Colombia’s Deportivo Cali. The 18-year-old joins Portland through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029. Loboa arrives fresh off an impressive campaign with Colombia at the 2025 CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina, making an appearance in all six matches and scoring her first international goal with starts in the last three contests, including the final. 

Bay FC transfers Asisat Oshoala to Al Hilal

(September 2, 2025) Bay FC announced that the club and Al Hilal reached an agreement on a transfer of forward Asisat Oshoala to the Saudi Women’s Premier League side. Oshoala joined Bay FC ahead of the inaugural 2024 season from storied Spanish side FC Barcelona, signed through the 2026 season with an option for 2027. She came stateside with 120 career professional goals, two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles and as a six-time winner of the Women’s African Footballer of the Year award. The Nigerian international leaves Bay FC ranked in the top five of nearly every club offensive record, and the club’s top goal-scorer with seven scores in the inaugural season, but she struggled to make a consistent impact in the NWSL. In 2025, Oshoala appeared in 12 matches and tallied 458 minutes, only starting five games.

Gotham FC acquires forward Princess Ademiluyi

(September 1, 2025) Gotham FC agreed to a deal to sign England youth national team forward Princess Ademiluyi from West Ham United for an undisclosed transfer fee, the club announced. She signed a five-year contract through the 2029 season.

Elyse Bennett joins Orlando Pride for remainder of 2025

(September 1, 2025) The Orlando Pride and forward Elyse Bennett agreed to a short-term contract through the rest of the 2025 season, it was announced. Bennett is a free agent with proven experience across multiple NWSL clubs since being drafted No. 7 overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft. The 25-year-old arrives in Orlando following stints with Kansas City Current, OL Reign and San Diego Wave FC. Over her three-year professional career, Bennett has made 56 league appearances, tallying five goals and multiple assists. Bennett adds needed firepower to a frontline reeling from the loss of Barbara Banda to injury.

Utah Royals sign Slovenian attacker Lara Prašnikar

(August 31, 2025) Utah Royals FC announced the signing of Slovenian international striker Lara Prašnikar from German side Eintracht Frankfurt for an undisclosed fee through 2027, making her the first Slovenian to ever play in the NWSL. In order to be roster compliant, the Royals have also acquired a 2025 international spot from Orlando Pride in exchange for $10,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Prašnikar arrives in Utah following a prolific career in Germany, most recently with Eintracht Frankfurt, where she recorded 44 goals in 122 appearances from 2020 to 2024.

Payton Linnehan traded to NC Courage, signs two-year contract

(August 30, 2025) The North Carolina Courage announced the acquisition of forward Payton Linnehan from the Portland Thorns in exchange for $48,000 in 2025 intra-league transfer funds. Linnehan has signed a fully guaranteed contract extension through the 2027 season, plus a mutual option for 2028.

Gotham loans Stella Nyamekye to Fort Lauderdale United FC

(August 28, 2025) Gotham FC has loaned midfielder Stella Nyamekye to Gainbridge Super League side Fort Lauderdale United FC, the club announced. The loan agreement runs through the end of the calendar year and includes a mutual option to extend through the end of the 2025-26 Super League campaign, which finishes in May. Gotham FC retains the option to recall Nyamekye in January for the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

Courage loans defender Brooklyn Courtnall to Bay FC

(August 28, 2025) The North Carolina Courage have loaned defender Brooklyn Courtnall to Bay FC through the end of the 2025 NWSL season, the teams jointly announced. The former USC standout was the Courage’s first collegiate signing of the post-draft era in the NWSL, with the former USC standout signing with the Courage through the end of the 2027 season. Courtnall has made two regular-season appearances for the Courage this season, totaling 27 minutes as a substitute.

Chicago Stars sign Colombian Ivonne Chacón

(August 28, 2025) The Chicago Stars announced they agreed to terms with Levante U.D. for the transfer of Colombian international Ivonne Chacón to the Stars for an undisclosed transfer fee. Chacón signed with Chicago through the 2027 season and will join the team upon approval of her P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. 

Kennedy Wesley re-signs through 2028 with San Diego

(August 27, 2025)  San Diego Wave FC announced that the club has re-signed defender Kennedy Wesley to a three-year contract through the end of the 2028 season. The Southern California native originally signed with the Wave after being drafted in the first round in the 2024 NWSL Draft from Stanford, where she was a mainstay for the Cardinal.

Emily Mason signs one-year extension with Seattle Reign

(August 27, 2025)  Seattle Reign FC announced that defender Emily Mason signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027. Prior to the 2025 campaign, Mason became Reign FC’s first college signing since the NWSL Draft was eliminated. In her debut NWSL season, Mason has appeared in 10 matches, earning two starts. She has earned call-ups to the USWNT Futures and U-23 camps this season, building on her accomplished youth international career.

Sydney Collins signs two-year contract with Bay FC

(August 27, 2025)  Bay FC announced that the club signed defender Sydney Collins to a new two-year contract through 2027 with a team option for 2028. Collins joined Bay FC last week via trade from North Carolina Courage where she began her professional career in 2023, being selected eighth overall in the 2023 NWSL draft. A Canadian international, Collins earned a pair of selections to the Canadian national team in 2023 and 2024 and was set to join the squad at the Paris Olympics before suffering an injury in preparation for the tournament.

Angel City transfers Katie Zelem and Alanna Kennedy to London City Lionesses

(August 27, 2025) Angel City FC announced that the club has agreed to transfer defender Alanna Kennedy and midfielder Katie Zelem to the London City Lionesses for undisclosed transfer fees. Kennedy joined ACFC during the 2025 preseason and Zelem joined midway through the 2024 season. While with ACFC, Kennedy appeared in 16 total matches, scoring one goal and notching one assist, and Zelem appeared in 25 total matches, notching two goals this season and one assist in 2024.

Felicitas Rauch signs two-year contract extension with North Carolina

(August 27, 2025) The North Carolina Courage and defender Feli Rauch have agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season, the team announced. Rauch was set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season. Across two seasons with the Courage, Rauch has made 35 NWSL regular-season appearances, playing 2,564 minutes, scoring three goals, and adding one assist. She has proven to be an adaptable asset for the Courage, filling multiple roles.

Washington trades Makenna Morris to Louisville for $115,000

(August 27, 2025) Racing Louisville FC announced it acquired versatile second-year player Makenna Morris in a trade with the Washington Spirit. In exchange, Washington received $115,000 in allocation funds. The 23-year-old has appeared in 28 NWSL regular-season games, scoring six goals while adding two assists. Last season as a standout rookie, Morris was a key contributor to a Spirit team that advanced to the 2024 NWSL Championship game. 

Laila Harbert loaned from Arsenal to Portland Thorns

(August 25, 2025) England youth international Laila Harbert has been loaned from Arsenal W.F.C. to the Portland Thorns for the remainder of the 2025 season, the Thorns announced. Harbert, 18, is a graduate of Arsenal’s youth academy before signing her first professional contract in January. Harbert spent 2025 on loan with Southampton FC in the WSL’s second division.

Morgan Gautrat loaned to Newcastle United, to “retire from NWSL play”

(August 25, 2025) Former U.S. international Morgan Gautrat has been loaned to Newcastle United W.F.C for the remainder of 2025, the Orlando Pride announced today. Gautrat’s mutual option with the Pride 2026 was voided earlier this year, making her a pending free agent at the end of the NWSL season. Gautrat, 32, will also “retire from NWSL play” at the end of this year.

Julie Dufour transferred to Portland Thorns

(August 23, 2025) French attacker Julie Dufour has been transferred from Angel City FC to the Portland Thorns, the clubs announced on Saturday. Angel City also sent an international roster slot to the Thorns, in exchange for $40,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Dufour, 24, is signed through the end of 2027.

Gabby Robinson signs extension with Kansas City Current

(August 22, 2025) Defender Gabby Robinson has signed an extension with the Kansas City Current that will keep her at the club through the end of 2028, the club announced. Robinson was concurrently activated from the Season-Ending Injury list.

Bárbara Olivieri transferred to Boston Legacy, loaned to Tigres UANL for rest of 2025

(August 22, 2025) Boston Legacy FC have acquired Venezuela midfielder Bárbara Olivieri from the Houston Dash, the clubs announced on Friday. The transfer fee could rise to as much as $165,000, pending certain performance-based targets. Houston will receive $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds for this season, $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds for 2026, and $30,000 in conditional expansion allocation money and $35,000 in conditional intra-league transfer funds. Olivieri, 23, has been loaned to Tigres UANL in Liga MX Femenil for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Mina Tanaka signs three-year contract extension with Utah Royals

(August 22, 2025) Utah Royals announced the extension of forward Mina Tanaka’s contract through 2028. Tanaka joined Utah in July 2024 through free agency from Kobe Leonessa of Japan’s WE League. Since joining URFC, Tanaka has scored 3 goals in 20 matches, notching 19 starts. The Japanese international leads the team in shots taken this year with 25.

Lizbeth Ovalle transferred to Orlando Pride for world record fee

(August 21, 2025) Mexico forward Lizbeth Ovalle has been transferred from Tigres UANL to the Orlando Pride and has signed through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028, the club announced. The $1.5 million transfer fee sets a new world record for women’s soccer. The fee will paid in equal installments over the next three years. Per reporting by ESPN, Tigres will receive a 10% sell-on fee if the Pride transfer Ovalle. Ovalle, 25, has made 58 appearances for the Mexico women’s national team.

Denver acquires midfielder Lourdes Bosch from Melbourne City FC

(August 21, 2025) Denver Summit FC announced the acquisition of midfielder Lourdes Bosch from Australian A-League Women’s club Melbourne City FC for an agreed-upon transfer fee. Bosch signed a contract through the 2027 season and will be immediately loaned to Liga MX Femenil’s C.F. Monterrey Femenil. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder will join Denver for preseason in early 2026. 

Current loans forward Flora Marta Lacho to HB Køge

(August 21, 2025) The Kansas City Current has loaned forward Flora Marta Lacho to HB Køge Women in Denmark, the clubs announced. Lacho signed with KC in March 2025 and then made six regular-season appearances.

Reign signs Maddie Mercado to contract extension and loans to Carolina Ascent

(August 20, 2025) Seattle Reign FC announced that midfielder Maddie Mercado has signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season, with a player option for 2027. Following her extension, Mercado will join Carolina Ascent FC in the Gainbridge Super League on loan for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.

Houston Dash loans defenders Rebeca and Zoe Matthews to Dux Logroño

(August 20, 2025) The Houston Dash announced that defenders Rebeca and Zoe Matthews will be loaned to Spanish side Dux Logroño through June 30, 2026. The 19-year-old Rebeca joined the Dash earlier this year following her transfer from Cruzeiro in Brazil and appeared in friendly matches but not in any regular-season games. Matthews joined the team on Oct. 17, 2024, following a decorated youth club career and USYNT career. Matthews made her professional debut on October 18, 2024, and her first start a week later, but she only appeared in summer friendlies this year.

Anna Moorhouse signs new contract with Orlando through 2027

(August 15, 2025) Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse has signed a new contract with the Orlando Pride, the club announced. Moorhouse is now contracted with the Pride through the end of 2027. The 30-year-old was set to become a free agent this offseason.

Ally Watt transferred to Denver Summit FC, loaned back to Orlando Pride for remainder of 2025

(August 13, 2025) Forward Ally Watt has been transferred to Denver Summit FC and will be immediately loaned back to the Orlando Pride for the remainder of the 2025 season, the club officially announced. The Pride will receive $75,000 in expansion allocation money that can be used through 2027, as well as $37,500 in intraleague transfer funds. Salary cap relief was a condition of the agreement. Watt, 28, becomes the Summit’s first-ever signing. ESPN first reported the news on August 4.

Ryan Campbell signs contract extension with Gotham FC

(August 12, 2025) Goalkeeper Ryan Campbell has signed an extension with Gotham FC, keeping her under contract through 2028. The 23-year-old rookie keeper announced the signing on Kelley O’Hara’s podcast, Sports Are Fun!

Ellie Jean signs new contract with Racing Louisville through 2028

(August 12, 2025) Defender Ellie Jean has signed a new contract with Racing Louisville through 2028, the club announced. The 28-year-old center back was traded to Racing in December 2023. Jean has started 12 of the team’s 15 matches so far this season.

Racing loans defender Allie George to Fort Lauderdale

(August 12, 2025) Racing Louisville FC has loaned defender Allie George to Fort Lauderdale United FC of the USL Super League for the remainder of the 2025 NWSL season, the club announced. The 22-year-old rookie had yet to appear in a competitive match for Racing.

Boston Legacy FC signs American midfielder Aleigh Gambone

(August 11, 2025) Boston Legacy FC have signed American midfielder Aleigh Gambone to a contract through the 2027 NWSL season. Gambone has been loaned to FC Nürnberg Frauen through the end of 2025, as Boston will begin league play next year. Gambone featured collegiately for North Carolina before signing her first professional contract in Denmark with Fortuna Hjørring. She also featured for Glasgow City from 2023-25.

Lisa Boattin signs two-year deal with Houston Dash

(August 11, 2025) Italian defender Lisa Boattin has signed with the Houston Dash, inking a contract through the 2027 NWSL season. Boattin joined from Juventus for an undisclosed fee. According a press release, she has won over 14 trophies with Juventus over an eight-year stint with the illustrious Italian club. She has over 43 appearances for the Italian women’s national team.

Kayla Duran signs contract extension with Gotham FC

(August 8, 2025) Gotham FC and defender Kayla Duran have agreed to a contract extension through February 2026, the club announced. Duran originally joined Gotham FC last month on a National Team Replacement Player contract after completing her senior season at the University of Southern California in 2023.

Seattle Reign sign goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska through 2026

(August 7, 2025) Seattle Reign FC announced that goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska has signed a contract extension through the 2026 season. Prohaska originally joined the Reign ahead of the 2025 campaign as a non-roster invitee and signed her first professional contract with the club on March 6. The 22-year-old Auburn alum earned her first appearance for the Reign in a recent international friendly against the Urawa Red Diamonds on July 20, helping the team secure a 2-1 victory.

Racing Louisville acquires Katie Scott on loan from the Kansas City Current

(August 7, 2025) Racing Louisville FC and the Kansas City Current have completed an intra-league loan. Katie Scott will join Racing for the remainder of the 2025 NWSL season. The 18-year-old hasn’t made an official NWSL appearance, but featured in two of Teal Rising Cup tournament appearances in July. She joined Kansas City after one year of collegiate soccer with Penn State University.

Orlando signs goalkeeper Cosette Morché through 2027

(August 6, 2025) The Orlando Pride announced the signing of goalkeeper Cosette Morché to a multi-year contract through the 2027 season, with a mutual option for 2028. Morché joins the Pride after spending last season with Fort Lauderdale United FC of the USL Super League.

Jordan Silkowitz signs new contract with Bay FC

(August 5, 2025) Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz has signed a new contract with Bay FC, the club announced on Tuesday. Silkowitz, 25, will be with the club through the end of 2027, with a team option for 2028. Silkowitz joined Bay FC in August 2024 after being traded from the Kansas City Current. Silkowitz became Bay FC’s starting goalkeeper this season.

Kansas City Current trade for Ally Sentnor

(August 1, 2025) The Kansas City Current acquired Ally Sentnor through a record-setting inter-league trade, according to reports from The Athletic. ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf confirmed the move and reported that $600,000 intra-league transfer fee (plus a 20% sell-on fee).

Nádia Gomes signs with Chicago for the remainder of the 2025 season

(August 1, 2025) The Chicago Stars and forward Nádia Gomes have agreed to a contract extension through the 2025 NWSL season. Gomes was originally signed for the 2024 season, but began the current campaign on a short-term contract. She has started one of her seven appearances. The Portuguese international has scored one goal this season.

Katie Stengel re-joins Gotham FC, signs through February 2026

(July 31, 2025) Longtime NWSL veteran Katie Stengel is back in the league, and back with Gotham FC. The forward has signed a deal, through February 2026, with Gotham after most recently featuring for Crystal Palace. Stengel was previously with Gotham from 2023-24, including the 2023 championship-winning team. She also featured for the Washington Spirit (2016-17), Boston Breakers (2017), Utah Royals (2018-19) and Houston Dash (2020-21).

Seattle Reign and Angharad James-Turner agree to contract extension

(July 31, 2025) Seattle Reign FC and Angharad James-Turner have agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 NWSL season. She has made 21 starts throughout her 25 appearances. Recently, with the Welsh national team, James-Turner became the youngest Welsh player, male or female, to reach the 100 appearance mark, and captained Wales at the 2025 European Championship.

Boston Legacy FC signs Spanish midfielder Alba Caño through 2027

(July 31, 2025) Boston Legacy FC announced the signing of midfielder Alba Caño, a 21-year-old Spanish international. She joins Boston from FC Barcelona, where she made four senior team appearances in 2024-25. Her contract is through the 2027 NWSL season, with an option for 2028. She is a member of the Spanish U-19 team.

Bruninha signs extension through 2027 with Gotham FC

(July 30, 2025) NWSL champion and Brazilian international defender Bruninha has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Gotham FC through the 2027 season, the club announced. Bruninha was in the final year of her current contract with the club and eligible for free agency before inking the new deal.

Kayla Sharples signs extension with Kansas City Current

(July 29, 2025) Defender Kayla Sharples has signed a new contract with the Kansas City Current, the club announced on Tuesday. Sharples, 28, is signed through the end of 2027, with a mutual option for 2028. The center back was traded to the Current from Bay FC in August 2024.

Stars and Chardonnay Curran agree to mutually terminate contract

(July 29, 2025) Chicago Stars FC and Chardonnay Curran agreed to mutually terminate the midfielder’s contract, the club announced. Curran joined the Stars in January 2024 from the Kansas City Current, where she spent two seasons after being drafted 17th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft by the Current from the University of Oregon. Over the first half of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, Curran played six matches with the Stars, totaling 74 minutes.

Bay FC loans defender Jordan Brewster to Club América for remainder of 2025

(July 28, 2025) Bay FC announced that the club has reached an agreement to send defender Jordan Brewster on loan to Liga MX Femenil side Club América. Brewster will join the Mexico City side for the remainder of the 2025 NWSL season. The defender joined Bay FC ahead of the club’s inaugural season and has appeared in four matches with the club. Her contract with Bay FC expires at the end of 2025 with her loan.

Seattle Reign and Lily Woodham announce mutual contract termination

(July 25, 2025) Seattle Reign FC and Lily Woodham have announced a mutual contract termination for the Welsh international to pursue other opportunities overseas. Woodham featured for Seattle in 2024, making eight NWSL appearances. This season, Woodham has been on loan with Crystal Palace, where she started 19 of her 20 appearances.

Bea Franklin re-signs with the Chicago Stars

(July 25, 2025) The Chicago Stars and midfielder Bea Franklin have agreed to an extension through the 2027 NWSL season. Franklin, who was drafted by the Stars in the 2024 NWSL Draft, has started 22 of her 27 league appearances for Chicago, tallying one goal and one assist.

Brazilian forward Dudinha signs with San Diego Wave

(July 24, 2025) Brazilian forward Dudinha has been transferred from Brazilian club São Paolo FC to the San Diego Wave pending receipt of her P-1 visa, the club announced. The value of the transfer fee was not disclosed. The 20-year-old is currently with the Brazil women’s national team in Quito, Ecuador, for the Copa América Feminina and will join the Wave upon conclusion of the tournament.

Ashley Hatch begins maternity leave

(July 23, 2025) The Washington Spirit announced that forward Ashley Hatch has been added to the season-ending injury (SEI) list as she begins maternity leave from the active roster. Hatch, who publicly announced her pregnancy on July 15, will miss the remainder of the 2025 season as she and her husband Jeff await the arrival of their first child. The star forward will continue to train with the team in a limited capacity during her maternity leave. 

Spirit loan Emma Gaines-Ramos to Tampa Bay Sun through 2026

(July 22, 2025) The Washington Spirit loaned rookie forward Emma Gaines-Ramos to Tampa Bay Sun FC of the USL Super League through June 30, 2026, the clubs announced. The move involved a loan fee paid by Tampa Bay to Washington. As part of the move, Gaines-Ramos was removed from the season-ending injury (SEI) list following her recovery from injury. The forward signed with the Spirit in January on a two-year contract with 2027 and 2028 team options. 

San Diego Wave loans Sintia Cabezas to Liga F through June 2026

(July 22, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced that the club has loaned defender Sintia Cabezas to Levante Unión Deportiva Femenina through the 2026 Liga F season. The defender’s contract with San Diego runs through the end of 2026. Cabezas signed with San Diego in January 2025 and was loaned to Lexington SC of the USL Super League, where she made five appearances.  

German defender Sara Doorsoun signs with Angel City

(July 22, 2025) Angel City FC announced today that the club has signed German defender Sara Doorsoun via international transfer through the end of 2026. The value of the transfer fee was not disclosed. The 33-year-old center back will occupy an international roster slot pending receipt of her international transfer certificate. Doorsoun joins from Eintracht Frankfurt, where she played for the past three seasons. She made 59 appearances for the Germany women’s national team before announcing her international retirement after the Olympics last August.

Clarissa Larisey signs multi-year contract with Houston

(July 22, 2025) Canadian forward Clarissa Larisey will be joining the Houston Dash after her transfer from Crystal Palace, the club announced today. Larisey is signed through the end of 2027. The value of the transfer fee was not disclosed. The 26-year-old Larisey, a native of Ottawa and alum of the University of Memphis in Tennessee, has made 12 appearances for the Canadian women’s national team since her senior international debut in 2022.

Angel City re-signs Casey Phair through 2028

(July 21, 2025) Angel City FC announced that the club has re-signed Casey Phair through the 2028 NWSL season. In a correlating roster move, the club has also loaned Phair to Djurgårdens IF in Sweden through December 2025 to further her development. Phair has made five appearances this season for Angel City.

Racing Louisville transfers Elli Pikkujämsä to FC Rosengård

(July 21, 2025) Racing Louisville FC announced the transfer of defender Elli Pikkujämsä to Swedish club FC Rosengård. The terms of the transfer were not announced. Pikkujämsä spent three years in Louisville, where she started 18 of 22 NWSL appearances, scoring one goal. A native of Finland, Pikkujämsä spent most of 2024 sidelined with a knee injury.

Taryn Torres signs extension with NJ/NY Gotham FC

(July 18, 2025) Midfielder Taryn Torres has signed a restructured contract with an extension through 2027, the club announced. Per the club’s announcement, “the deal adds one year to her restructured contract, which she signed in early 2024 and originally ran through the 2026 campaign.” Torres, 26, has spent significant time in the Gotham starting XI this season, starting seven of the club’s 13 regular-season matches so far.

Bay FC signs goalkeeper Leah Freeman through 2025

(July 18, 2025) Bay FC announced that the club has signed goalkeeper Leah Freeman through the end of the 2025 season. The Berkeley native joins Bay FC on her first professional contract after a standout college career at the University of Oregon (2020-2022) and Duke (2023-2024).

Kansas City loans Kenyan midfielder Jereko to HB Køge

(July 18, 2025) The Kansas City Current has announced it loaned midfielder Mwanalima Adam Jereko to HB Køge Women in Denmark. HB Køge is owned by Ballard Capital, an investment company controlled and owned by Kansas City Current co-founders and co-owners Angie and Chris Long. Mwanalima Adam Jereko, simply known as Jereko, is signed through 2025 with an option for 2026. Internationally, the Mombasa, Kenya native has been a stalwart of the Kenyan National Team since 2015 and is captain. 

Boston Legacy FC signs defenders Laurel Ansbrow and Emerson Elgin, loan though end of 2025

(July 17, 2025) Boston Legacy FC announced it signed defenders Emerson Elgin and Laurel Ansbrow to contracts, both of which run through 2027. Additionally, Ansbrow has a team-held option for 2028. Elgin will go on loan to USL Super League team Tampa Bay Sun, and Ansbrow will go on loan to USL Super League team Ft. Lauderdale United, both until the end of the year. Both players will join Legacy FC for the NWSL 2026 preseason.

Caroline Conti signs new contract through 2027 with Bay FC

(July 16, 2025) Bay FC announced that the club has agreed to a new contract with midfielder Caroline Conti. The agreement keeps the Clemson product with Bay FC through the 2027 season with a team option for the 2028 season. In just her second season after joining Bay FC as a 2024 NWSL Draft selection, Conti has enjoyed a breakout 2025. The South Carolina native has recorded over 700 minutes across 11 appearances, scoring two goals and tallying two assists.

Tierna Davidson signs extension with NJ/NY Gotham FC

(July 16, 2025) Defender and U.S. international Tierna Davidson has signed a restructured contract with an extension through 2027, the club announced today. Per the club’s announcement, “The new deal restructures the original three-year agreement with Davidson, signed in 2024, while adding on the 2027 campaign.” Davidson is currently recovering from an ACL tear suffered in March.

Taylor Flint re-signs with Racing Louisville through 2028

(July 15, 2025) Taylor Flint will be staying with Racing Louisville for the next three years, the club announced today. The 26-year-old midfielder signed a new contract through 2028, foreclosing her pending free agency. Flint joined Louisville after being traded from the San Diego Wave in the 2023-24 offseason.

Charlotte McLean loaned to Tampa Bay Sun

(July 15, 2025) The North Carolina Courage have loaned Australian defender Charlotte McLean to inaugural USL Super League champions Tampa Bay Sun FC for the remainder of the 2025 season for an agreed-upon fee, the clubs jointly announced. The loan went into effect on Monday, July 14. McLean signed a two-year, guaranteed contract with the Courage through the end of the 2025 season in June 2024. Since joining the team, McLean has made one appearance in a Courage jersey, doing so in last year’s NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

Bay FC signs attacker Onyeka Gamero from Barcelona through 2028

(July 15, 2025) Bay FC announced the signing of American forward Onyeka Gamero from Barcelona through 2028. The value of the transfer fee was not disclosed. Gamero, 19, was raised in southern California before moving to Spain in 2023 to play for Barcelona B, the club’s reserve team. She tore her ACL in November 2023, and will continue her recovery with Bay.

Mallie McKenzie signs extension with Portland through 2026

(July 14, 2025) The Portland Thorns announced that defender Mallie McKenzie has signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season. McKenzie, 24, signed for Portland at the start of the 2024 season after impressing as a non-roster invitee in preseason. McKenzie signed her first contract extension with Portland through 2025 in the offseason and has since made regular-season appearances for the Thorns, playing in 12 of 15 matches across all competitions this year.

Utah Royals sign goalkeeper DeAira Jackson through 2025

(July 11, 2025) Utah Royals FC announced the signing of rookie goalkeeper DeAira Jackson as a free agent. Jackson joins the club through the 2025 season. Jackson arrives in Utah following the expiration of her short-term contract with the Orlando Pride earlier this year, although the two-and-a-half-month deal in Orlando did not result in a professional appearance. 

Mia Fishel joins Seattle Reign from Chelsea, signs through 2029

(July 10, 2025) Seattle Reign FC announced the signing of USWNT forward Mia Fishel through 2029. Fishel had one year remaining on her contract with Chelsea, so a transfer fee was involved. This is a massive acquisition for the Reign and a big career move for Fishel.

Angel City signs Evelyn Shores through 2028

(July 10, 2025) Angel City FC announced that the club signed U-23 USWNT player Evelyn Shores to a contract through 2028. The 20-year-old midfielder joins the club from the University of North Carolina, where she won the 2024 NCAA Championship. Shores recorded five goals and four assists in 23 match appearances for a total of 1,001 minutes on the pitch with the Tar Heels, her playing limited by an ACL injury suffered in her freshman year.

Mali international Aïssata Traoré signs with Boston Legacy

(July 10, 2025) Boston Legacy FC signed Mali international Aïssata Traoré to a three-year contract, running through the 2028 NWSL season. Traoré will remain on loan with her current club in the French top flight, FC Fleury 91, until she joins the Legacy for the 2026 preseason as the first-ever player from Mali to sign in the NWSL. 

Ana María Guzmán recalled from loan by Bayern Munich

(July 10, 2025) Utah Royals FC announced that defender Ana María Guzmán has been recalled from her loan by FC Bayern Munich ahead of the 2025 Frauen-Bundesliga season. The 19-year-old joined URFC in the midst of her second season of a four-year contract with Bayern. Guzmán appeared in 5 matches and logged a total of 78 minutes of playing time with Utah.

Olivia Van der Jagt and Julia Lester sent on loan through the end of 2025

(July 9, 2025) Seattle Reign FC announced that two players are being sent on loan through the end of 2025. Midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt is joining Spokane Zephyr FC of the Gainbridge Super League, with a contract running through 2026. Defender Julia Lester will join Sporting JAX of the Gainbridge Super League, with a contract expiring at the end of the 2025 NWSL season.

Boston Legacy signs first-ever player, Annie Karich

(July 2, 2025) Ahead of their inaugural season, Boston Legacy FC announced they signed their first-ever player, American midfielder Annie Karich. Karich signed as a free agent from SC Freiburg of the Frauen-Bundesliga through the end of the 2027 season, with an option for 2028. The 21-year-old is on loan to a to-be-announced Liga MX Femenil club for the remainder of 2025 and will join Boston for preseason in January.

Orlando Pride send five players on loan for remainder of 2025

(July 2, 2025) Orlando Pride announced five loans heading into the second half of the season. Forward Amanda Allen has been loaned to Halifax Tides FC of Canada’s Northern Super League. Defender Bri Martinez has been loaned to Carolina Ascent FC of the Gainbridge USL Super League. Goalkeeper Kat Asman and forward Mariana Larroquette have been loaned to Lexington FC of the Gainbridge USL Super League. Allen, Martinez, and Larroquette are all on loan through the end of 2025, when their contracts with Orlando expire. Asman’s contract goes through 2026, and her loan is through June 2026 with the right to recall. Midfielder Aryssa Mahrt has been loaned to Spokane Zephyr FC of the Gainbridge USL Super League through the end of 2025, when her contract expires.

Izzy Rodriguez signs extension with Kansas City Current

(July 1, 2025) Kansas City Current and defender Izzy Rodriguez have agreed to a three-year contract extension. She will remain with the team through the 2028 NWSL season. The 26-year-old has been with the Current since 2022, where she was drafted No. 43 overall. In her career, Rodriguez has made 93 appearances and provided 10 assists. She has four goals to her name.

Racing Louisville re-signs three key players to contract extensions

(July 1, 2025) Racing Louisville announced it has come to terms with three key players on contract extensions: defender Courtney Petersen, midfielder Katie O’Kane and forward Kayla Fischer. All three players have re-signed through the 2027 NWSL season.

Jameese Joseph signs multi-year extension with Chicago Stars

(July 1, 2025) Chicago Stars and forward Jameese Joseph have agreed to a multi-year extension to keep the 23-year-old in the Windy City through 2028, with an option for 2029, the club announced. In her sophomore season for the Stars, Joseph has made 10 appearances, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Bay FC signs four players to contracts through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028

(July 1, 2025) Bay FC announced that the club has reached new contract agreements with four players, including goalkeeper Emmie Allen, defender Joelle Anderson, defender Maddie Moreau and midfielder Jamie Shepherd. All four have signed two-year agreements through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028. In addition, forward Catherine Paulson has been signed to a new contract through the end of the 2025 season after previously signing a short-term contract through June 30.   

Sam Meza signs multi-year extension with Seattle

(June 30, 2025) Midfielder Sam Meza signed a three-year contract extension, keeping her with the club through the 2028 NWSL season, the Reign announced. Originally drafted by the Reign 17th overall in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Meza spent most of last season on loan in the USL Super League before returning to Seattle and making a massive impact in 2025, appearing in every match and earning her senior USWNT debut.

Ally Lemos signs new contract through 2027 with Orlando

(June 30, 2025) The Orlando Pride and midfielder Ally Lemos agreed to a new contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028, the Pride announced. Lemos was originally drafted by the Pride No. 9 overall in the 2024 NWSL Draft. The midfielder has appeared in 29 matches, playing a pivotal role in securing both the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in her rookie year.

Cassie Miller and Reign mutually exercise 2026 contract option

(June 30, 2025) Seattle Reign announced that the club and goalkeeper Cassie Miller mutually exercised the option on her contract, keeping her in Seattle through the 2026 season. Miller was acquired in a trade with NJ/NY Gotham FC ahead of the 2025 season and has yet to make her club debut.

Spirit exercise 2026 contract options for Gabby Carle and Andi Sullivan

(June 30, 2025) The Washington Spirit announced that midfielder Andi Sullivan and defender Gabby Carle will remain with the club through the 2026 season. Sullivan has been a core part of the Spirit since 2018 and was integral in leading the club to its first NWSL Championship victory in 2021. Sullivan announced her pregnancy in February and has not played in 2025. Carle joined the Spirit ahead of the 2023 season and has since appeared in 67 total matches, playing over 5,300 minutes and tallying three assists.

Liz Beardsley signs multi-year contract with Houston

(June 30, 2025) Houston Dash and goalkeeper Liz Beardsley agreed to a new contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option for the 2028 season, the team announced. Beardsley joined the team for the 2025 preseason as a non-roster invitee and signed a short-term contract through the remainder of the 2025 season on May 5.

Viviana Villacorta and Orlando mutually exercise 2026 option

(June 30, 2025) The Orlando Pride and Viviana Villacorta mutually agreed to exercise the midfielder’s contract option for the 2026 season, the club announced. Villacorta has appeared in 44 matches and recorded one assist since being drafted by the Pride with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft.

Zara Chavoshi signs multi-year contract extension with Orlando

(June 27, 2025) The Orlando Pride and defender Zara Chavoshi have agreed to a new contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028, the club announced. Chavoshi was the first player Orlando signed directly out of college after the NWSL abolished the draft. The Wake Forest alum made her pro debut on March 23 and has made four appearances in her rookie season so far.

Grace Chanda and Orlando exercise 2026 mutual option

(June 27, 2025) The Orlando Pride and Grace Chanda agreed to exercise the midfielder’s mutual option for the 2026 season, it was announced today. Chanda joined the Pride in the middle of the 2024 season but was placed on the Season-Ending Injury list after sustaining an injury representing Zambia in the 2024 Olympics. The 28-year-old made her Pride debut earlier this season and has made three total NWSL appearances for Orlando.

Washington exercise 2026 contract option for Tamara Bolt, decline Chloe Ricketts

(June 25, 2025) The Washington Spirit announced in their midseason roster update that Tamara Bolt will remain under contract through 2026, while Chloe Ricketts is now able to begin free agent negotiations. Bolt signed with the Spirit in January from Brazilian club SC Internacional and was loaned out after the first few weeks of preseason to Dallas Trinity FC in the USL Super League for the 2025 calendar year. Ricketts signed with the Spirit in March 2023 as the youngest NWSL player in the league at the time. She appeared in 32 total matches, recording a goal and an assist across over 1,000 minutes of playing time.

Haley McCutcheon signs with Orlando through 2028

(June 25, 2025) Midfielder Haley McCutcheon, who joined Orlando via trade in 2022, agreed to terms to keep her with the Pride through 2028. McCutcheon has played every match in 2025 and scored two goals.

Sally Menti signs multi-year extension with Seattle

(June 25, 2025) Midfielder Sally Menti signed a two-year contract extension with a mutual option for 2028, the club announced. Menti, who made her professional debut on May 23, was previously on a short-term contract through the end of June.

Mackenzie Wood re-signs with Chicago Stars

(June 25, 2025) Goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood signed an extension that will keep her in Chicago through 2027, the Stars announced. Woods joined the Stars in 2023 as a non-roster invitee and later earned a national team replacement contract. She returned to the Stars after a loan to Stade de Reims Féminines of the French Première Ligue.

Marie Müller signs extension with Portland Thorns

(June 24, 2025) Marie Müller signed a one-year extension with the Portland Thorns, the club announced today. Müller is now under contract with the Thorns through the end of 2026, with a club option for 2027. The 24-year-old German defender has been on the Thorns’ season-ending injury list since February due to an ACL tear in her right knee.

Taylor Malham signs multi-year contract extension with Chicago

(June 24, 2025) Chicago Stars FC announced that defender Taylor Malham agreed to a contract extension through 2027, with a mutual option for 2028. In 2025, Malham is the only player currently holding Ironwoman status with the Stars, having played every minute of all 13 regular-season matches.

María Sánchez transferred to Tigres UANL

(June 23, 2025) Forward María Sánchez has been transferred from the San Diego Wave to UANL Tigres, the club announced today. The transfer had been rumored for weeks. Sánchez, 29, had a year-and-a-half remaining on the contract she initially signed with the Houston Dash in December 2023, at the time the most lucrative contract in NWSL history. The transfer fee to the Wave was not disclosed.

Jaelin Howell signs extension with NJ/NY Gotham FC

(June 23, 2025) Midfielder Jaelin Howell signed an extension with Gotham FC that keeps her under contract through the end of 2027, the club announced. Howell, 25, joined Gotham in the offseason after being traded from the Seattle Reign.

Chicago signs German defender Samantha Cary Angel

(June 23, 2025) Chicago Stars FC signed defender Samantha Cary Angel from Swedish side IFK Norrköping, the club announced today. The 24-year-old American is signed through the end of 2027 with a mutual option for 2028. Angel spent time with the Chicago Red Stars reserves while at the University of Iowa. Angel was drafted by Racing Louisville in the fourth round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, and has played for IFK Norrköping since March of last year.

Michelle Cooper signs extension with Kansas City Current

(June 23, 2025) Forward Michelle Cooper has signed a contract extension through the end of 2028, the club announced today. Cooper, 22, was drafted second overall by the Current in 2023.

Thorns exercise 2026 contract option for Bella Bixby

(June 21, 2025) Portland Thorns announced that it reached a mutual agreement with goalkeeper Bella Bixby to exercise her contract option for the 2026 season. Her return to action after missing last season on maternity leave has seen the goalkeeper go unbeaten in four of six games played this season.

San Diego Wave FC signs Nya Harrison and Jordan Fusco

(June 20, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced today that the club has signed defender Nya Harrison and Jordan Fusco to new contracts through the end of the 2025 season. Harrison and Fusco were previously signed to short-term contracts through the end of June. 

Italian forward Sofia Cantore signs with Washington Spirit

(June 17, 2025) The Washington Spirit have signed Italian forward Sofia Cantore to a three-year contract, with a team option for 2028. Cantore, 25, was named to Italy’s provisional roster for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, though she has not yet been officially named to the tournament squad.

Goalkeeper Morgan Messner signs extension with Thorns

(June 16, 2025) Portland Thorns FC announced today that goalkeeper Morgan Messner has signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season. Messner, 25, signed for Portland after impressing as a non-roster invitee during the 2025 preseason and recently made her Thorns debut in the Concacaf W Champions Cup,

Sam Coffey signs extension with Portland Thorns

(June 11, 2025) Sam Coffey signed a three-year extension with the Portland Thorns back in March 2024, the club announced today. Coffey will be under contract with the club through the end of 2027.

Chicago signs German defender Kathrin Hendrich

(June 11, 2025) Chicago Stars FC have signed defender Kathrin Hendrich to a two-year contract, with a mutual option for 2027. The 33-year-old German will join the club after the conclusion of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. Hendrich most recently spent five seasons with VfL Wolfsburg.

Gotham FC signs midfielder Josefine Hasbo to multi-year contract

(June 10, 2025) Gotham FC has signed Danish international midfielder Josefine Hasbo to a multi-year contract through the 2027 season, the club announced. To comply with roster regulations, Gotham FC has acquired an international roster spot in a trade with Racing Louisville FC in exchange for $7,000 in transfer funds. Hasbo, 23, joins Gotham FC after a standout four-year career at Harvard University, where she became the first player in program history to play in the World Cup.

Cristina Roque traded to Racing Louisville, signs two-year contract extension

(June 4, 2025) Racing Louisville FC has acquired goalkeeper Cristina Roque in a trade with the Utah Royals for $50,000 in allocation funds. Additionally, Roque and the club have agreed to a new contract through the 2026 season with an option for 2027, Racing announced. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 23-year-old is in her second professional season after being drafted in the third round, 33rd overall, by Utah in 2024. She’s made one NWSL regular-season appearance in her career.

Messiah Bright signs extension through 2026 with Houston Dash

(June 4, 2025) The Houston Dash and forward Messiah Bright agreed to a contract extension through the 2026 season with a team option for the 2027 season, the team announced today. Houston acquired the 25-year-old in a trade with Angel City FC in January. Bright has appeared in 10 games for the Dash this season.

Houston Dash transfer Diana Ordoñez to Tigres

(May 30, 2025) The Houston Dash transferred forward Diana Ordóñez to Tigres UANL Femenil for an undisclosed transfer fee, both teams announced today. The team acquired the Mexican international following a trade with the North Carolina Courage before the 2023 NWSL Draft. Ordóñez appeared in 44 games for the team in the regular season and scored eight goals. She scored an additional two goals for the Dash last year in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil.

Goalkeeper Hannah Seabert signs with Angel City through 2026

(May 30, 2025) Angel City FC announced that the club signed SoCal-native goalkeeper Hannah Seabert to a contract through 2026. Seabert will join July 1 from Portugal’s Sporting CP as a free agent following the end of her contract on June 30, 2025, and will be eligible to play pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate.

Orlando Pride sign Simone Jackson to four-year contract

(May 29, 2025) The Orlando Pride and forward Simone Jackson have agreed to a contract through the 2028 season, it was announced today. Jackson joins the Pride after a four-year career at the University of Southern California and spending some time with the Club in the 2025 preseason. Jackson finished her collegiate career with 75 matches played, 22 goals scored, and 13 assists during her four years at USC.

Goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti signs for remainder of 2025

(May 22, 2025) The North Carolina Courage announced the signing of goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti to a fully guaranteed contract through the end of the 2025 NWSL season. Cappelletti has been with the Courage since the start of preseason, joining the team as a non-roster invitee and sticking with the squad throughout the early portion of the season as a training player.

Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey signs with Seattle through 2028

(May 22, 2025) Reign FC announced that Claudia Dickey has signed a contract extension that will keep her in Seattle through the 2028 season. The 25-year-old goalkeeper was selected 20th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft and has been with the Reign ever since.

Angel City sign Iceland’s Sveindís Jónsdóttir through 2027

(May 21, 2025) Angel City announced that the club has signed Iceland Women’s National Team forward Sveindís Jónsdóttir through 2027. Jónsdóttir comes to Angel City as a free agent, most recently with Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg. She will occupy one of ACFC’s international spots and will be eligible to play pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate.

Vanessa Gilles transferred to FC Bayern München effective July 1

(May 20, 2025) FC Bayern Women have completed the signing of Vanessa Gilles. The 29-year-old Canadian international is joining the German club from Angel City FC on a new contract through June 30, 2028. The centre-back has spent the past three seasons on loan at Olympique Lyonnais from the LA club. Gilles only made seven appearances for Angel City after signing ahead of the club’s inaugural season before being sent on loan.

Danish forward Cecilie Fløe scored the game-winning goal in the 100th minute in front of a sellout crowd of 5,006 fans at Tampa’s Riverfront Stadium.

The game capped off the first season for the eight-team USL Super League, which is sanctioned as a first-division league alongside the National Women’s Soccer League.

Fløe scored in the 100th minute when she got her foot on the end of a cross from Sydny Nasello, who was named the game’s MVP.

Tampa Bay finished second in the regular season behind Players’ Shield winners Carolina Ascent FC. Fort Lauderdale, the No. 4 seed, upset Carolina in the semifinals.

Tampa Bay is captained by midfielder Jordyn Listro who previously played for the Orlando Pride, reigning winners of the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship.

American Erika Tymrak, the inaugural NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2013 for FC Kansas City, and England’s Jade Moore previously announced their retirement. They both went out on top with Tampa Bay.

Spirit assistant coach Adrián González will take over as the new head coach of Washington. He was the interim coach last spring while the team waited for the arrival of Giráldez from FC Barcelona. González’s appointment will take effect July 18, ahead of the NWSL’s second half of the season.

The OL Lyonnes job opened after Joe Montemurro left his head-coaching position after one season in charge. Montemurro was announced as the new head coach of the Australia women’s national team on Monday in Australia.

Both the Washington Spirit and OL Lyonnes, which was recently rebranded from Olympique Lyonnais, are owned by Michele Kang through her multi-club company, Kynisca.

“Jonatan’s commitment to excellence and performance is unmatched,” Kang said in a statement. “His leadership, tactical acumen, and dedication to player development will propel our club to the next level, both domestically and internationally.

“We are grateful for his decision to remain part of the Kynisca family. He will play a crucial role in elevating OL Lyonnes to new heights for the players and fans.”

OL Lyonnes won an 18th league title in the past 19 seasons in France this year but got eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the semifinals by eventual champions Arsenal, who beat Barcelona in the final on May 24.

The 33-year-old Giráldez won back-to-back UEFA Women’s Champions League titles with FC Barcelona in 2023 and 2024 before joining the Spirit. Barcelona beat OL Lyonnes in the 2024 final, and Giráldez was in his first season in charge of Barcelona when the team lost the 2022 Champions League final to OL Lyonnes.

“I am honored and excited to join OL Lyonnes,” Giráldez said in a statement. “The club’s history, ambition, and talented squad represent a fantastic opportunity, and I look forward to building on the club’s successes as it enters a new chapter.”

Giráldez will depart the Spirit having coached half a season each in 2024 and 2025. He guided the Spirit to a win over the Orlando Pride in March’s NWSL Challenge Cup, a one-off Community Shield-style game to open the season.

González compiled a 10-4-1 record as interim coach in the first half of the 2024 season, helping the Spirit finish second in the NWSL Shield race and runners-up in the playoffs. Washington’s 18 victories tied a single-season record with the Orlando Pride, who won the double last year.

“I am excited and honored to become the head coach of the Spirit,” González said. “Our focus remains on continuing to deliver performances that make our fans proud. I want to thank Jona for his leadership and friendship over the years, and I look forward to continuing to build upon the foundation we have established together.”

Prior to joining the Spirit, González was the head coach of RCD Espanyol in Spain, leading the team to promotion to Liga F, Spain’s top flight.

“Adrián has proven that he is ready for this role,” Kang said in a statement. “He knows the team and has earned this organization’s trust through his hard work and dedication. I am looking forward to watching what this team can achieve this season and beyond under his leadership.”

Washington sits in fourth place (6-3-1, 19 pts.) in the NWSL with three games remaining before the league’s summer break. The Spirit continue to deal with a long injury list, including the ongoing absence of United States star forward Trinity Rodman due to a chronic back injury.

Including interim coaches, the Spirit have had six different coaches in charge for more than one game since the end of 2021. González is among them and will soon begin his second stint — and first on a full-time basis.

Mark Krikorian left the team earlier this year after his contract expired for his role as president of soccer operations and general manager.

Kang also owns the London City Lionesses, who earned promotion to England’s top flight ahead of next season.

“This behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our league or in our stadiums,” the league’s statement said in part.

Gotham says the club has reached out to the Pride to apologize for the behavior and the Pride also issued a statement supporting Banda and condemning the incident. Stadium security responded immediately when made aware of the issue.

None of the statements detailed what was said or how the situation was specifically handled. The NWSL and Gotham are working together to investigate further. Additional action may be taken under the league’s Fan Code of Conduct. According to an ESPN report, Gotham is reviewing footage of the incident.

The NWSL Players Association released its own statement Monday afternoon saying in part “There is no place for harassment or abuse in our sport, and we support efforts to address this incident swiftly and responsibly.”

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The FIFA Council voted on Wednesday to approve two new competitions: A Women’s Club World Cup, to launch in January 2028 and take place every four years, along with a smaller Women’s Champions Cup that will take place in the three other years of the cycle.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino originally proposed the idea of a Women’s Club World Cup in 2021, and FIFA had previously said the competition would launch in January 2026. The delay of the full-scale competition is to allow more time for planning and sponsorship acquisition, The Equalizer understands.

“Women’s football has reached new heights at national-team level, and now it’s time for global competitions that showcase the best clubs from around the world. These FIFA competitions will stimulate growth, inspire athletes, create new rivalries, engage more fans and crown heroes from all over the world,” Infantino said in a statement.

The Women’s Champions Cup will only feature the six confederation champions, while the full Women’s Club World Cup will include a play-in phase, a 16-team group stage, and a knockout stage, all in a centralized location.

In the first edition of the Women’s Club World Cup, UEFA will have five teams qualify directly to the group stage, while Concacaf, CONMEBOL, AFC and CAF will each have two teams. Each confederation will also have one play-in slot. OFC will not have any direct qualifiers. The rest of the 16-team field will be completed through a play-in round, with a semifinal and final knockout stage to follow.

The Champions Cup will launch in January 2026 at a site to be determined — either in Europe, North America or South America. It will also be played in 2027 and 2029.

The winners of the UEFA Champions League, the Women’s Copa Libertadores and the new Concacaf Women’s Champions League will automatically qualify for the semifinals of the first edition of the Champions Cup, while the winners of the AFC, CAF and OFC competitions will face off to advance to the semifinal stage.

The AFC champions will host the OFC champions in the first round of the preliminary stage, with the winner visiting the CAF champions in the second round. The winner of that game will advance to the semifinals.

FIFA expects the format and allocation of teams for the competitions to evolve after the first cycle of competition. There is not currently any statistical head-to-head baseline for which teams are the best in the world, apart from sporadic friendly competitions in recent years.

“These are more than just new tournaments – these are drivers for the future of our sport that will raise standards, provide invaluable opportunities for growth and local development, and generate new revenue – all on a global scale,” recently appointed FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis said in a statement. “We thank the confederations, clubs, leagues, players and all stakeholders for their open dialogue and support, as well as the FIFA Council for taking the final decision to give women’s club football an unprecedented global stage on a truly historic day that will redefine the women’s game.”

Confirmed dates so far:

• FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026: 28 January 2026 to 1 February 2026
• FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027: 27 January to 31 January 2027
• FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2029: 24 January to 28 January 2029

United States international and all-time National Women’s Soccer League leading scorer Lynn Williams has been traded from NJ/NY Gotham FC to Seattle Reign FC, multiple sources tell The Equalizer’s Dan Lauletta. Additionally, goalkeeper Cassie Miller will join Seattle as part of the completed trade while midfielder Jaelin Howell will join Gotham FC. The NJ/NY club will also receive a 2025 international spot and $70k in allocation money.

Williams played for NJ/NY Gotham FC for two seasons, helping the team win its first NWSL Championship in 2023. She is a four-time NWSL champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer in all competitions with 80 goals.

Williams, 31, has 21 goals in 75 career appearances for the United States. She was part of the U.S. team that won an Olympic gold medal in August. She also has an Olympic bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and she was on the U.S.’ roster for the 2023 World Cup.

She scored the game-winning goal in the United States’ final game of 2024, a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Dec. 3.

Williams was selected by the Western New York Flash as the No. 6 overall draft pick in 2015. She helped the team win the NWSL Championship in 2016 and stayed with the franchise upon its relocation to become the North Carolina Courage, which dominated the NWSL and won both the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2018 and 2019. Williams, and the franchise (across two different names), appeared in four straight NWSL Championships from 2016-2019.

Williams was traded to the Kansas City Current in January 2022 but missed the entire season after sustaining a major hamstring injury in the preseason NWSL Challenge Cup. She was then traded from Kansas City to Gotham FC on draft day in 2023.

Miller also joined Gotham via trade from Kansas City, in 2024 the goalkeeper was exchanged for $70,000 in allocation money and a $30,000 intra-league transfer fee. The now 29-year-old began the 2024 season as Gotham’s starter in net but lost the spot midway through the season when German keeper Ann Katrin Berger joined the club.

The trade has Howell set to join her third NWSL club in five months. The former Mac Hermann Trophy winner was traded to Seattle from Racing Louisville over the summer for $50,000 and Bethany Balcer. The 25-year-old midfielder played eight matches for the Reign, starting five, but struggled to find her footing so quickly on a new team.

Now Howell will look to reach her potential on yet another new team. While lauded for her leadership in Louisville while serving as captain throughout her tenure there, the 2022 No. 2 overall draft pick has yet to consistently perform at the level expected based on her standout college career.

Follow every move with our transfer tracker

Keep up with all the signings and deals with our 2024-25 NWSL Offseason Transfer Tracker. Where applicable, we’ll also provide insight into what’s happening to give you the deeper context you expect from The Equalizer, leaders in women’s soccer coverage since 2009.

This runs in reverse chronological order, so scroll down to catch up.

Houston loans defender Jyllissa Harris to Ottawa Rapid FC

(March 10, 2025) The Houston Dash have loaned out defender Jyllissa Harris to Ottawa Rapid FC, in Canada’s Northern Super League. The loan will last through the 2025 calendar year. Harris made 14 appearances in her sophomore season last year.

Bay FC signs Catherine Paulson through June 30

(March 10, 2025) Bay FC has signed local talent Catherine Paulson to a half-year contract, through June 30, 2025. She joined Bay FC’s preseason camp as a non-roster invitee. Last season, she was part of the club’s National Team Replacement player pool. She played her college soccer at Stanford University from 2020-2023.

Portland Thorns sign goalkeeper Morgan Messner

(March 4, 2025) The Portland Thorns FC announced they signed goalkeeper Morgan Messner through the end of 2025. Messner, 25, spent her rookie season with the San Diego Wave last year.

Angel City sign college players Riley Tiernan, Hannah Johnson

(March 3, 2025) Angel City FC has signed two college players, the club announced. Forward Riley Tiernan signed a two-year contract out of Rutgers, with a club option for 2027. Midfielder Hannah Johnson has been signed through June 30, 2025, out of Mississippi State.

Spirit signs Mexican defender Rebeca Bernal to three-year deal

(Feb. 25, 2025) The Washington Spirit has signed Rebeca Bernal through 2027, the club announced. A transfer fee was paid to bring Bernal over from Mexican club CF Monterrey. The 27-year-old defender’s transfer had been reported at the beginning of February by Mexican outlets, but the Spirit only just went public with the news. Bernal, who has spent her entire professional career with Rayadas and can also play as a defensive midfielder, said last week that head coach Jonatan Giráldez wants to play her as a center back.

San Diego Wave signs Canadian forward Adriana Leon to two-year deal

(Feb. 24, 2025) San Diego Wave FC has signed Canadian forward Adriana Leon to a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The Olympic gold medalist joins San Diego from Aston Villa, where she played for the past two years. The 32-year old is continuing a lengthy career, having played for various clubs on both sides of the pond including with Manchester United, Portland Thorns, West Ham, Seattle Reign, and more. In addition to her club career, Leon has made 123 appearances for the Canadian national team and has scored 42 goals.

Angel City acquires Colombian international Maithé López; loans López to Lexington SC

(Feb. 21, 2025) Angel City FC has acquired forward Maithé López, a Colombian international, from Real Santander for a period of four years, in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee. Angel City announced that, in an effort to maximize her development, she will be loaned to Lexington SC in the USL Super League. “During her time on loan, she will be in constant communication with ACFC to track her technical and physical development and will return to Los Angeles in the summer months to train with the club,” the club press release stated.

Louisville signs Katie O’Kane from University of Utah

(Feb. 21, 2025) Racing Louisville announced the signing of former University of Utah midfielder Katie O’Kane. The 23-year-old join Racing Louisville as a non-roster invitee to training camp in January, the club shared. In college, she featured as a forward, but will join the Racing Louisville midfield corps. She played five collegiate seasons: three at the University of Utah and two at University of Washington.

KC Current extends Haley Hopkins

(Feb. 20, 2025) The Kansas City Current acquired Haley Hopkins in a trade earlier this offseason. On Feb. 20, the club extended her through the 2027 NWSL season, on a two-year deal. In two years at North Carolina, Hopkins made 36 regular-season appearances scoring four goals (three last year). She provided two assists.

NC Courage, Bianca St-Georges agree to mutual termination

(Feb. 18, 2025) The North Carolina Courage announced that they and forward Bianca St-Georges agreed to a mutual termination of St-George’s contract. The Canadian international is now free “to pursue other opportunities,” per the club’s press release. St-Georges played 766 normal-time minutes for the Courage in 2024 after signing a two-year free agent contract with the club.

San Diego Wave loans Mya Jones to AFC Toronto

(Feb. 17, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced that they loaned forward Mya Jones to AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League for the 2025 season. Jones made 19 regular-season appearances for San Diego in her rookie season in 2024, scoring two goals.

Katelyn Rowland announces retirement

(Feb. 14, 2025) Closing a ten-year professional career, goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland announced her retirement from professional football Friday. She leaves the NWSL having won four NWSL Championships and nine total trophies. Rowland had previously signed a multi-year contract through the 2025 season. In Bay FC’s inaugural season, Rowland started and played in 20 matches. Bay FC will now need to find a new starting goalkeeper, Melissa Lowder and Emmie Allen are the other rostered goalkeepers as of this announcement.

UPDATE: Rowland has accepted an assistant goalkeeping coach job at the North Carolina Courage, alongside head goalkeeping coach Nathan Thackeray.

Pride sign World Cup winner Oihane Hernández

(Feb. 14, 2025) The Orlando Pride has acquired defender Oihane Hernández on an immediate transfer from Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee and signed her to a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2027. Oihane won the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with Spain, appearing in six matches, and also represented Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Pride extends Cori Dyke through 2027

(Feb. 14, 2025) Following her rookie season with the reign NWSL champions and Shield-winners, the Pride extended defender Cori Dyke’s contract to remain with the club through 2027. In 2024, Dyke appeared in 26 matches for the Pride, including the NWSL Championship match where she played the full 90 minutes and contributed to the winner’s clean sheet.

Orlando Pride extends Emily Sams through 2027

(Feb. 13, 2025) The Orlando Pride have extended defender Emily Sams through the 2027 NWSL season. Sams, who was named the league’s Defender of the Year last season, has made 55 appearances with Orlando since her drafting in 2023.

Spirit signs defender Shadia Nankya

(Feb. 13, 2025) The Washington Spirit has signed the first-ever Ugandan player in the National Women’s Soccer League, inking Shadia Nankya to a two-year contract, with a club option for 2028. She joins the team from FC Masar in Egypt, with the Spirit paying a transfer fee. The defender has made five appearances for Uganda’s women’s national team, and she started all 27 of her appearances in Egypt (while attributing to 19 clean sheets).

Houston signs Swedish international Evelina Duljan

(Feb. 10, 2025) The Houston Dash have added Swedish international and midfielder Evelina Duljan to a one-year contract for the 2025 NWSL season. Duljan was most recently a member of the Orlando Pride, winning the 2024 NWSL title, and made eight regular-season appearances. The 21-year-old also won the Italian title with Juventus and previously spent time with Kristianstads DFF and Växjö DFF (loan).

Louisville parts ways with Linda Motlhalo

(Feb. 7, 2025) Racing Louisville announced an agreement with midfielder Linda Motlhalo to mutually terminate her contract, allowing Motlhalo to pursue other playing opportunities. The South African international joined Racing last spring and made three appearances for the club across all competitions.

Spirit loans Deborah Abiodun and Tamara Bolt to Dallas Trinity FC

(Feb. 7, 2025) The Washington Spirit announced an agreement to loan midfielder Deborah Abiodun and forward Tamara Bolt to the USL Super League’s Dallas Trinity FC. Both loans are for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year and involve Dallas paying an undisclosed loan fee to the Spirit. Each player previously occupied an international slot that will be vacated for the period of the loan.

Bay FC signs Hannah Bebar through 2027

(Feb. 7, 2025) Bay FC announced that the club signed three-time All-American midfielder Hannah Bebar to a three-year contract through 2027. Bebar played three seasons at Harvard and finished her collegiate career at Duke University where she is currently working on her master’s degree. As a result, Bebar is expected to join the team this spring.

Washington Spirit acquire midfielder Kysha Sylla on loan

(Feb. 6, 2025) The Washington Spirit announced that they have acquired 21-year-old midfielder Kysha Sylla on loan from Olympique Lyonnais through the end of 2025. Lyon is the Spirit’s sister club, with both owned by Michele Kang. Lyon recently signed Sylla to an extension through 2027.

Midge Purce signs one-year contract with Gotham FC

(Feb. 5, 2025) Gotham FC announced that 2023 NWSL Championship MVP Midge Purce is returning for a sixth year with the NJ/NY club on a new one-year deal after entering free agency. Purce’s 2024 campaign was interrupted by a season-ending knee injury but she will join the team at preseason training camp in Marbella, Spain.

Angel City acquires Savy King in trade with Bay FC

(Feb. 3, 2025) Angel City FC has acquired forward Savy King from Bay FC in a trade. King played in 18 NWSL regular-season matches in her 2024 rookie season. In return, Bay FC has acquired $300,000 in intra-league transfer fees, with $200K coming in 2025 and $100K in 2026. In addition, Bay FC also obtained a 10% sell-on fee.

Tarciane departs Houston Dash for Lyon

(Feb. 2, 2025) Brazilian defender Tarciane has departed from the Houston Dash and has signed with Olympique Lyonnais. According to the Dash, the transfer fee is the highest in club history and the second-highest in the NWSL, behind the recent transfer fee of Naomi Girma by Chelsea FC. The center back made 11 regular-season appearances for the Dash in 2024. She began her career in Brazil with Fluminense, where she remained until 2021 after signing with Corinthians. Tarciane has seven senior Brazil national team appearances, and won a silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Bay FC signs defender Kelli Hubly through 2026

(Jan. 31, 2025) Bay FC has announced the signing of defender Kelli Hubly, inking a two-year deal with the two-time NWSL champion. Hubly spent the entirety of her career, from 2017-24, with the Portland Thorns, where she made 82 starts in 97 regular-season appearances. Last year, she hit the 2,000-minute mark in NWSL play.

Angel City signs Japanese international Miyabi Moriya to one-year deal

(Jan. 31, 2025) Japanese international Miyabi Moriya is the newest member of Angel City FC. The defender has signed a one-year deal, with a club option for the 2026 NWSL season. She arrives to the NWSL from INAC Kobe Leonessa, where she has spent her entire career since her debut in 2015. Moriya made 118 appearances for the Japanese side, and helped the team win its first-ever WE League title in 2022. Last year, she was named the WE League Valuable Player, and earned a spot on the league’s Best XI.

Orlando Pride acquires Prisca Chilufya from FC Juarez

(Jan. 31, 2025) The Orlando Pride have acquired Zambian international striker Prisca Chilufya from Liga MX Femenil side FC Juarez, signing her through the 2027 NWSL season. Chilufya spent three seasons in Mexico, scoring 14 goals in 48 appearances. She has made three senior national team appearances for Zambia. Chilufya will be reuniting with her countrywomen Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda, and is the fourth Zambian in the league, along with Racheal Kundananji of Bay FC.

Houston Dash sign Yazmeen Ryan through 2027

(Jan. 31, 2025) Yazmeen Ryan, who was acquired by the Houston Dash this offseason in a trade with Gotham FC, has signed a contract extension with the Dash. The deal is through the 2027 NWSL season.

NC Courage loan Victoria Pickett to AFC Toronto

(Jan. 31, 2025) Victoria Pickett is heading back to her native Canada, going on loan from the North Carolina Courage to AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League. The loan goes into effect on February 1, 2025, and will last through December 31, 2025, the entirety of the NWSL season. In two seasons, Pickett made 29 regular-season appearances for North Carolina. She formerly featured for Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current.

KC Current acquires Haley Hopkins via trade

(Jan. 30, 2025) The Kansas City Current announced a trade with the North Carolina Courage that sends forward Haley Hopkins to the Current in exchange for $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Hopkins was the No. 11 pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.

Gotham FC transfers Jenna Nighswonger to Arsenal

(Jan. 30, 2025) U.S. international winger Jenna Nighswonger is now a member of Arsenal FC. NJ/NY Gotham FC announced the transfer to the London club for an undisclosed fee in the final hours of England’s transfer window. Nighswonger was the fourth overall pick by Gotham in the 2023 NWSL Draft and helped the team win a championship as a rookie. She was also named 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year. Her play earned her a call-up to the U.S. national team, where she quickly took hold of a fullback role and made the 2024 Olympic team, which won a gold medal.

INSIGHT: Nighswonger’s move to Arsenal give the Gunners two U.S. international fullbacks. Emily Fox made the move to Arsenal last winter. It also continues an undeniable exodus from Gotham just one year after the formation of a purported super team. Nighswonger joins Lynn Biyendolo (nee Williams), Crystal Dunn, Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan, among other starters and regulars, who left Gotham this offseason.

— Jeff Kassouf

Orlando Pride transfer Adriana to Saudi Arabia

(Jan. 30, 2025) The Orlando Pride have transferred Brazilian forward Adriana to Saudi Arabia club Al Qadsiah FC. Sources told The Equalizer that the transfer fee was $500,000, making it the third largest outgoing fee in NWSL history. Adriana, who was a starter for the Pride on the team’s run to the 2024 NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship double, requested the transfer.

Elexa Bahr loaned from Racing Louisville to Colombia’s América de Cali Feminino

(Jan. 30, 2025) Elexa Bahr has been loaned from Racing Louisville back to her native Colombia, and with her former club América de Cali Feminino. The loan spell will be for the entirety of the 2025 NWSL season. “This is an opportunity with her former club that’s great for continued development. We look forward to supporting her in this process,” Racing coach Bev Yanez said.

Lily Woodham’s loan extended through June 2025

(Jan. 29, 2025) Defender Lily Woodham will remain with Crystal Palace FC until at least June 30th, the club announced today. Woodham’s loan was extended for six months.

Utah Royals sign defender Nuria Rábano

(Jan. 29, 2025) The Utah Royals announced they have signed defender Nuria Rábano from VfL Wolfsburg. The 25-year-old Spanish international has spent the majority of her career as a left back. The Royals have now filled seven of eight possible international roster slots.

Gotham FC signs midfielder Sofia Cook

(Jan. 29, 2025) Gotham FC signed UCLA midfielder Sofia Cook to a contract through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027. Cook, 20, played three seasons with the Bruins and logged 1,256 minutes in the 2024 season.

Temwa Chawinga extends contract with Kansas City Current

(Jan. 29, 2025) Temwa Chawinga has extended her contract with the Kansas City Current through 2028, the club announced today. Chawinga is the reigning NWSL Most Valuable Player.

Alyssa and Gisele Thompson extend contracts with Angel City FC

(Jan. 29, 2025) Alyssa and Gisele Thompson have each extended their contracts with Angel City through 2028, respectively, the club announced today.

Maximiliane Rall signs with VfB Stuttgart

(Jan. 28, 2025) Defender Maximiliane Rall has signed with German club VfB Stuttgart on a free transfer, the club announced on Wednesday. Rall spent one season with Chicago Stars FC. Stuttgart currently plays in the Frauen-Regionalliga Süd, part of the third division of German women’s football.

Milly Clegg loaned to Halifax Tides FC in the Northern Super League

(Jan. 28, 2025) Forward Milly Clegg has been loaned to Halifax Tides FC in Canada’s Northern Super League, the club announced. Clegg, 19, is a New Zealand international.

Kristen Hamilton re-signs with Kansas City Current

(Jan. 28, 2025) Forward Kristen Hamilton has signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Current, the club announced. The contract includes a mutual option for 2026.

Elizabeth Ball re-signs with Kansas City Current

(Jan. 28, 2025) Defender Elizabeth Ball has signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Current, the club announced. The contract includes a mutual option for 2027.

Houston Dash acquires forward Messiah Bright in trade with Angel City

(Jan. 27, 2025) The Houston Dash have acquired forward Messiah Bright in a trade with Angel City FC. In return, Angel City will receive $100,000 of intra-league transfer funds from Houston, along with up to $50,000 in performance-based incentives. In 2024, Bright appeared in 21 regular-season matches. She was drafted by the Orlando Pride in 2023 out of Texas Christian University. She is a Dallas, Texas native.

San Diego Wave acquires Kenza Dali

(Jan. 24, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced they acquired French international midfielder Kenza Dali from the Women’s Super League’s Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. Dali’s contract with the Wave runs through the 2026 season and she will occupy an international roster spot. The midfielder has earned 75 caps and scored 13 goals for the France women’s national team, including major tournament appearances in the FIFA Women’s World Cup (2019, 2023), 2022 UEFA European Championship and 2024 Paris Olympics.

Chicago Stars sign Micayla Johnson via U-18 entry mechanism

(Jan. 24, 2025) United States U-17 women’s youth national team forward Micayla Johnson signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Stars. Johnson made their first appearance for the U.S. U-17 YWNT in July 2024 and then earned a spot on the roster for the 2024 FIFA U-17 World Cup where the U.S. eventually finished in third place. Following camp with the youth national team, Johnson will join Chicago Stars FC for preseason training.

Portland Thorns sign Deyna Castellanos

(Jan. 24, 2025) Portland Thorns FC announced they signed free agent Deyna Castellanos to a contract through the 2026 NWSL season with a club option for 2027.

Deyna Castellanos enters free agency after Bay FC buys out remainder of contract

(Jan. 23, 2025) Bay FC announced that they came to a mutual agreement with Deyna Castellanos regarding her contract so she could depart Bay FC and enter free agency. Castellanos agreed to a buyout of her over $1 million contract that ran through 2026, with a mutual option for 2027. The attacker was initially acquired for a fee from Manchester City ahead of Bay FC’s inaugural 2024 season. The Venezuelan international appeared in 25 matches but saw her playing time dwindle throughout the season.

Portland Thorns sign defender Jayden Perry

(Jan. 22, 2025) The Portland Thorns have signed former UCLA defender Jayden Perry to a one-year contract. Perry spent four years at UCLA, appearing in 86 games. She played in 22 games as a centerback and helped the Bruins pitch a nation-leading 16 shutouts and a nation-low 0.41 goals against average.

NC Courage acquire midfielder Shinomi Koyama

(Jan. 21, 2025) The North Carolina Courage have acquired Japanese midfielder Shinomi Koyama on a transfer from Swedish club Djurgården, as first reported by The Equalizer. The Courage did not announce the transfer fee, but a source with knowledge of the deal told The Equalizer it was a $225,000 transfer fee. Koyama captained Japan at last year’s U-20 World Cup as the team finished runners-up. She played at the U-20 World Cup alongside Manaka Matsukubo, who already plays for the Courage. Her new contract keeps her with the Courage through the 2027 season.

Houston Dash sign midfielders Danielle Colaprico, Maggie Graham

(Jan. 21, 2025) The Houston Dash have signed veteran NWSL midfielder Danielle Colaprico through the 2026 season. Colaprico was a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the San Diego Wave.

Houston also signed midfielder Maggie Graham through 2027, the Dash’s first college signing in the new NWSL setup without a draft. Graham was a finalist for the MAC Herman Trophy, given to college soccer’s best player, after five seasons at Duke University. She helped the Blue Devils reach the national semifinals and scored 14 goals in her final college season.

Alanna Kennedy signs with Angel City FC

(Jan. 21, 2025) Alanna Kennedy has signed with Angel City FC, the club announced on Tuesday. Her contract is active through 2025 with a mutual option for 2026. The Australian defender celebrated her 30th birthday on the same day as the announcement. Kennedy has been with Manchester City since 2021. She is no stranger to the NWSL, having spent four seasons with the Western New York Flash and Orlando Pride, respectively.

INSIGHT: Angel City needed to shore up their central defense, and badly. The trade of Paige Nielsen to the Houston Dash last April pushed Megan Reid to the top of the depth chart, with rookie Madison Curry taking minutes alongside Sarah Gorden, as well. Kennedy is a well-seasoned professional with three World Cups and three Olympics tournaments under her belt for Australia. On its face, this is an upgrade for Angel City’s backline.

But Kennedy isn’t the same player she once was. Her pace has noticeably eroded in recent years, and her presence in Australia’s starting lineup at recent major tournaments has been driven less by talent and more by a lack of better available options. Kennedy was badly exposed in her positioning during the Olympics last summer, and hasn’t been Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor’s first choice in the past few months.

Angel City still doesn’t have a permanent head coach, and Sarah Gorden, despite her career resurgence since her ACL tear, is also on the wrong side of 30. How will the side manage counterattacks, given their brittleness in those areas last season? Time will tell. Kennedy is well known in women’s soccer and has played on the world’s biggest stages. She may not be the answer to plugging Angel City’s leaking ship.

— Evan Davis

Jen Beattie retires from professional football

(Jan. 21, 2025) Defender Jennifer Beattie announced her retirement from professional football on Tuesday. The 33-year-old Scotland international most recently spent a season with Bay FC in their inaugural campaign.

San Diego Wave exercise 2025 option on Kyra Carusa, re-signs Kristen McNabb

(Jan. 21, 2025) As part of announcing their 2025 preseason roster, the San Diego Wave announced that they re-signed defender Kristen McNabb to a new contract through 2026 and Kyra Carusa’s 2025 player option was exercised.

San Diego Wave sign goalkeeper DiDi Haračić

(Jan. 20, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced the signing of goalkeeper DiDi Haračić to a one-year contract. Haračić turns 33 in April. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international spent three seasons as the starting goalkeeper for Angel City FC.

San Diego Wave sign Nigeria international Favour Emmanuel

(Jan. 20, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced the signing of midfielder Favour Emmanuel to a two-year contract, with a mutual option for 2027. The 22-year-old Nigerian comes from one season with Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian Women’s Football Championship.

Washington Spirit sign goalkeeper Sandy MacIver

(Jan. 20, 2025) The Washington Spirit announced that they have signed goalkeeper Sandy MacIver via transfer from Manchester City. The England international inked a three-year extension with a mutual option for 2028.

San Diego Wave sign Colombian international Sintia Cabezas

(Jan. 20, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced the signing of Sintia Cabezas, a Colombian international, to a two-year deal, through the 2026 NWSL season. As part of the deal, she will join Lexington SC of the USL Super League for the 2025 season. Cabezas made her professional debut at the age of 16 with her hometown club América de Cali in Colombia. She has 24 appearances for Colombia’s U-20 national team.

Racing Louisville sign Allie George to one-year deal

(Jan. 20, 2025) Allie George, who recently finished her collegiate career with Virginia Tech, has signed a one-year deal with Racing Louisville for the 2025 season. George, a defender, is from Louisville and made 77 appearances at Virginia Tech. She scored six goals and provided four assists. For the last three summers she played for the Racing Louisville USL W-League team.

Christen Press signs one-year contract keeping her with Angel City

(Jan. 17, 2025) Veteran forward Christen Press agreed to a new one-year contract with Angel City FC, keeping her with the club through the 2025 NWSL season. Angel City’s first-ever player signing has only appeared in 24 matches for the club but returned to the active roster on July 31, 2024, 781 days and several surgeries after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Despite significant time away from the pitch Press remains tied for eighth on the NWSL all-time scoring list, having netted 51 goals in 112 career appearances in all NWSL competitions. This is Angel City’s first signing under new sporting director Mark Parsons.

Racing Louisville sign Nebraska forward Sarah Weber

(Jan. 17, 2025) Former University of Nebraska standout and youth international Sarah Weber has signed a two-year deal with Racing Louisville. A three-time All-Big Ten First Team selection, Weber finished her college career with 43 goals and 16 assists in 78 games. The 21-year-old also boasts U.S. Youth National Team experience.

Houston Dash acquire Abby Smith from Gotham FC

(Jan. 17, 2025) In a trade with NJ/NY Gotham FC, the Houston Dash have acquired goalkeeper Abby Smith in exchange for $20,000 of intra-league transfer funds. Smith is a two-time NWSL champion and on-time NWSL Shield winner. Over her career, Smith has started 60 regular season games and tallied 14 clean sheets. On the way to her second NWSL Championship in 2023, Smith appeared in 15 games for Gotham and earned five Save of the Week honors.

Hannah Betfort joins North Carolina Courage

(Jan. 17, 2025) The North Carolina Courage have signed free agent forward Hannah Betfort — as first reported by The Equalizer — to a two-year contract through the 2026 NWSL season, plus a mutual option for 2027. Betfort joins North Carolina after one year with Utah Royals FC, having played the three prior seasons for the Portland Thorns.

San Diego Wave sign UNC defender Trinity Armstrong

(Jan. 16, 2025) San Diego Wave FC announced the signing of Trinity Armstrong to a three-year contract through the 2027 season. The 17-year-old is coming off winning the NCAA National Championship with the University of North Carolina in her standout freshman season where she was named to the All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Freshman Team. Armstrong is an experienced youth international, named one of five nominees for U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year after helping earn a bronze medal at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Racing Louisville signs Duke outside back Ella Hase

(Jan 16. 2025) Racing Louisville announced the signing of rookie Ella Hase, who will join the team after a standout career at Duke University. For the Blue Devils, Hase had 13 assists in the 2024 season and helped the team make it to the 2024 College Cup. Hase totaled 93 collegiate appearances through her five seasons, with 17 goals and 23 assists to her name.

Chicago Stars sign midfielder Manaka Hayashi

(Jan 15. 2025) Chicago Stars FC have signed Japan U-20 midfielder Manaka Hayashi through the 2027 NWSL season. Hayashi has been the captain of Japan’s U-20 team since 2023. She played for Santa Clara University in 2024.

San Diego Wave acquire forward Gia Corley

(Jan. 15, 2025) San Diego Wave FC has acquired 22-year-old forward Gia Corley via transfer from German club TSG Hoffenheim for an undisclosed fee. She has signed a contract with the Wave through the 2026 NWSL season. Corley spent four seasons at Hoffenheim, tallying 14 goals and 12 assists in 70 appearances. She turned pro as a 16-year-old with Bayern Munich. Corley has represented Germany from the U-17 to U-23 levels.

Sarah Griffith signs six-month contract with Chicago Stars FC

(Jan. 14, 2025) Midfielder Sarah Griffith signed a contract with Chicago Stars FC through June 30, 2025, the club announced today. The 25-year-old re-joins the club at which she has spent her entire professional career in the United States. Griffith logged 243 minutes in the 2024 NWSL season, losing the final six weeks to an ankle injury. Griffith is Chicago’s first signing since rosters were announced in early December.

Lauren Barnes re-signs with Seattle Reign FC

(Jan. 14, 2025) Lauren Barnes is returning to the Seattle Reign, the club announced. The 35-year-old defender signed a new one-year contract, keeping her with the club until the end of 2025. Barnes holds the NWSL record for games played, games started, and minutes played. She joins teammate Jess Fishlock as the only active players to play every single NWSL season for the same club since the league’s inception in 2013.

NC Courage acquire midfielder Jaedyn Shaw

(Jan. 14, 2025) The North Carolina Courage have acquired U.S. international Jaedyn Shaw, as first reported by The Equalizer. The deal will see the San Diego Wave receive $300,000 in allocation money, $150,000 in intra-league funds, and an international roster spot for 2025 and 2026. Pending conditions met — which the clubs did not specify — the Courage could send up to $75,000 more in allocation money to the Wave this year in exchange for up to $150,000 in additional intra-league transfer funds. The conditions, per a source with knowledge of the deal, revolve around the Courage acquiring more allocation money in 2025 and allow the Wave to acquire that at a 2-to-1 rate — $2 in intra-league transfer fund dollars to $1 in allocation money. They are not performance-based incentives around Shaw’s play.

INSIGHT: First, let’s talk about Shaw. I’m on record as saying she might be the most exciting young attacker in the U.S. pool. The question is and has been: Where on the field should she play? No. 10 is the easy answer, but nothing is easy with other talented players. As the Courage roster stands now, Shaw looks like she would be a false nine in North Carolina, interchanging with Ashley Sanchez. Or maybe the Courage roll it back to the days of a double-10, with Denise O’Sullivan protecting the defensive midfield. The loss or Narumi Miura to the Washington Spirit in free agency could force a midfield shape change, anyway. That could be the attack-heavy midfield trio with Hannah Betfort (a signing previously reported by The Equalizer) or other forwards by committee up top.

One thing this Shaw move almost certainly implies is that the Courage have conceded on the ability to re-sign 2023 NWSL MVP Kerolin, who would otherwise be that forward. This is a huge stack of money to spend on Shaw, and it’s nearly impossible to believe there’s enough left over to pay Kerolin what sources have said for months will is a relatively large asking price.

As for the money and the conditional trade, this piece helps explain the difference between allocation money and intra-league transfer funds. Allocation money is more valuable, so this side deal is effectively the Wave saying they would rather have allocation money, and the Courage not having enough of that up front or not wanting to give up enough up front (see my Kerolin point) to make this trade for entirely allocation money.

— Jeff Kassouf

Orlando transfers GK Sofia Manner to AFC Toronto

(Jan. 14, 2025) The Orlando Pride has transferred goalkeeper Sofia Manner to AFC Toronto of Canada’s Northern Super League for an undisclosed fee. Manner appeared in one game for the club in 2024, a 2-2 draw vs. CF Monterrey in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Canada’s NSL kicks off its first season this spring.

San Diego acquires forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu

(Jan. 13, 2025) The San Diego Wave have signed 19-year-old Nigerian striker Chiamaka Okwuchukwu to a one-year contract through 2025. The Wave paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Nigerian Women’s Premier League club Rivers Angels FC. Okwuchukwu tallied two goals and an assist in four games at the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup. She will occupy an international roster spot for San Diego.

Utah Royals sign free agent Tatum Milazzo

(Jan. 13, 2025) The Utah Royals announced the signing of free agent Tatum Milazzo, a defender who most recently played for the Chicago Red Stars for four seasons. Milazzo’s deal with the Royals puts her in Utah through the 2026 season. Milazzo has 70 career NWSL appearances and has scored four career goals.

Seattle Reign signs Maddie Mercado to new contract

(Jan. 13, 2025) The Seattle Reign has re-signed midfielder Maddie Mercado to a one-year contract. In 2024, Mercado was selected by the Reign as the 27th overall pick in the now-defunct NWSL draft. Mercado made five appearances in her rookie season and scored one goal.

Utah Royals release Nyberg and Vasconcelos

(Jan. 13, 2025) The Utah Royals announced that they would buy out the remainder of the contracts of midfielder Agnes Nyberg and forward Michele Vasconcelos. The two are now free agents. Nyberg’s 2024 season with the Royals was set back by injuries, but she still logged 651 minutes in 11 appearances. Vasconcelos played in 17 matches during the 2024 season and logged 311 minutes.

Zara Chavoshi will join Orlando Pride for rookie season

(Jan. 13, 2025) The Orlando Pride announced the signing of defender Zara Chavoshi for a one-year contract. Chavoshi, who is finishing up at Wake Forest University, will be the first player the Pride has signed out of college, as the NWSL removed its draft in 2024. Chavoshi made a big difference on the defensive line for Wake Forest. Per the Orlando Pride press release, in 2024, she started in all 24 matches and recorded two assists.

Utah Royals sign Aisha Solórzano from Club Tijuana

(Jan. 13, 2025) The Utah Royals have signed Aisha Solórzano through the 2027 season. Solórzano, a forward, comes from Club Tijuana in the Liga MX Femenil. Solórzano has had a standout year in the Liga MX, scoring 16 goals in 16 matches for her side. Solórzano also gained attention during the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, where she scored four goals in three games, including a hat trick in a win over Seattle Reign.

Manaka Matsukubo signs contract extension with Courage

(Jan. 10, 2025) The North Carolina Courage and forward Manaka Matsukubo have agreed to a contract extension through the 2026 season. The Japanese international initially joined the club on loan in July 2023 and the Courage exercised their option to purchase her contract outright last June following the year-long loan from Mynavi Sendai. Matsukubo led Japan to a silver medal at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup over the summer, winning the tournament’s Silver Ball, leading to her first senior call-up in October.

Ana María Guzmán joins Utah Royals via loan

(Jan. 10, 2025) Utah Royals FC announced an agreement with FC Bayern Munich for Ana María Guzmán on a one-year loan for the 2025 NWSL season. The Colombian international will occupy an international spot. Just 19 years old, the defender is in the midst of the second season of her four-year contract with Bayern.

Gotham FC signs goalkeeper Ryan Campbell

(Jan. 10, 2025) Gotham FC signed UCLA goalkeeper Ryan Campbell to a contract through the 2025 season. Campbell played her final college season with the UCLA Bruins, playing every minute of every match, leading the nation in clean sheets, and being named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. Before the 2024 season, Campbell played four standout seasons at Stanford. The goalkeeper has also participated in U.S. youth national team camps at the U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-23 levels.

Jordyn Bloomer signs new deal with Racing Louisville

(Jan. 10, 2025) Racing Louisville and goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer agreed to a new two-year contract to keep the 27-year-old in Louisville through the 2026 season. Bloomer has so far played three seasons professionally, all with Racing, and made three total appearances in alll competitions. Racing had recently picked up her 2025 contract option but this “updated agreement includes fresh terms for Bloomer,” the team announced.

Bay FC pens contract with Taylor Huff

(Jan. 9, 2025) Bay FC announced the signing of three-time All American Taylor Huff through the 2027 season. The contract also includes an option for 2028. This contract is the first professional one for Huff, who comes from Florida State University, one of the top NCAA women’s soccer programs in the country. Huff also recently earned a call-up to the USWNT Futures Camp, which will take place in Carson, CA from Jan. 14-21.

Marta commits to two more years in Orlando

(Jan. 9, 2025) After leading the Orlando Pride to a historic NWSL Shield and Championship in 2024, Marta signed a new two-year contract with the Pride. Six-time world player of the year has played her entire NWSL career in Orlando and will continue to through 2026.

Washington Spirit sign Brazilian forward Tamara Bolt

(Jan. 9, 2025) The Washington Spirit have signed Brazilian forward Tamara Bolt on a one-year deal, with player options for 2026 and 2027. Bolt comes from Brazilian club SC International, where, during her three season, she appeared in 36 matches, played almost 2,500 minutes, and scored six goals.

Utah Royals sign Mandy McGlynn through 2029

(Jan. 9, 2025) The Utah Royals and goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn have agreed on a contract extension through 2029. McGlynn, a potential replacement for Alyssa Naeher at the USWNT level, logged 84 saves in the Royals’ 2024 season. She received eight nominations for Save of the Week and won once in 2024. McGlynn earned her first cap on Oct. 30 and will attend the upcoming USWNT January camp.

Portland Thorns sign rookie Pietra Tordoin

(Jan. 8, 2025) The Portland Thorns signed Pietra Tordin of U-20 USYNT fame to a contract through 2026. Tordin, a top scorer at the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a starter in five of the team’s six matches, will also become the sixth-all time former Princeton Tiger to play in the National Women’s Soccer League. Tordin will also have a player option for 2027.

NC Courage extend contract of GK Marisa Bova

(Jan. 8, 2025) The North Carolina Courage have signed goalkeeper Marisa Bova to contract extension through the 2027 season. Bova was already under contract through 2025. She was the 45th pick in the 2022 draft and made her pro debut in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, starting all four matches for the Courage while No. 1 Casey Murphy was at the Olympics with the United States.

Seattle Reign sign forward Maddie Dahlien

(Jan. 8, 2025) Seattle Reign announced that they have signed University of North Carolina forward Maddie Dahlien to a three-year contract through the 2027 NWSL season. The 20-year-old spent three years at UNC where she recorded seven goals and 13 assists across 65 matches. This past season she led her team with seven assists on the way to winning the 2024 NCAA Division I National Championship. The experienced youth international recently earned a bronze medal with the U.S. at the U-20 Women’s World Cup alongside Reign teammates Jordyn Bugg and Emeri Adames. She played all seven matches in the tournament, scoring two goals in group play and forcing the game-winning goal against the Netherlands in the bronze-medal match. Dahlien was named to the 2025 USWNT Futures Camp roster earlier today.

Seattle Reign sign defender Emily Mason

(Jan. 8, 2025) Seattle Reign announced that they have signed 22-year-old Rutgers defender Emily Mason for the 2025 NWSL season. Mason is the club’s first college athlete signing since the abolition of the NWSL Draft. Earlier in the day, the New Jersey native was selected for the 2025 USWNT Futures Camp on top of a prolific career in the youth setup. The defender was named to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2022 and 2024 and the Second Team in 2023, in addition to several United Soccer Coaches accolades.

Kansas City Current signs Clare Gagne, Katie Scott, Mary Long

(Jan. 8, 2025) The Kansas City Current have signed three players from the college game: goalkeeper Clare Gagne, ex-Penn State defender Katie Scott, and ex-Duke forward Mary Long, who is the daughter of Angie and Chris Long, the Current’s majority co-owners. Mary Long played in 15 games as a freshman at Duke and helped the U-17 U.S. women’s national team win a bronze medal at the 2024 World Cup. She trained with Kansas City’s first team for most of the past two years. Scott was also on that U-17 team and played in 11 games as a freshman at Penn State. Gagne began her college career at Brown before transferring to North Carolina, where she started every game in net as a graduate student to help the Tar Heels win their first NCAA title since 2012.

Gotham FC signs forward Khyah Harper

(Jan. 8, 2025) NJ/NY Gotham FC has signed forward Khyah Harper to a one-year contract. Harper finished her college career at the University of Minnesota in 2024 and was a semifinalist for the MAC Herman Trophy, awarded to the best college player of the year. She registered 20 goals and 14 assists in 68 games at Minnesota.

Paige Monaghan and Utah Royals agree to contract extension

(Jan. 7, 2025) Paige Monaghan will be with the Utah Royals for at least three more seasons, the club announced today. The 28-year-old winger signed an extension that will keep her with the Royals through the end of 2027.

Washington announces signing of Deborah Abiodun and Emma Gaines-Ramos

(Jan. 6, 2025) The Washington Spirit announced the signing of Nigerian international Deborah Abiodun, along with San Diego State product Emma Gaines-Ramos. Abiodun signed a three-year deal with a club option for 2028, while Gaines-Ramos signed a two-year deal. Abiodun waived two more years of eligibility from the University of Pittsburgh, where she played under former Nigeria manager Randy Waldrum.

INSIGHT: Abiodun was put on the world stage at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a big task: defend Christine Sinclair. Since then, she’s been a staple in the formerly-led Waldrum squad. She’ll have a new national team head coach, but she’ll remain on the squad. In college, Abiodun scored 10 goals and provided three assists in 34 games. In 2024, she battled through various injuries and the fatigue that came with the Olympics and an immediate nose-dive into the college season. However, Abiodun still had a productive season and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Third Roster. Her decision to sign with Washington is an interesting choice, as she joins a hefty, and crowded, midfield that includes Croix Bethune, Leicy Santos, Andi Sullivan, Hal Hershfelt and recent acquisition Narumi Miura. — Rachael Kriger

San Diego Wave and Emily van Egmond mutually agree to terminate contract

(Jan. 3, 2024) Australian midfielder Emily van Egmond had signed with the San Diego Wave through the 2025 season but the club announced a mutual agreement to terminate the contract early. The 31-year-old, who was acquired via trade with Orlando Pride ahead of the Wave’s inaugural season, played 26 matches and 1,890 minutes in 2024 as the team finished 10th in the NWSL.

Arin Wright signs new two-year contract with Racing Louisville

(Jan. 3, 2024) Veteran defender Arin Wright is staying in Louisville through at least 2026 thanks to a new contract with her hometown club that includes an option for the 2027 season “that will automatically trigger should specific benchmarks be reached.” After spending the first eight years of her professional career in Chicago, Wright made 22 appearances for Racing in 2024, playing a key role across multiple backline positions.

Lilly Reale signs multi-year contract with Gotham FC

(Jan. 3, 2024) UCLA defender Lilly Reale is set to join Gotham FC after signing a contract with the NJ/NY club through 2027. The 21-year-old made 83 appearances over four years with the UCLA Bruins, recording three goals and four assists in 7,100 minutes of play and winning conference Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive seasons. In both 2023 and 2024, Reale was a semifinalist for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy. Internationally, Reale has represented the United States at the U-17 and U-20 levels.

Shelby Hogan traded to Gotham FC

(Dec. 31, 2024) The Portland Thorns have traded goalkeeper Shelby Hogan and $40,000 in allocation money to Gotham FC, in exchange for a 2025 international roster spot and $10,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Hogan, who turns 27 in May, spent most of the 2024 season as Portland’s starting keeper while Bella Bixby was on maternity leave, logging nearly 2,200 regular-season minutes and producing league-average shotstopping value, per advanced data. Gotham had been seeking a keeper to back up Ann-Katrin Berger, given Abby Smith’s current status on the season-ending injury list.

Jéssica Silva extends Gotham FC contract through June 2025

(Dec. 31, 2024) Portuguese international Jéssica Silva signed a new contract with Gotham FC keeping her with the club through June 30, 2025. Silva was a free agent this offseason after only playing two regular season matches and 44 minutes in 2024.

Mia Justus joins the Utah Royals

(Dec. 30, 2024) The Utah Royals have added goalkeeper Mia Justus to the roster, signing a three-year deal through the 2027 NWSL season. There was no club option indicated. She made 105 saves in her final season, and totaled 194 in her Texas career. She played at Florida State in 2021 and 2022.

Cal Berkley forward Karlie Lema signs with Bay FC

(Dec. 30, 2024) Bay FC has added local talent Karlie Lema to their roster, as the former University of California, Berkley, forward signed a three-year contract through the 2027 NWSL season, with a club option for 2028. In four seasons with Cal, Lema scored 31 goals in 76 matches. She recorded 12 assists in four seasons.

Nicole Barnhart announces retirement from pro soccer

(Dec. 30, 2024) Nicole Barnhart, legendary U.S. women’s national team and NWSL goalkeeper, has announced her retirement. Her most recent club was the Washington Spirit. Barnhart made three appearances in 2024. She won the NWSL Championship with FC Kansas City in 2014 and 2015. Barnhart, who is 43 years old, won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s national team in 2008 and 2012.

Gotham FC signs Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho

(Dec. 30, 2024) NJ/NY Gotham FC has signed Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho on a free transfer from Brazilian club Corinthians. Portilho is signed through 2026 with an option for 2027. The 29-year-old scored in both the quarterfinal and semifinal in Brazil’s run to an Olympic silver medal in August. She has 26 caps for Brazil. Read more here.

Houston Dash trade $400,000 to Gotham for Yazmeen Ryan

(Dec. 27, 2024) The trade that The Equalizer reported on the day prior is now official: The Houston Dash have acquired forward/midfielder Yazmeen Ryan from NJ/NY Gotham FC in exchange for $400,000 in allocation money, a new league record. The deal is one of the most expensive intra-league transfers in NWSL history. (Houston received $500,000 total in exchange for Maria Sanchez earlier this year; $200,000 of that was allocation money.) Also as part of the deal, the Dash received $80,000 in intra-league transfer funds, and Gotham FC received a 2025 international roster spot.

INSIGHT: Winds of change continue at both Gotham and Houston. It hasn’t quite been a mass exodus from Gotham yet, but between this and trading Lynn Williams to Seattle Reign FC last week, there’s clear change afoot for the 2023 NWSL champions. Change is constant in the NWSL, so that isn’t entirely abnormal, but the turnover is worth monitoring as the offseason continues. For Houston, Ryan is another positive sign for a team that in 2024 finished in last place, fired its general manager, and eventually parted with its absentee first-year coach. As far as the money? Yes, it’s a big number, and allocation money is something of a rare and desired jewel in NWSL right now. Allocation money allows teams to spend over the cap. As of this year, teams could not ‘purchase’ more of it. All allocation money floating around in the NWSL ecosystem must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026, so it’s use it or lose it — and everyone wants some. Let’s see what Gotham plans to do with it. — Jeff Kassouf

Gotham acquires Ghanaian midfielder Stella Nyamekye

(Dec. 24, 2024) NJ/NY Gotham FC has acquired 19-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Stella Nyamekye (nyah-meh-che) from Dreamz Ladies FC of the Ghana Women’s Premier League in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee, pending receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Nyamekye has signed a three-year contract through 2027, with a mutual option for 2028, the club announced. Nyamekye captained Ghana’s 2024 U-20 World Cup team.

Portland Thorns re-sign goalkeeper Bella Bixby

(Dec. 23, 2024)The Portland Thorns FC have signed goalkeeper Bella Bixby to a contract extension through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. Bixby was drafted by Portland in 2018 and helped the Thorns win the 2021 NWSL Shield and 2022 NWSL Championship.

Kansas City Current sign Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena

(Dec. 23, 2024) The Kansas City Current have signed Brazilian international goalkeeper Lorena da Silva Leite — known as Lorena — to a three-year contract through 2027 with an option for 2028. The Current paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Brazilian club Grêmio.

INSIGHT: This and the Laurel Ivory signing suggest more movement in net for Kansas City. The summer arrival of Almuth Schult helped solidify Kansas City’s defense, but Schult won’t return to the club. — Jeff Kassouf

San Diego Wave re-sign goalkeeper Hillary Beall

(Dec. 23, 2024) Hillary Beall has re-signed with the San Diego Wave through the 2025 NWSL season. Beall made five appearances for the Wave in 2024, after being traded to the California club from Racing Louisville FC.

Angel City signs Macey Hodge from Mississippi State

(Dec. 23, 2024) Angel City FC has signed SEC Midfielder of the Year Macey Hodge to a two-year deal through 2026, with a club option for 2027. The Mississippi State alum made 97 appearances in college, recording five assists. She was also named to the 2024 First Team All-SEC list, along with being a Mac Herman semifinalist.

Gotham signs Sarah Schupansky from Univ. of Pittsburgh

(Dec. 23, 2024) Gotham FC has signed forward Sarah Schupansky to a two-year deal with a club option for 2027. Schupansky is coming off a four-year collegiate career with the University of Pittsburgh. She led the entire NCAA in assists in 2024 with 15, while also scoring seven goals. In four seasons, she accounted for 32 goals and 43 assists. In 2023, she was the first-ever Pitt Panther named to the All-ACC First Team.

INSIGHT: I covered Sarah’s entire college career at the University of Pittsburgh, as the team’s color commentator on broadcasts. Sarah is a player that can feature as a No. 9, but is best on the wing. In the Panthers’ first eight games of the 2024 season, Schupansky already amassed 12 of her 15 assists. In 2024, she got a taste of a professional environment with Racing Louisville, featuring with the USL W-League side. It doesn’t hurt to play collegiately in arguably the best conference in the NCAA. Gotham is getting a player that can win, provide assists, score and brings versatility to the attack. — Rachael Kriger

Angel City trade Rocky Rodriguez to Kansas City Current

(Dec. 20, 2024) Angel City FC traded midfielder Rocky Rodriguez to the Kansas City Current. In exchange, Angel City received $100,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Rodriguez joined Angel City in Jan. 2020 and made 20 appearances for the Los Angeles team. Before that, Rodriguez spent four years with the Portland Thorns. Rodríguez has also been a member of the Costa Rica women’s national team since 2012, and has scored 46 goals in 101 caps with the Ticas.

Kansas City Current sign Laurel Ivory

(Dec. 19, 2024) The Current and free agent goalkeeper Laurel Ivory have agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for the 2026 season. Ivory joined Seattle Reign out of the University of Virginia in 2022.  Making her regular season debut in 2024, Ivory made nine appearances and started eight matches for Seattle after regular starter Claudia Dickey was sidelined with injury.

INSIGHT: This move to Kansas City gives Ivory a strong chance to challenge for a starting spot on a team with no determined starter as she is the only goalkeeper they have signed for 2025 so far. She will also be reunited with goalkeeper coach Ljupčo ‘Raki’ Kmetovski who sheperded her development the first two years in Seattle. — Bella Munson

Mandy Freeman signs new contract with Gotham FC

(Dec. 19, 2024) Defender Mandy Freeman agreed to a new two-year contract keeping her with Gotham FC through the 2026 season. Freeman is the club’s longest-tenured player, selected No. 10 overall in the 2017 NWSL Draft, and she will play her ninth year with the club this upcoming 2025 season. The veteran featured in 16 games during the 2024 regular season, seven of which were starts, and contributed one goal and two assists.

INSIGHT: Our Evan Davis considered Freeman to be a top 10 available free agent this offseason so this is a good re-signing for Gotham. She may not start, depending on the health of the rest of Gotham’s defense, but the 30-year-old can play multiple positions along the backline and will at least provide valuable depth and familiarity with Gotham’s system. — Bella Munson

Gotham FC acquire Jaelin Howell, transfer fee

(Dec. 19, 2024) Midfielder Jaelin Howell has been traded to Gotham FC in exchange for Lynn Williams and Cassie Miller, multiple sources confirm. The former Mac Hermann Trophy winner who was picked No. 2 overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft was traded to Seattle from Racing Louisville in August and made eight appearances for the Reign. In the trade, Gotham also receive $70k in allocation money and a 2025 international spot.

INSIGHT: Howell came out of Florida State University as a highly touted pro prospect with a couple of U.S. women’s national team caps to her name but has yet to consistently perform to her level of promise as a professional. The midfielder didn’t have much time in Seattle to find her footing but perhaps Gotham will finally unlock her potential. At just 25 years old, Howell still has many years left to play and develop while Gotham gave up two older players in her place. This trade also fills a need for Gotham as Delanie Sheehan departed in free agency, leaving question marks in the midfield. If Howell performs to her potential this trade is a big win for Gotham. — Bella Munson

Seattle Reign acquire Lynn Williams and Cassie Miller

(Dec. 19, 2024) United States international and all-time NWSL leading scorer Lynn Williams and goalkeeper Cassie Miller are joining Seattle Reign via trade with Gotham FC, multiple sources confirm. In exchange, Seattle is sending Jaelin Howell and a transfer fee to Gotham. Williams is a four-time NWSL Champion, including with Gotham FC in 2023 when she helped defeat her new club in the NWSL Championship game. Miller began the 2024 season as Gotham’s starter in net until German keeper Ann Katrin Berger joined the club and overtook the position.

INSIGHT: Seattle has been in desperate need of consistent scorers for multiple seasons now so who better to add to the roster than a player with 80 goals in all NWSL competitions through her career, the most all-time. The Reign will also benefit from there being no major international tournament for U.S. internationals this year putting extra playing minutes on a 31-year-old player. The biggest question mark is how long will Williams stay in Seattle? The forward is only signed through 2025 right now and if she only plays one season the Reign gave up a young, potential franchise cornerstone for one year of scoring. Miller will likely challenge Claudia Dickey for the starting goalkeeper spot, at least creating some competition around the position. Only time will tell if this move pays off. — Bella Munson

North Carolina Courage sign Brooklyn Courtnall

(Dec. 19, 2024) Defender Brooklyn Courtnall signed a three-year contract with the Courage out of the University of Southern California. Courtnall is the first player signed by the Courage in the new post-draft era and was named a first-team All-American in 2024.

Houston Dash extend Christen Westphal and Belle Briede

(Dec. 18, 2024) The Houston Dash announced that defender Christen Westphal signed a new two-year contract, keeping her with the team through 2026, with a mutual option for 2027, after recently being acquired from San Diego via trade. Midfielder Belle Briede signed a contract extension through 2025. Briede was acquired via trade with San Diego Wave ahead of the 2024 season when she appeared in 17 regular season games for Houston.

Alexis Loera traded to Utah Royals

(Dec. 17, 2024) Bay FC midfielder Alexis Loera has been traded to the Utah Royals, multiple sources confirm. The club announced on Wednesday that Bay FC will receive $25,000 in intra-league transfer funds plus a 15% sell-on fee if Utah trades or transfers Loera who signed a new three-year contract with the Royals. Loera, 25, missed most of 2024 with an ACL tear.

INSIGHT: If Loera can stay healthy for a full season, she stands to be one of the most defensively potent weapons in the NWSL. She is a versatile player who spent her 2022 rookie year as one of the starting centerbacks for the Kansas City Current, before moving to defensive midfield the following season. Advanced defensive metrics love Loera, a player who can produce real defensive value both on and off the ball. Loera has also been one of the best passers from deep-lying positions over the last three seasons, making her a true two-way threat. Utah is lucky to have her. — Evan Davis

Angel City sign Julie Dufour

(Dec. 17, 2024) Angel City FC has signed French forward Julie Dufour to a three-year contract, through the 2027 NWSL season. Dufour comes from Paris FC where she scored 19 goals in 41 matches, across all competitions. Previously, she featured for Lille and Bordeaux in her native France. The 21-year-old has made eight appearances for the senior French national team.

Washington Spirit sign Narumi Miura

(Dec. 17, 2024) The Washington Spirit have signed free agent Narumi Miura on a two-year deal through the 2026 NWSL season, with an option for 2027. The Japanese international featured for the North Carolina Courage for the last two seasons, making 47 regular-season appearances.

INSIGHT: The Spirit needed cover in central midfield, thanks to Andi Sullivan’s ACL tear. Narumi was the best central midfielder on the free agent market once Delanie Sheehan came off the board. She turns 28 next year, and so will give Washington her prime seasons. A defensive specialist, Narumi was an elite ball winner in her first go-round with the Courage in 2023. She took a defensive step back last season, but then again, so did everyone in the squad not named Kaleigh Kurtz. Narumi has time to bounce back, but given her and Hal Hershfelt’s weak passing games (a great irony, given Narumi’s place in the engine room of the possession-addicted Courage), the Spirit will have to find deep-lying ball progression elsewhere. — Evan Davis

Angel City re-signs defender M.A. Vignola

(Dec. 16, 2024) Angel City FC has re-signed fullback M.A. Vignola through the 2026 season. Vignola has played 43 total matches for the team and was the third player in team history ahead of its 2022 NWSL launch.

INSIGHT: Vignola is a top quality fullback whose 2023 performances earned her a look with the U.S. national team. She defends well and, at her best, gets forward and joins the attack as well as any fullback in the league (thanks to the forward roots). She’s had various injury struggles that have limited her time in the NWSL outside of that strong season. Angel City will be banking on Vignola being in top form to help improve the defense and the team at large. — Jeff Kassouf

San Diego Wave sign defender Quincy McMahon

(Dec. 13, 2024) San Diego Wave FC has signed UCLA and U.S. youth international defender Quincy McMahon through the 2027 season on a three-year deal that begins January 1, 2025. McMahon is 21 years old and was a four-year starter at UCLA. She was the 2024 Big Ten Tournament MVP.

INSIGHT: This signing is a good reminder that there is no longer an NWSL Draft, and college players are free to sign directly with teams. There hasn’t been a wave of college signings yet, but they are surely coming. San Diego has been active on this front, however. The announcement of McMahon comes following Wave’s announcement last month that the team signed University of Texas forward Trinity Byars. Even amid turmoil and without an announced coach, the Wave have been active in this department. — Jeff Kassouf

Portland Thorns acquire Brazilian defender Daiane from Flamengo

(Dec. 13, 2024) The Portland Thorns have signed Brazilian centerback Daiane through the 2026 season via transfer from Flamengo for an undisclosed transfer fee. Daiane is 27 years old and has 12 caps for Brazil. She has played professionally in Brazil, France, Norway and Spain.

INSIGHT: The Thorns have now signed two centerbacks — Daiane and Sam Hiatt — while their most recent starting centerback duo of Becky Sauerbrunn and Kelli Hubly remain free agents. The futures of Sauerbrunn and Hubly are worth watching. — Jeff Kassouf

Washington Spirit re-sign goalkeeper Kaylie Collins

(Dec. 13, 2024) The Washington Spirit has re-signed goalkeeper Kaylie Collins to a new one-year contract for the 2025 season. Collins originally signed as a national team replacement player in July. She is yet to appear for the Spirit.

Utah Royals sign forward KK Ream

(Dec. 11, 2024) The Utah Royals have signed 15-year-old forward and Utah native KK Ream, the youngest signing in team history. Ream has experience in the Royals’ Arizona academy and is a U.S. youth international.

Orlando Pride sign goalkeeper Kat Asman

(Dec. 11, 2024) The Orlando Pride and goalkeeper Kat Asman have agreed to a two-year contract through the 2026 season. Asman spent the 2024 season with the Portland Thorns after playing collegiately at Penn State.

Portland Thorns waive forward Izzy D’Aquila

(Dec. 10, 2024) The Thorns announced as part of their end-of-year roster updates that they have waived forward Izzy D’Aquila, “allowing her to pursue other opportunities.” Among the Thorns’ free agents are defenders Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Gabby Provenzano and Becky Sauerbrunn. The club did not formally say anything about the status of negotiations with those players.

Washington Spirit announce roster updates

(Dec. 10, 2024) Seven Spirit players are free agents who are free to negotiate with any club, including Washington. Notably, defender Anna Heilferty, forward Civana Kuhlmann and forward Lena Silano enter free agency after declined 2025 options.

Houston Dash announce roster updates

(Dec. 10, 2024) In addition to previously announced deals, the Dash announced that they have declined options on Paulina Gramaglia, Andressa Alves, and Croix Soto.

San Diego Wave announce roster updates

(Dec. 10, 2024) The Wave have exercised the mutual contract option on Hanna Lundkvist for the 2025 season. Several other players are free agents who the club says they are still in active discussions with.

Seattle Reign announce roster updates

NJ/NY Gotham FC announce roster updates

Chicago Red Stars announce roster updates

Orlando Pride announce roster updates

NC Courage announce roster updates

Maya Doms, Catherine Paulson not re-signing with Bay FC

(Dec. 10, 2024) Midfielders Maya Doms and Catherine Paulson did not re-sign with Bay FC, the team announced in their end-of-season roster update. Both players were free agents this winter, and will be exploring the open market.

Sophie Hirst, Mallie McKenzie sign extensions with Thorns

(Dec. 10, 2024) The Portland Thorns have signed midfielder Sophie Hirst to a two-year contract extension. 2024 rookie Mallie McKenzie inked a one-year deal extending her through 2025.

Zoe Burns, Carly Nelson not re-signing with Utah Royals

(Dec. 10, 2024) The Utah Royals announced that several players did not re-sign in their end-of-season roster release . Defenders Zoe Burns, Julia Grosso and Darielle O’Brien, along with goalkeeper Carly Nelson and forwards Cameron Tucker and and Shaelan Murison, will be exploring the open market this winter. Negotations are ongoing over the club option for forward Hannah Betfort.

Racing Louisville announce roster updates

Chapman, Harris, West sign new contracts with Houston Dash

KC Current announce roster updates

Haračić, Spencer among those not re-signing with Angel City

(Dec. 10, 2024) Goalkeeper Didi Haračić, defender Jasmyne Spencer, midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard, and forward Katie Johnson did not re-sign with Angel City, as announced by the club in their end-of-year roster release. Defender Vanessa Gilles will return to Los Angeles upon the conclusion of her loan with Olympique Lyonnais in June 2025. Negotiations are ongoing between the club and forward Christen Press about a new contract.

Houston Dash trade for defender Christen Westphal

(Dec. 10, 2024) Defender Christen Westphal has been traded to the Houston Dash. In exchange, the San Diego Wave get an international roster spot in 2025, $14,000 in allocation money plus “performance-based incentives.”

INSIGHT: Westphal is an NWSL veteran who started 50 games over three seasons in San Diego. Her arrival in Houston continues an overhaul for the Dash, who only just named Angela Hucles Mangano as president of women’s soccer (filling general manager type of tasks) on Monday. Interim GM Erik Ustruck is even the one quoted in the Dash press release. This deal was done before Monday’s trade deadline. Was it done with a coach in mind or working in the background? That is one of the big remaining questions in Houston. — Jeff Kassouf

NC Courage waives defenders Dorsey, Mertz

(Dec. 9, 2024) The North Carolina Courage have waived defenders Julia Dorsey and Landy Mertz, who were each selected in the 2024 draft. Dorsey was loaned out to Dallas Trinity FC of the USL Super League in August.

Bay FC re-signs Allen, Conti, Shepard

(Dec. 9, 2024) Bay FC has signed goalkeeper Emmie Allen, midfielder Caroline Conti, and midfielder Jamie Shepard to new contracts, keeping each player with the club for 2025 with an option for 2026.

Chicago Red Stars sign goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz

(Dec. 9, 2024) The Red Stars have brought in a goalkeeper to back up Alyssa Naeher. Coming from the Swedish league, Halle Mackiewicz has signed a one-year contract for the 2025 NWSL season. She featured most recently for Trelleborgs FF, where she started 10 matches. She is a Clemson University alum.

Portland Thorns sign defender Sam Hiatt

(Dec. 6, 2024) The Thorns have signed free agent Sam Hiatt through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. Hiatt made 17 appearances for NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 after arriving via trade with Seattle Reign FC.

INSIGHT: Hiatt gives the Thorns some desperately needed depth at centerback. Portland already struggled defensively this year, and the future of free agents Becky Sauebrunn and Kelli Hubly — the starting duo in recent years — is up in the air with both in free agency. Also, this is departure No. 3 of the week for Gotham. Coincidence or a trend? Something to watch. — Jeff Kassouf

Houston Dash re-sign Kiki Van Zanten, terminate Elin Rubensson

(Dec. 6, 2024) The Houston Dash announced the re-signing of midfielder Kiki Van Zanten to a deal through 2026, with a mutual option for 2027. The Jamaican international made four appearances for Houston before sustaining a foot injury in April. The Dash also mutually agreed to terminate the contract of Swedish midfielder Elin Rubensson, who played in 15 games in 2024.

KC Current re-sign forward Nichelle Prince

(Dec. 5, 2024) The Kansas City Current have signed forward Nichelle Prince to a new contract through 2026, with a mutual option for 2027. Prince arrived in January via trade with the Houston Dash. She was a free agent this offseason.

Houston Dash re-sign forward Avery Patterson

(Dec. 5, 2024) Rookie forward Avery Patterson has re-signed with the Houston Dash on a three-year contract, through the 2027 NWSL season. Patterson featured in 23 matches, recording one goal and two assists.

Chicago Red Stars sign midfielder Maitane López

(Dec. 5, 2024) Spanish midfielder Maitane López has signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Red Stars. López joined Gotham FC in 2023 after a two-year stint with Atletico Madrid in her native Spain. She also spent time in her career with Collerense, Levante and Real Sociedad. With the Spanish women’s national team, López has two senior caps.

Seattle Reign sign defender Madison Curry

(Dec. 4, 2024) Madison Curry signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Reign, through the 2027 NWSL season. Curry was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, and featured in 22 matches and recorded one assist. She logged over 1,500 league minutes. Curry was a free-agent signing for the Reign.

Angel City re-signs goalkeeper Hannah Stambaugh

(Dec. 4, 2024) Hannah Stambaugh has re-signed with Angel City FC for the 2025 NWSL season. A native of Tokyo, Japan, Stambaugh featured for Omiya Ardija Ventus for three seasons until joining Angel City. While she didn’t make an official league appearance last year, Stambaugh did start in goal in a friendly against Liga MX Femenil side FC Juarez in August.

Houston Dash sign midfielder Delanie Sheehan

(Dec. 4, 2024) Delanie Sheehan has signed a two-year contract with the Houston Dash with a mutual option for the 2027 NWSL season. She was a free agent who had been with NJ/NY Gotham FC since being drafted there in 2021. Sheehan was an important member of Gotham’s 2023 championship team and she started in 24 games in 2024, logging over 2,000 minutes.

INSIGHT: Sheehan is a bigger loss than you might think for Gotham. The obvious question to ask is: Why leave a championship contender for the last-place team in the NWSL, a place with no general manager or head coach and a team that has been an unmitigated disaster this year? The answer is surely more detailed than this, but sources tell EQZ that Sheehan got a major pay raise — exponentially more than her prior Gotham deal that significantly underpaid her. — Jeff Kassouf