NWSL News of Note: Alex Morgan announces retirement, Croix Bethune on SEI list, Magic Johnson invests in Spirit, plus lots more

Sunday, September 8th will be the end of an era as Alex Morgan will play her final professional soccer match. On Thursday, September 5th, Morgan announced her retirement via a social media video. The suddenness of Morgan’s retirement was due in part to a pregnancy, which was first publicly disclosed in the social media video.

The other major NWSL news of the week is the loss of Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune for the rest of the season due to a meniscus injury that occurred during a ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals baseball game.

Here are the rest of the notables from September 3rd to the 5th:

  • Washington Spirit: Earvin “Magic” Johnson joins the club’s investor group
  • Seattle Reign: Jordyn Huitema extends until 2026, with mutual option for 2027
  • Angel City: Forward Jun Endo signs on through 2027
  • Angel City: Sale of Controlling interest to Willow Bay and Bob Iger completed
  • Houston Dash: Forward Bárbara Olivieri extends for two years
  • Houston Dash: Forward Cece Kizer released from contract
  • Orlando Pride: Amanda Allen loaned to USL Super League’s Lexington Sporting Club
  • Utah Royals: Addisyn Merrick released, signed by USL Super League’s Carolina Ascent
  • Rumor: Sofia Jakobsson “close to signing” with London City Lionesses
Continue reading “NWSL News of Note: Alex Morgan announces retirement, Croix Bethune on SEI list, Magic Johnson invests in Spirit, plus lots more”

NWSL News of Note: Hanna Glas to Reign, Sophie Hirst to Thorns, Royals sign defender Julia Grosso

The notables for September 1st and 2nd include a pair of trades and a player signing:

  • Kansas City Current trade defender Hanna Glas to Seattle Reign
  • Houston Dash trade Sophie Hirst to the Portland Thorns
  • Utah Royals sign American defender Julia Grosso

Yes, there is now a second “Julia Grosso” in this league, after the addition of Canadian international midfielder Julia Grosso in August. Utah’s new signing hails from Florida and played at the University of Kentucky for five years.

Continue reading “NWSL News of Note: Hanna Glas to Reign, Sophie Hirst to Thorns, Royals sign defender Julia Grosso”

NWSL News of Note: Sharples to KC, Anderson Extends with Chicago, Flynn on Utah’s SEI List

Here are the notable updates since Tuesday’s update:

  • Sharples to KC, Silkowitz to Bay FC
  • Utah Royals: Defender Lauren Flynn placed on SEI List
  • Chicago Red Stars: Center-back Hannah Anderson signs on for 3 more seasons
Continue reading “NWSL News of Note: Sharples to KC, Anderson Extends with Chicago, Flynn on Utah’s SEI List”

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…

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

NWSL News of Note: Sauerbrunn Traded to Portland, Commissioner Hired, Schedule Announced

NWSL news items from the past week or so:

  • Becky Sauerbrunn Traded To Portland
  • NWSL Hires Lisa Baird as New Commissioner
  • The Regular Season Schedule Announced
  • List of Allocated USWNT and CANWNT Players Released

Continue reading “NWSL News of Note: Sauerbrunn Traded to Portland, Commissioner Hired, Schedule Announced”

NWSL News of Note: Ali Riley and Erin McCleod Signed By Orlando Pride

In this update:

  • Ali Riley and Erin McLeod Return
  • 2020 Thorns Spring Invitational Schedule Announced
  • Signings, Re-Signings, and Retirements

Continue reading “NWSL News of Note: Ali Riley and Erin McCleod Signed By Orlando Pride”