Italy — who were semifinalists at the 2025 Women’s EURO tournament — last featured against the U.S. in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup playoffs. The U.S. went on to place second, behind Japan, in the 2011 World Cup.

The two sides will face off in Orlando, Florida, on November 28, at Inter & Co. Stadium, the home of the Orlando Pride and Orlando City SC. Then, Italy and the U.S. will face off again on December 1, at Chase Stadium, home of Inter Miami CF of Major League Soccer.

“As we prepare for World Cup qualifying at the end of 2026, we want to play teams from all parts of the world with different styles and different strengths, so getting to play Italy, one of Europe’s up-and-coming teams, will be a great way to end the year,” U.S.coach Emma Hayes said. “This has been a very productive year for our team, learning about each other while embracing our philosophies and standards, so we’re looking forward to two more games against a quality team to continue to grow.”

The U.S. is currently ranked No. 2 — only behind Spain — in the FIFA women’s national teams ranking. Meanwhile, Italy moved up to No. 12 on the recent listing. In 2025, the U.S. has won eight matches and lost two. In February, the U.S. competed in the SheBelieves Cup and placed second, while Japan won its first title.

The U.S. recorded its two losses against Japan (in the SheBelieves Cup) and Brazil in an April friendly. Both matches finished 2-1.

The matches will air on TNT and HBO Max in English, along with Spanish broadcast available on Universo and Peacock. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, September 16.

The distance between Seattle, Washington, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a whopping 2,533 miles. However, Sarah Schupansky’s mom made sure she found her way from the Steel City to the Emerald City for her daughter’s professional debut.

For the rookie attacker, her mom’s presence was a major source of comfort as she found herself in the starting lineup for Gotham FC in her first professional game in the National Women’s Soccer League.

“Having someone in the stands that I knew was going to think of me just the same regardless of how I performed that night was comforting,” Schupansky told The Equalizer.

Schupansky, who is 22, said that her first professional game at Lumen Field was a night she’ll never forget. She played 89 minutes and earned a 7.3 rating on FotMob for her performance — tied with Gabi Portilho for the best-ranked player from that match for Gotham.

“I remember the field in Seattle, and how it’s a football field, so it all felt very professional,” Schupansky said. “I felt like I was on the Netflix ‘Quarterback’ series with the bright lights and seeing the fans, even though they weren’t our fans, filling the stands and supporting women’s sports. Getting to experience that firsthand was unmatched and unbelievable. I’ll never forget that.”

In addition to Montoya’s departure, Bay FC announced that Kay Cossington will be “leading the sporting efforts of the club going forward, including the selection of the club’s next head coach. The club announced that she is already working with Sporting Director Matt Potter “and other training staff at the club, providing advice and direction on the next phase of the Bay FC system.”

This season, Bay FC has compiled a 4-5-10 record and currently sits in 12th place on the league table.

“I have so much love for these players, staff and fans,” Montoya said, via a team press release. “We’ve built a culture and a style of play that I believe will compete for championships for years to come. I want to thank everyone at the Bay FC organization for their support. I look forward to finishing this season strong and for this club continuing to accomplish great things.”

After leading Bay FC to a playoff berth in its inaugural season, Montoya was hit with accusations of creating a toxic environment. The San Francisco Chronicle … Albertin was cleared, via an independent investigation, of any misconduct regarding the NWSL’s antiharassment, discrimination and bullying policy.

Montoya formerly served as an interim coach for the Washington Spirit in 2022, as well as the head coach of the U.S. women’s national U-17 team from 2011-12.

Meanwhile, Cossington — who was named the first-ever Women’s Technical Director at the English Football Association (FA) — said she believes Bay FC belongs on the biggest stage. She is currently the CEO of Bay Collective, a group dedicated to the growth of women’s soccer.

“Thanks to Albertin and the sporting staff’s efforts, Bay FC has established a strong foundation on the pitch and I’m excited to help elevate the club further and put Bay FC in the best position to compete at the highest level for years to come,” she said, via a press release.

Bay FC will face the Orlando Pride, on the road, on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The Courage media relations staff opened the press conference Thursday morning by stating that the focus was on Friday night’s match against the Houston Dash. However, Dr. Bowley was met with a myriad of questions about the coaching change.

“Multiple factors go into such a decision,” Dr. Bowley said. “We’re looking to finish the season strong. We’re on the cusp of the playoffs. So, our primary focus is to finish the season strong, and, hopefully at the end of it, achieve our goals.

“In situations like this, there’s always a multitude of factors that are considered,” Dr. Bowley, continued. “And a multitude of factors were considered in this situation. The standards of this club are extremely high. It was felt that there were reasons to make a change to uphold the standards we expect of the North Carolina Courage.”

When asked if the decision to fire Nahas was solely performance-based, or there was additional information that could be given, Dr. Bowley — who has been in his position for three months — repeated that the decision was made for a “multitude of reasons.”

When asked if the players were notified before the statement was released on social media, Dr. Bowley and Courage Director of Communications Jake Levy repeated that “internal process” would not be discussed. At the time of publishing, the Courage’s statement is not on the club’s official website.

Nahas was 36-34-19 in the regular season for the Courage. He went 0-3-0 in the playoffs. The 47-year-old coach led North Carolina to back-to-back NWSL Challenge Cup wins in 2022 and 2023.

Nahas was officially named the Courage’s head coach on Decmeber 1, 2021. He had finished the 2021 season as interim coach after the firing of Paul Riley.

According to the Courage, Nathan Thackery, goalkeeper and assistant coach, will serve as acting head coach. The team has not made any inquiries about a new head coach, stating the focus is on Friday’s tilt with the Houston Dash.

“Right now, my only thought is on tomorrow’s game,” Dr. Bowley stated. “Then, we’ll give some proper thought into what the next steps look like. Nathan will lead the team of staff and players. They will do everything they can to deliver the right performance tomorrow night.”

According to Jeff Kassouf and ESPN, sources have confirmed that Ally Watt will be the first-ever player signed in Summit history. The Colorado Spring native has been traded from the Orlando Pride. In addition, the Summit have loaned Watt back to the Pride for the remainder of the 2025 NWSL season, since the Summit will not kick off until 2026.

According to ESPN, Orlando will receive $75,000 in expansion allocation money and $37,500 in transfer funds. The expansion allocation money can be spent through the end of the 2027 season. Salary cap relief was part of the trade agreement.

The 28-year-old has been with Orlando since 2022, where she has started 26 of her 60 appearances. She has scored six goals and provided three assists. Watt was on the 2024 NWSL Championship-winning team.

“One thing that makes us really unique is this talent pool of Colorado players, past players, it’s special,” Curt Johnson, Denver general manager, told ESPN and Kassouf in May. “If you start going down the list, Colorado has been fertile ground for this sport for a long time, and we’re going to dig into that, and we’re going to hire people that have made their names as a result of their upbringing in soccer in Colorado. For sure, that’s going to be a part of our DNA.”

Watt previously featured for the North Carolina Courage (2020) and OL Reign (2021-22).

According to CBS Sports, the application was filed on April 1, 2025. In the letter, obtained by CBS, Berman compared the NWSL Division II league to the minor league baseball system.

Berman wrote that it is “imperative that NWSL creates a robust pipeline for world-class athletes to fuel the [existing Division I league’s] explosive growth.”

An NWSL spokesperson replied to The Equalizer’s request to comment, confirming the application.

“The National Women’s Soccer League has formally submitted an application and supporting documentation for a new Division II league to the United States Soccer Federation,” the spokesperson said. “As a global leader in the women’s soccer landscape both on and off the pitch, the NWSL and its member clubs are committed to growing our sport in meaningful ways. The demand for professional soccer has never been higher.

“We look forward to working to build a strong foundation for future generations of players, officials and coaches and ensure the continued advancement of the women’s game.”

According to the application, eight NWSL teams currently have teams lined up for a 2026 start: Bay FC, Kansas City Current, North Carolina Courage, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, Racing Louisville, Seattle Reign and Washington Spirit.

In the application, it’s noted that the Division II sides will play in the same stadiums as the senior teams. The breakdown of the season includes a “traditional, double round-robin league where they play each team twice — once at home, once away.” At the conclusion of the 14-game regular season, the league will host a playoff format with the top four teams qualifying.

According to CBS Sports, all current NWSL teams will have a Division II team by the fourth year, which would correlate to 2029. However, teams that are unaffiliated with the NWSL “will also be welcome to join the Division II league at some point.”

“I’m incredibly honored to join the North Carolina Courage,” Holiday said, via a press release. “This club represents the future of women’s soccer — not just in how we play the game, but in how we empower athletes, connect with communities, and build a sustainable future for the sport. I believe deeply in the mission and vision of the Courage, and I’m excited to contribute in meaningful ways — especially when it comes to player development and overall culture.”

Per the Courage, Holiday will also serve “as an advisor and ambassador with the club, impacting on-field, business, community and player initiative decisions.”

Holiday — whose maiden name is Cheney — featured with FC Kansas City throughout her NWSL career, winning the league title in 2014 and 2015. She is a two-time gold medalist in the Summer Olympics and a one-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. She also holds a silver medal from the 2011 World Cup.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Holiday to the North Carolina Courage family,” Courage majority owner and chairperson Steve Malik said. “Lauren’s championship pedigree, leadership experience, and genuine passion for the growth of women’s soccer make her an invaluable addition to our ownership group. Her involvement will elevate our club both on and off the pitch, and her insight into player experience and development will help us create the best possible environment for our athletes, staff, and supporters. This is a pivotal moment for the Courage, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner as we look toward the future.”

Her husband, Jrue, is a professional basketball player, featuring currently for the Boston Celtics. He had stints in Philadelphia, New Orleans and Milwaukee.

Lauren Holiday is also the name-holder of the NWSL’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award, which goes to one league player for their efforts in community service. The inaugural 2024 award was given to now-former Bay FC defender Jen Beattie.

Sam Laity has been managing the team as interim coach, with Angel City posting a 2-2-0 record. This is the first time that Angel City has gone unbeaten in its first four matches.

Mark Parsons, Angel City sporting director, said that Straus fits the “profile” of what the club was looking for in its next head coach.

“When we set out to hire our head coach, we looked for specific characteristics such as a dominant style of play, a proven winner at the highest level, a focus on player development, a collaborative mindset, and a leader in high performance,” Parsons said, via a press release. “Alex fits this profile at every measure. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to unite teams under a shared purpose, inspire players to grow and perform at their peak, and deliver results consistently. I’m truly confident Alex’s experience, commitment to team culture, and tactical intelligence will strengthen our foundation as we aim to bring championships to Los Angeles.”

Julie Uhrman, co-founder and CEO of Angel City, added: “Our search for a head coach was comprehensive and intentional, ensuring we considered a diverse pool of exceptional candidates. Alex stood out for his winning track record, commitment to player development, and alignment with our club’s values. We are thrilled to welcome him to Angel City and are confident in his ability to lead our team into a championship-winning era.”

The news was first reported by Ben Jacobs, correspondant for Give Me Sport, early Thursday morning.

Currently the manager of FC Bayern Munich Women, Straus is a Norwegian-born manager with loads of experience. He began his coaching career in his native country, with Varegg in 2010. He has since coached Sandviken (Norway), Brann (Norway) and Bayern Munich (Germany). Straus also coached the Norway U-19 and U-23 teams, respectively.

Straus joined the Frauen-Budnesliga side Bayern Munich in 2022. Since his arrival, Bayern have claimed back-to-back league titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Bayern have a healthy lead, with four games left in the current season, on the top spot, which would be three-straight league titles.

In addition to the league title, Bayern Munich won the Frauen DFB-Supercup — a one-game competition that features the Frauen-Bundesliga champion and the DFB-Pokal Frauen champion — in 2024, taking down VFL Wolfsburg.

Straus also coached Bayern Munich, for the last three seasons, in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. In this year’s competition, Bayern fell to Olympique Lyonnais in the quarterfinals.

It would be the third time the U.S. hosted the women’s World Cup, also earning the nod in 1999 and 2003.

“As part of the bidding process we received one bid for ‘31 and one valid bid for ‘35. The ‘31 bid is from the United States of America, and potentially some other Concacaf members together,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said during his address at the 2025 UEFA Congress.

After Infantino’s announcement, U.S. Soccer put out a statement, reading: “We are excited about the opportunity to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and, in collaboration with our Concacaf partners, are committed to delivering a tournament that leaves a lasting legacy — one that elevates women’s soccer across the world and inspires future generations of players and fans. As FIFA finalizes the number of participating teams in the tournament, we will solidify our partnership structure with fellow Concacaf nations. We look forward to sharing more details and unveiling our full vision for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the near future.”

The U.S. is set to host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, along with Canada and Mexico. In total, between the men’s and women’s tournaments, the U.S. has hosted five World Cups.

The “Concacaf partners” have not been officially named.

Rubiales was found guilty in Spain’s High Court, and was fined  €10,000 (around $10,400 USD). He also faced a charge of coercion, for which he was found not guilty. In addition, the High Court set a restraining order, banning Rubiales from going within a 200-meter radius (656-foot) of Hermoso. He is also banned from communicating with her for one year.

Rubiales was facing possible prison time for the incident. He told Reuters that he planned to “keep fighting” and appeal the decision.

The charges came after Rubiales non-consensually kissed Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, on August 20, 2023, when Spain beat England for La Roja’s first Women’s World Cup title.

Rubiales’ defense team stated that the kiss was consensual, which Hermoso rebuked.

Hermoso released a statement on August 25, 2023, which read in part: “I want to make it clear that at no time …. was his kiss ever consensual. I want to reiterate as I did before that I did not like this incident.”

Hermoso pressed sexual assault charges against Rubiales on September 6, 2023. On September 10, Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation and vice president of UEFA.

A month later, he was banned from any football-related work by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for a period of three years. The Spanish federation followed suit, banning him for three years in November 2023.

In December 2023, FIFA issued a report alleging that Rubiales inappropriately touched two England national team players.

Rubiales faced a separate corruption probe around his decision to host the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia.