The new #NWSL season is near, so new Ambition Rankings are here.
Boston and Denver join the mix to make 16 teams, which can really be divided into two or three tiers at this stage. How is each team trending up or down? Great ambition does not always lead to strong implementation.
The long winter has given way to thawing, and the 2026 #NWSL season starts this week with 16 teams for the first time. That's twice as many teams as the league had upon launch in 2013, a time that was truly a different world.
The SheBelieves Cup is over. Only six FIFA windows (+maybe January) remain until Emma Hayes needs to name the #USWNT's 2027 World Cup roster. Several comebacks loom.
What will Hayes' starting XI look like? The answer likely varies slightly based on opponent + needs that day. Lineup predictions 👇
The SheBelieves Cup is over. Only six FIFA windows (+maybe January) remain until Emma Hayes needs to name the #USWNT's 2027 World Cup roster. Several comebacks loom.
What will Hayes' starting XI look like? The answer likely varies slightly based on opponent + needs that day. Lineup predictions 👇
Last night's brief from SI Stadium: Alyssa Thompson's "banger" goal, Girma says halftime removal just a precaution, Rudd stepped up big and contained Caicedo, later subs changed tempo, #USWNT wins SheBelieves.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
FULL TIME: #USWNT 1, Colombia 0
Alyssa Thomson's late stunner wins the game and the SheBelieves Cup for the U.S. Incredible strike.
Choppy game for most of the first 60 before a quadruple change from Hayes really put the U.S. on the front foot and created more combination play. Then the goal.
CLASS finish from Alyssa Thompson. Perfect placement. #USWNT
The Starters in the Garden State 😤
USWNT x The HomeDepot
There's A LOT planned for the #NWSL on ESPN, as is laid out in this link.👇
I'll beat the drum again: Futbol W is on ESPN+ every Tuesday (8:30p ET), a WEEKLY, IN-STUDIO commitment to in-depth league coverage on top of games. Plus daily digital coverage with a national scope. ✍️
close up photo of sophia looking towards the camera over her left shoulder with a ball placed on her shoulder. A huge title says ACTIVATED and in smaller text "removed from maternity leave"
the defense's worst nightmare is back 😈 👑
USWNT star forward Sophia Wilson is available for selection against C.F. Monterrey tomorrow and has been removed from the maternity leave list ahead of the 2026 season.
Logo talk + retro praise + Whalers GOATed is up my alley
The #USWNT's 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday was imperfect yet relatively comfortable. More than anything, it was a sign of depth and maturation in real time for a team moving on from experimentation and toward refinement for the World Cup.
The #USWNT's 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday was imperfect yet relatively comfortable. More than anything, it was a sign of depth and maturation in real time for a team moving on from experimentation and toward refinement for the World Cup.
FULL TIME: #USWNT 1, Canada 0
Ally Sentnor's second-half goal holds up as the winner on the second matchday of the SheBelieves Cup.
Ally Sentnor puts the #USWNT up 1-0. It's a carbon copy of the corner kick from the first half, but this one went in: Lavelle outswinging to Sentnor at the PK spot. Canada must be frustrated to let that happen twice - and get scored on the one that actually skipped through several players.
Ups and downs in the first half there. Canada nearly pounced on a couple of early giveaways from the #USWNT. The final pass and decision wasn't there for the U.S. for long stretches -- but if they are looking for positives, there were still a couple of high xG opportunities. 0-0 at the half.
Rodman starts, and it's a big opportunity for several players in a strong #USWNT lineup v Canada.
The Portland Thorns have confirmed the hiring of Robert Vilahamn as head coach, pending receipt of his visa. The Thorns open the #NWSL season on March 13 in D.C.
The neverending winter continues (new chapter: ice). Bring on spring, please!
Futbol W is live at 8:30 pm ET -- soon! -- on ESPN+ with Cristina Alexander and Ali Krieger. #USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps joins from camp. Tune in!
Mexico international forward Kiana Palacios to Utah Royals FC is official, a week-plus after Club América announced her departure. It's a transfer, and a significant one for the #NWSL club: $800K fee, a source tells ESPN.
#USWNT coach Emma Hayes said she had a conversation with forward Emma Sears this week and told Sears:
“'If the World Cup was tomorrow, you’d be one of the first players coming from the bench in my opinion.' … She’s a fighter and she’s not going away.”
#USWNT injury updates from Emma Hayes to start today's press conference:
"Trinity Rodman is fine and training today."
Defender Lilly Reale has a foot injury and has left training camp to return to Gotham FC.
#NWSL NEWS: Gotham FC has transferred Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho to San Diego Wave FC for $175,000 in transfer funds.
#USWNT head coach Emma Hayes referenced October's loss to Portugal several times in crediting her team's emotional control in a 2-0 win over Argentina on Sunday, saying she saw progress. It was a "scrappy" game that included a late apparent injury to Trinity Rodman (Hayes had no update postgame).
SOURCES: Ex-Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn is set to be named the new head coach of the Portland Thorns, who open their new #NWSL season in less than two weeks. The Thorns looked inside the NWSL as well and ultimately went with Vilahamn.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
BREAKING: An investor group headed by Haslam Sports Group, owners of the Columbus Crew, is exploring the possible acquisition of an #NWSL expansion franchise. #Crew96 With ESPN colleague @jeffkassouf.bsky.social ...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
SOURCES: The Haslam family, of Browns/Crew/Bucks ownership, is leading a group that is seriously exploring bringing an #NWSL expansion team to Columbus, Ohio.
Story on @espn.com w/ @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social:
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Nike and the #NWSL have unveiled new kits for each of the 16 teams. There's fun to be had over what looks good or bad, but two notes that point to progress:
- Third kits for the first time in league history
- Plenty of detail + variation for a league that once wore red, white + blue stock t-shirts
Our shebelieves cup, presented by VISA, roster is officially here‼️
ℹ️ ussoc.cr/sbc2026
