Leading the mid-week notables is the news that the Seattle Reign will loan fullback Sofia Huerta to Olympique Lyonnais through June 2025. Also, Houston Dash center back Tarciane is out for an indefinite period due to a shoulder injury.
Also in this update:
- San Diego Wave: Sofia Jakobsson released
- Portland Thorns: Morgan Weaver extends through the 2028 season
- Orlando Pride: Morgan Gautrat signs one-year extension, with option for 2026
- U-20 WWC Players Update: The USA and Japan advance, Canada out
Houston Dash: Tarciane out with shoulder injury
According to Tarciane’s instagram account (screenshot on x.com), the Brazilian center back suffered a dislocated shoulder (rupture of the acromioclavicular ligament) and a dislocated collarbone (posterior dislocation of the clavicle) during her last match. No surgery is required at this time, but she will be unavailable for an unspecified period of time. The Dash have not officially commented on Tarciane’s injury status.
Seattle Reign: Sofia Huerta loaned to Lyon through June 2025
On Thursday, both clubs announced the loan deal, which has apparently been in the works for a few months. As usual, the loan fee was not disclosed.
The following excerpt is from the Reign’s press release:
“Reign FC is a club that takes pride in doing what’s right for its players. In the case of Sofia Huerta’s loan to Olympique Lyonnais, this was an opportunity that arose earlier this summer, and Sofia expressed interest in exploring it for both personal and professional reasons,” Seattle Reign FC General Manager Lesle Gallimore said. “This agreement also allows us to add resources to target impact signings in the winter transfer window, allowing our club to continue contending for trophies.”
Prior to the loan, Huerta was on track for Iron Woman status, having played every minute of all 19 league matches for the Reign this season. Earlier this year, Huerta, who turns 32 in December, agreed to a contract extension that keeps her with the Reign through the 2027 NWSL season. (Reign press release, OL press release)
San Diego Wave: Sofia Jakobsson released
On Tuesday, the club announced that they have agreed to a mutual contract termination with Swedish forward Sofia Jakobsson, who is rumored to sign with the London City Lionesses, but no signing announcement has been made by that club. (September 11th press release)
The London City Lionesses club was acquired by Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang in December 2023. Currently, the club has two Swedish players, forward Kosovare Asllani and midfielder Julia Roddar.
Portland Thorns: Morgan Weaver extends through the 2028 season
Also on Thursday, the Thorns announced that forward Morgan Weaver has signed a new contract that should keep her in Portland for an additional four seasons. (September 12th press release) Weaver was drafted #2 overall by the Thorns in the 2020 draft behind Sophia Smith, who was also picked by the Thorns.
According to Taylor Vincent (x.com post), as of Thursday, Weaver is officially off the 45-day injury list.
Orlando Pride: Morgan Gautrat signs one-year extension, with option for 2026
Gautraut, who joined the Pride in January via a trade from the Kansas City Current, would have been a free agent at the end of this season. Her new contract is for the 2025 NWSL season, with a mutual option for the 2026 season. (September 12th press release)
Prior to the Olympic break, Gautrat started 7 matches, but has only appeared as a substitute in the Pride’s three post-Olympics matches. (NWSL stats)
U-20 WWC Players Update: The USA and Japan advance, Canada out
On the first day of the Round of Sixteen, extra time was required for the USA to defeat Mexico. The Royal’s Ally Sentnor scored a goal in that match, while the Reign’s Emeri Adames provided a curling assist to Pietra Tordin for the USA’s opening goal. On Sunday, the USA will face Germany in the quarterfinals (9:00 p.m. EDT, match should be on FOX Sports 2).
Earlier on Wednesday, Spain had a 2:1 comeback victory over Canada, thus ending the run of Orlando Pride’s Amanda Allen (who is on loan to USL Super League side Lexington SC) .
North Carolina Courage midfielder Manaka Matsukubo’s Japan advances to the quarterfinal after a 2:1 victory over Nigeria. Japan will face defending champions Spain, in what will be a rematch of the last two U-20 WWC finals.
Four-Day Weekends
This Monday and next Monday, CBS Sports Network will have a prime-time NWSL match. On September 16th, the Seattle Reign hosts Gotham FC. Then, on the 23rd, Angel City faces the Portland Thorns. Both matches are scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EDT starts.
Reminder: Concacaf W Champions Cup Next Week
Additionally, next week, all three NWSL teams in the Concacaf W Champions Cup will be in action:
- On Wednesday, September 18th, the San Diego Wave will host the Portland Thorns (10:00 p.m. EDT, Golazo!)
- On Thursday, the 19th, Gotham FC will host Monterrey (7:00 p.m. EDT, CBS Sports Network).
After next week, the next group matches will be the 1st and 2nd of October.
Women's Soccer Express 