NWSL Boston – Women's Soccer Express

NWSL News of Note: Houston Dash sign midfielder Evelina Duljan, Utah Royals reveal two more invitees, Jaime Frias hired as Dash assistant coach

Here are the notables for Monday, February 10th, and Tuesday, February 11th:

The Houston Dash have signed free agent Evelina Duljan to a one-year contract. Duljan was with the Orlando Pride in 2024.
The Utah Royals have at least two more unannounced invitees, based on a preseason match line-up posted via their x.com account. One of those players looks to be defender/forward Itala Gemelli, who finished up her NCAA career last fall with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Dash have also added an assistant coach to Fabrice Gautrat’s staff: Jaime Frias, who was the head coach of the women’s soccer team for the University of Houston since 2022.
Also, the Boston 2026 franchise has placed $25 million in escrow, which is a preliminary financial requirement for the renovation of White Stadium.

NWSL News of Note, Teams Edition: Wave name Jonas Eidevall as head coach, Thorns hire Jeff Agoos as general manager, Racing reveals Caitlyn Milby as interim general manager, Belated Wave lawsuit update

The first full week of 2025 was chocked-full of NWSL news.

Leading the team-related notables are the hiring of former Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall as the head coach of the San Diego Wave and the signing of former United States Men’s National Team defender Jeff Agoos as the new General Manager and President of Soccer Operations for the Portland Thorns.

Also, Racing Louisville officially introduced its director of operations, Caitlyn Milby, as its interim general manager.

Additionally, a belated update on the lawsuit against the San Diego Wave: A sixth plaintiff was added in late October 2024 as a second ‘Jane Doe’.

NWSL News of Note, Coaches and Front Offices Edition: Ellis departs Wave for FIFA, Interim coaching vacancies at Wave and Dash, Angel City and Racing GMs depart, Boston hires GM

Leading this special edition of NWSL News of Note is the surprise departure of San Diego Wave President Jill Ellis for a new position with FIFA.

The NWSL’s other Southern California club, Angel City, also has a front office vacancy due to general manager Angel Hucles Mangano “part[ing] ways” with the club.

Racing Louisville is looking for a new general manager after Ryan Dell left to pursue another opportunity.

Additionally, both the Wave and the Houston Dash have empty head coach offices. For the Wave, Landon Donovan “has conclude[d] his tenure”, while Ricky Clarke and the Dash “agreed to part ways”.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the new Boston franchise announced that it has hired FC Barcelona’s Domènec “Domè” Guasch as its first general manager.

NWSL News of Note, Teams Edition: Courage deal falls through, Orlando training facility, Expansion update, Boston name do-over?

On Black Friday, Sportico reported that billionaire investor Marc Lasry’s planned acquisition of a 60% controlling stake in the North Carolina Courage will not be going forward.

The owners of the Orlando Pride and its Major League Soccer counterpart, Orlando City SC, are pursuing an expansion of Orlando City’s training facility and headquarters, which would apparently convert it into a fully combined facility for both clubs.

A few days before Thanksgiving, the 2026 Boston franchise launched a listening campaign that includes an online form which asks for “feedback on the team name”, “BOS Nation FC”.

Regarding the other 2026 expansion team, that is apparently down to bid from Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Denver, per a statement from NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.

NWSL: Boston’s badly botched branding unveiling

The week of October 14, 2024, did not go as planned for the new Boston NWSL franchise.