NWSL News of Note: Olympics Break Catch-Up: Balcer-Howell Swap, Katie Zelem to Angel City, Jess Carter to Gotham, and Lots More

After a seven week break for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the USWNT once again won gold, the second-half of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season gets underway on Friday, August 23rd.

During the Olympic break, most of the teams were involved in player trades, signings, and other roster moves. The most notable (and shocking) trade during the break, just happened on Monday, when the Seattle Reign and Racing Louisville swapped forward Bethany Balcer for Racing’s captain, midfielder Jaelin Howell. Meanwhile, the most surprising signing was not a player, but an interim head coach: Landon Donovan, with the San Diego Wave.

Updates:

August 20th: Racing signs Colombian defender Ángela Barón, NC Courage loan defender Talia Staude to USL Super League side Tampa Bay Sun…

For player-related moves, as well as other developments involving all fourteen NWSL teams, including Angel City FC’s sale to Willow Bay and Bob Iger, keep reading…

But, first, for your convenience, the weekend’s match schedule…

All fourteen teams will be in action this weekend. CBS, which no longer has SEC football (NOLA.com), will air a doubleheader on Saturday that will feature the Portland Thorns take on 2023 NWSL champions Gotham FC followed by a SoCal derby between San Diego Wave and Angel City. Three other matches will be shown on cable channels this weekend, including a Seattle Reign home match that will feature the retirement of Megan Rapinoe’s #15 jersey.

Friday, August 23rd

8:00 p.m. EDT: Houston Dash vs. Orlando Pride (Prime)
9:30 p.m. EDT: Utah Royals vs. Bay FC (NWSL+)

Saturday, August 24th

2:30 p.m. EDT: Gotham FC vs. Portland Thorns (CBS)
4:30 p.m. EDT: San Diego Wave FC vs. Angel City FC (CBS)
7:30 p.m. EDT: Racing Louisville vs. Chicago Red Stars (ion)

Sunday, August 25th

12:00 p.m. EDT: Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current (CBS Sports Network)
10:00 p.m. EDT: Seattle Reign vs. North Carolina Courage (ESPN2)

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Intra-NWSL Trades

Bethany Balcer (Seattle Reign) and Jaelin Howell (Racing Louisville)

The Olympic break’s biggest trade came just four days before the 2024 NWSL resumes. On Monday, August 19th, the Reign and Racing announced that that they had traded forward Bethany Balcer and midfielder Jaelin Howell.

The 24-year-old Howell, who was Racing’s team captain since the 2023 season, was transferred to the Reign, along with $50,000 in allocation money. (Racing press release, Reign press release) Balcer, age 27, was a former teammate of Racing’s head coach, Bev Yanez, when both played for Seattle back in 2019. (Wikipedia: 2019 Reign FC season)

Alexa Spaanstra to Portland Thorns from Kansas City Current

Announced on August 19th, the Current “received $40,000 ($15,000 allocation, $25,000 intra-league transfer funds) from the Portland Thorns” for the 25-year-old forward. (KC Current press release, Portland Thorns press release)

Alana Cook to Kansas City Current from Seattle Reign

On July 22nd, the Reign and Current announced that the 27-year-old center-back had been traded to the Current for $115,000 ($40,000 in allocation money and $75,000 in intra-league transfer funds). Seattle could also receive “an additional $25,000 in intra-league transfer funds if certain performance-based incentives are achieved”. (Seattle Reign press release, KC Current press release)

Carson Pickett to Orlando Pride from Racing Louisville

On August 16th, the 30-year-old outside back was traded by Racing Louisville to the Pride for $75,000 in Allocation money. (Racing press release, Orlando press release) Pickett, who spent one-and-a-half seasons with Racing, returns to the Pride, where she played for two seasons, 2018 and 2019.

Utah Royals acquire International Spot from Gotham FC

On August 14th, the Utah Royals acquired an International Spot for the rest of the 2024 season and the 2025 season from Gotham FC for $100,000 in allocation money. The Royals needed the international slot for their signing of Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse, which was announced on the same day. (Gotham press release, Royals press release)

Angel City

Angel City signs midfielder Katie Zelem on a free transfer (August 12th press release). The contract runs “through 2026”. The 28-year-old midfielder has 12 caps with England’s WNT. She was last with Manchester United of the WSL, where she had played for six seasons, with the first year in the Women’s Championship. (Zelem’s Wikipedia bio)

Ali Riley injury update: Riley, who was a late scratch from New Zealand’s Olympics roster due to a persistent nerve issue, stated the following during a fan Q&A (x.com post) : “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to play soccer again. That is the reality of the injury I have right now.”

The return of Christen Press: On August 1st, the 35-year-old forward played her first competitive minutes since in over two years, after suffering an ACL injury back in 2022. (August 1st match recap).

Sale Announced to Willow Bay and Bob Iger (Angel City press release). The deal, which still needs to be finalized as well as approved by the NWSL’s Board of Governors, marks the highest amount paid for a NWSL franchise. Here is the first paragraph from the press release:

July 16, 2024 — Today, Angel City Football Club (ACFC) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Willow Bay, Dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, which will make Bay and Iger the new controlling owners of the Club following the closing of the transaction. Bay and Iger will acquire the controlling stake in ACFC at an Enterprise Value of $250 million, making it the most valuable women’s sports team in the world. Bay will serve on and have full control of the ACFC Board of Directors, will serve as the Controlling Owner for National Women’s Soccer League, LLC (NWSL) purposes and will represent ACFC on the NWSL’s Board of Governors. Bay and Iger will invest an additional $50 million to support the Club’s future growth.

Bay FC

Scarlett Camberos traded to Club América of Liga MX Feminil (July 15th press release). The San Diego native and Mexican international returns to her first professional club after one-and-a-half seasons in the NWSL. Camberos originally left Club América “due to safety reasons following multiple stalking and online-harassment incidents against her by a male fan, and the lack of guarantees by the Mexican authorities…” (Wikipedia bio)

About two weeks before the Olympics break, General Manager Lucy Rushton stepped down. For now, Technical Director Matt Potter has assumed GM duties. (San Francisco Chronicle article)

Chicago Red Stars

Scheduling Crisis Averted: Riot Fest moved from Bridgeview, September 21st home match against San Diego Wave will go on as scheduled. (August 14th press release) Back in mid-June, it was announced that Riot Fest would be held in the parking lots next to SeatGeek Stadium. The Red Stars were not happy and was considereding legal action against the village of Bridgeview. (WGN news article) The Red Stars’s lease of SeatGeek Stadium ends in 2025, and the club is exploring other options, including its own stadium in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune article)

Chicago Red Stars sign Midfielder Julia Grosso via free agency. The contract runs through the 2026 season. (July 8 press release). The 23-year-old Canadian international spent the last three seasons with Italy’s Juventus. (Wikipedia bio)

Red Stars sign Brazilian international forward Ludmila da Silva. (July 29 press release) The 29-year-old Ludmila, who troubled the USWNT’s defense during the gold medal match at this year’s Olympics, most recently played for Spain’s Atlético Madrid. (Wikipedia bio)

Center-back Sam Staab Placed on Season-Ending Injury List: In on July 20th, Staab suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a NWSL x Liga MX Feminil Summer Cup match against Gotham FC. (July 25th press release)

Defender Maxi Rall placed on 45-Day Injury List on August 1st. (press release)

Houston Dash

In July, retired USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard joined the ownership group of the Dash. (July 16th press release)

And, as previously reported, the Dash fired general manager Alex Singer.

Kansas City Current

As noted above, the Current traded forward Alex Spaanstra to the Portland Thorns and, in an earlier trade, received center-back Alana Cook from the Seattle Reign. The Current’s front office has also been busy with other trades…

In mid-August, the Current signed 26-year-old Kenyan midfielder Mwanalima Adam Jereko through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026. (August 16th press release) (Wikipedia bio)

Claire Lavogez and the Current mutually agreed to part ways (August 12th press release) The 30-year-old Lavogez, who had been with the Current since July 2022, went on to sign with Spanish side Real Sociedad on a one year contract for the 2024-25 season. (August 12th Real Sociedad press release)

Midfielder Sophie Braun loaned to USL Super League’s Spokane Zephyr FC. (July 19th press release) The 24-year-old is no stranger to Spokane, having played women’s soccer for Gonzaga University from 2018 to 2022. Braun, who was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon, is an Argentine international with at least 29 caps. (Wikipedia bio)

German international goalkeeper Almuth Schult returns to the NWSL: After a short stint with Hamburger SV, the 33-year-old is back in the NWSL. Schult had previously signed with Angel City, where she only started one match and then returned to Germany, where she had her third child. (August 2nd press release)

Gotham FC

Gotham signs Portuguese forward Jéssica Silva on a free transfer after three seasons playing for Benfica. (August 16th press release) The 29-year-old international, who has over 100 caps with Portugal’s WNT, previously played for the Kansas City Current during the 2021 season. (Wikipedia bio)

At the end of July, Gotham signed English international Jess Carter from Chelsea FC Women for “an undisclosed transfer fee”. (July 29th press release, Chelsea press release) The 26-year-old defender has 36 caps for the Three Lionesses, including six starts at last year’s Women’s World Cup. (Wikipedia bio)

Sendoff Match for Sinead Farrelly scheduled for September 8th. (August 8th press release) The Irish senior international and former United States youth international officially retired in June.

Gotham releases Defender Kristen Edmonds (August 9th press release). Five days later, the 37-year-old Edmonds signed with USL Super League side Tampa Bay Sun FC. (August 14th press release) (Wikipedia bio)

Also, as covered earlier, in late July, Gotham signed the 14-year-old Mak Whitham under the NWSL U-18 entry mechanism.

Additionally, as mentioned above, Gotham transferred an international spot to the Utah Royals and received $100,000 in allocation money.

Orlando Pride

As mentioned above, outside back Carson Pickett returns to Orlando following one-and-a-half seasons with Racing Louisville.

Four players extended their contracts with the Pride, all through 2025, with options for the 2026 season: Forward Ally Watt, forward Summer Yates, midfielder Cori Dyke, and midfielder Viviana Villacorta. (links go to individual press releases)

Last week, Zambian international Grace Chanda was placed on the season-ending injury list. The 27-year-old midfielder suffered “a ruptured quadriceps tendon in her right leg” during the 2024 Paris Olympics. (August 14th press release)

Head coach Seb Hines has agreed to a new contract through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. (August 7th press release)

North Carolina Courage

August 20th Update: Defender Talia Staude loaned to the USL Super League’s Tampa Bay Sun FC. The loan runs through December 2024. (August 20th press release)

Defender Julia Dorsey has been loaned to Dallas Trinity FC of the USL Super League for the remainder of the 2024 season. The official reason given is so that Dorsey can help get back to full fitness and suffering an ACL injury during her spring 2023 lacrosse season at UNC. (August 9th press release) Dorsey has yet to see the field for the Courage, though she was on two gameday rosters this year. (NWSL stats)

The Courage have acquired 19-year-old Brazilian forward Aline Gomes from Ferroviária of Brazil. (July 30th press release) According to a Globo.com news article, the transfer fee was approximately $200,000 (USD), which would make it the second highest transfer fee received by a Brazilian women’s club, after Tarciane’s trade to the Dash earlier this year (which was close to $500,000, according to the same article). Aline has already been capped by Brazil’s senior WNT. (Wikipedia bio) Although age-eligible for the upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, Aline was not named to Brazil’s roster (CBF roster announcement).

Although announced back in June, the signings of two Australians, forward Cortnee Vine and defender Charlotte McLean, became official on August 1st. Both players were last with Sydney FC, and have signed for guaranteed contracts through the 2026 and 2025 seasons, respectively. The 26-year-old Vine is a regular call-up for the Matildas and was a member of their WWC squad in 2023 as well as their Olympic squad this summer. (Vine’s Wikipedia bio) Both Vine and the 24-year-old McLean had previously only played professionally in Australia. (McLean’s Wikipedia bio)

At the beginning of July, the Courage and Danish forward Mille Gejl, who had been loaned to Montpellier HSC, agreed to a contract termination. (July 3rd press release) Last week, Crystal Palace announced that they had signed the 24-year-old forward. (August 15th press release)

Back in July, Canadian international defender Sydney Collins fractured her left leg about a week before the Olympics women’s soccer tournament began. (July 20th press release) As of August 19th, the Courage have yet to publicly announce that Collins has been placed on the SEI list.

At the end of July, team captain Denise O’Sullivan signed a contract extension that lasts through the 2026 season. (July 29th press release). The 30-year-old Irish international, who has over 100 international caps, is the club’s “all-time leader in both minutes played (10,688) and appearances (128)”.

Portland Thorns

As noted above, the Thorns received forward Alex Spaanstra from the Current.

On July 10th, the Thorns announced the signing of goalkeeper MacKenzie Arnold. The 30-year-old Australian international’s contract runs through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. (July 10th press release)

A month later, the Thorns and Mexican goalkeeper Emily Alvarado agreed to part ways. (August 15th press release) As of August 19th, the 26-year-old Alvarado has not signed with a new team.

Rob Gale is no longer the Thorns’ interim head coach, as his appointment was made permanent on July 19th. (press release)

On July 25th, the Thorns added several minority investors, including retired NFL quarterback Joey Harrington and current NFL quarterback Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers. (July 25th press release)

In late July, the Thorns and defender Meaghan Nally agreed to a mutual contract termination. (July 26th press release) The stated reason was so that Nally could “pursue other opportunities abroad”. As of August 19th, she has not signed with a new team.

Update your bookmarks: Thorns.com is the new online home of the Portland Thorns. (July 2nd press release)

Racing Louisville

August 20th Update: Racing has acquired 20-year-old center-back Ángela Barón from Atlético Nacional of Colombia. (August 20th press release) Barón, who was born and raised in Texas, was a member of Colombia’s Olympic squad this summer, but did not feature in any matches. Barón has 8 international caps with Colombia. (Olympics cumulative stats for Colombia)

As mentioned above, Bethany Balcer is now a Racing player due to the surprise trade with the Reign that saw team captain Jaelin Howell depart for the Pacific Northwest.

Forward Kayla Fischer has been re-upped for another season. (August 15th press release)

Three back-up goalkeepers were in the news over the Olympic break:

Madison White has been loaned to Dallas Trinity FC for the USL Super League 2024-25 season. Dallas paid an “undisclosed fee” for the services of the 23-year-old. (July 22nd press release)
Jordyn Bloomer’s contract has been automatically extended through 2025 due to a conditional extension clause: The trigger was being named to 15 matchday squads. (August 8th press release)
As of August 14th, Olivia Sekany is off the 45-day injured list after rehabbing from “a procedure to clean damage in her left knee. (August 14th press release)

Midfielder Yuuka Kurosaki has been traded to DC Power of the USL Super League. Kurosaki, who played collegiately for Kentucky and Oklahoma, suffered an injury during preseason and had not featured in any matches for Racing. The transfer fee was not disclosed. (August 15th press release)

On July 30th, Racing moved forward Kirsten Wright to the season-ending injury list. The 25-year-old Wright suffered a knee injury during preseason and was initially placed on the 45-day injured list back in April. (July 30th press release)

San Diego Wave

The Wave are now on their third manager for the 2024, following the departure of interim head coach, Paul Buckle, apparently due to “personal commitments”. On Friday, August 16th, the Wave announced that United States Men’s National Team legend Landon Donovan has been named as the Wave’s second interim head coach since the the firing of Casey Stoney. (August 16th press release) Stoney, who had just signed a multi-year contract extension at the beginning of this year (January 23rd press release), was signed five months later (June 24th press release). Donovan, who has a USSF “A-Senior” coaching license, was head coach of the now defunct San Diego Loyal of the USL Championship for three years, but does not have any experience coaching women’s teams. (Wikipedia bio)

French international forward Delphine Cascarino was signed on July 24th. Cascarino’s contract runs through the 2026 NWSL season, with “a mutual option for 2027”. (July 24th press release) The 27-year-old was a member of France’s Olympic squad this year and has 68 international caps plus 14 international goals. (fff.fr profile)

On August 13th, defender Sierra Enge and the Wave agreed to part ways. Enge is apparently looking to “pursue other opportunities abroad”. (August 13th press release) The 24-year-old Stanford alum only played in 1 regular season match during the 2024 season, but did feature in 3 NWSL x Liga MX Feminil matches. In her rookie year, Enge scored 2 goals and appeared in 10 regular season matches. (NWSL stats profile)

Seattle Reign

As mentioned above, the Reign traded forward Bethany Balcer to Racing Louisville in exchange for midfielder Jaelin Howell. The Reign also traded center-back Alana Cook to the Current.

The Reign signed two international forwards during the Olympic break:

Swiss forward Ana-Maria Crnogorčević, from Atlético Madrid for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 33-year-old’s contract runs through the 2025 season. (August 5th press release)
Haitian forward Nérilia Mondésir, from Montpellier HSC, for an unspecified transfer fee. The 25-year-old is signed through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027. (July 29th press release)

Back in July, Seattle signed two U-18 players: Defender Jordyn Bugg, who recently turned 18 years-old, and 16-year-old midfielder Ainsley McCammon. (July 19th press release)

Also, the Reign loaned two players to USL Super League teams for the remainder of this calendar year:

Midfielder Sam Meza, who was optioned for the 2025 NWSL season, is being loaned to Dallas Trinity FC. (August 1st press release) Meza, who played collegiately for UNC, was born and raised in the Dallas area. (Wikipedia bio)
Forward McKenzie Weinert has been loaned to Spokane Zephyr FC following a contract extension for the 2025 NWSL season. Spokane paid an unspecified loan fee. (August 5th press release)

Defender Ryanne Brown was placed on the season-ending injury list due to an ACL tear suffered during a NWSL x Liga MX Feminil Summer Cup match. (July 26th press release)

On Sunday, August 25th, the Reign will officially retire the #15 jersey in honor of Megan Rapinoe. (August 7th press release)

Earlier this month, the Reign announced that Brazilian midfielder Luany, who had been on loan to Madrid CFF, has been traded to Atlético Madrid. (August 9th press release)

Utah Royals

During the Olympic break, the Royals signed a trio of experienced international players:

Japanese forward Mina Tanaka, on a free transfer, through the 2025 season. (July 5th press release). Tanaka was a member of Japan’s last two Olympic squads as well as their WWC squad in 2023. The 30-year-old was twice named the Most Valuable Player of the old Nadeshiko League. (Wikipedia bio)
Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse, from Arsenal WFC, for an undisclosed fee, through the 2027 season. (August 14th press release) Before her single season at Arsenal, the 31-year-old played four seasons for Benfica of Portugal and before that, IBV of Iceland for five seasons. Lacasse, who did not receive her first international cap until 2021, was a member of Canada’s Olympic team this summer. (Wikipedia bio)
Spanish midfielder Claudia Zoronoza, through 2025 with an option for the 2026 season. (July 12th press release) The 33-year-old most recently played for Real Madrid and was a member of Spain’s WWC champions squad in 2023. (Wikipedia bio)

In order to acquire Lacasse, the Royals traded $100,000 in allocation money for an international roster spot from Gotham FC.

Also, midfielder Emily Gray has been traded to Danish side Odense Boldlklub Q for the remainder of the 2024 NWSL season. (July 19th press release)

Washington Spirit

Colombian international forward Leicy Santos, whose signing was announced back in April (press release), recently played her first match for the Spirit, in their 1:2 loss to Arsenal WFC (August 18th match report). The 28-year-old signed “a three-year contract”, which presumably runs through the 2026 season.

Also playing for her first time in a Spirit jersey is 22-year-old Ivorian forward Rosemonde Kouassi, who was signed on July 10th. Kouassi, whose contract runs through the 2027 NWSL season, was acquired from French side Fleury 91 for an undisclosed transfer fee. (July 10th press release)

Back-up goalkeeper Lyza Bosselmann, who is rehabbing from a wrist injury, was placed on the season-ending injury list. (August 8th press release)