Good Day, Footies! ⚽ Wake up and smell the goals! Temwa Chawinga is closing in on Sam Kerr’s NWSL season scoring record—can you feel the excitement building? Meanwhile, Gotham FC just pulled off a spectacular show in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stages, smashing the competition with a mind-boggling 13 goals! 🎉 Hats off to Yazmeen Ryan and Lynn Williams for each scoring hat tricks.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for Sunday, when the top two teams in the NWSL, Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit, will clash in what promises to be an exciting matchup. On another note, Alex Popp is announcing her retirement from international duty, leaving a significant legacy behind. Plus, there’s buzz surrounding a new Netflix documentary, updates from the Asian Champions League, and the release of the U-17 roster.

GOAL OF THE WEEK

Jess Naz scored a SCREAMER!!

POST OF WEEK

MASSIVE!!! “Off the 250,000 tickets that were put on sale for the first drop of tickets for WEURO 2025 just under half sold out within the first day”

NWSL NEWS

🪽Angel City’s Pricey Play

Angel City FC was slapped with a record-setting $200,000 fine and docked 3 points after being caught red-handed in a salary cap scandal. With just four games left in the season, this sends the squad from Hollywood drama to soccer traumaas they slip down to 12th place, nine points shy of the playoffs. Ouch! 😬

The controversy? It turns out Angel City secretly made five side deals with players in 2023, handing out extra benefits off the books. These sneaky "side letters" tipped them $50,000 over the salary cap for four weeks in 2024. Now, club president Julie Uhrman and GM Angela Hucles Mangano are benched for the rest of the year, suspended from handling any player transactions. Looks like they won’t be making any more under-the-table plays! 🚫📋

What’s more, this isn’t just an Angel City issue. According to some anonymous GMs, cheating the salary cap is practically a league-wide open secret. One GM dished, “People cheat, and they cheat the salary cap.” Well, now the NWSL is tightening the reins with annual audits.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

🇩🇪 Popp's Final Pop!

Germany bids farewell to one of its football icons. After 18 years of igniting stadiums and hearts, Popp announced her retirement from international football, set for her final appearance against Australia on October 28th in Duisburg. With 144 caps and 67 goals, the three-time German Footballer of the Year made this "gut decision" to hang up her national team boots before the fire fully burns out. Popp's legacy is vast: Olympic gold in 2016, countless trophies with Wolfsburg, and a reputation as a fierce leader both on and off the pitch.

While she’s battled injuries in recent years, including a heartbreaking miss at the 2022 Euros final, her contributions have been nothing short of legendary. A versatile player who could command any position, she leaves the game as one of the all-time greats in women’s football. But, don’t count her out just yet! Popp continues to shine for Wolfsburg, reminding us that her fire isn’t out—just redirected. ⚽🔥

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

🚫 The Kiss That Changed Everything

It's All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football is landing on Netflix this November 1st, and it’s set to shake the football (and social) world like never before! 🏆🇪🇸 This documentary isn't just about Spain's 2023 Women’s World Cup triumph—it’s the inside story of the kiss heard 'round the world, the seismic social movement that followed, and the fierce women behind it all.

With intimate, never-before-heard interviews from icons like Jenni Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, and Irene Paredes, this film dives deep into the dramatic aftermath of their historic win. It paints a raw, emotional picture of how a single inappropriate moment turned into a battle cry for gender equality, sparking major leadership changes in Spanish football. These women didn't just score goals—they tore down social barriers and redefined what it means to be champions.

🎥 Directed by Joanna Pardos and produced by You First Originals, the documentary goes beyond the field, spotlighting the unity and friendship of a team that, in fighting for their own rights, became beacons of change for women everywhere. From locker room camaraderie to global protest, this is the story of resilience, passion, and kicking down doors—both in sport and society. 🥅✊

Key takeaway? This isn’t just a football doc, it’s a tribute to how a team of powerful women flipped the narrative, one that’s bound to inspire future generations to lace up and take a stand.

WSL NEWS

😓 Overbooked and Under-rested

The much-anticipated WSL clash between Chelsea and Manchester United on October 6th has been postponed, leaving fans scrambling and the football world feeling frustrated 😤. Why? Well, Chelsea’s Champions League schedule collided with their domestic fixture, forcing the WSL to hit the pause button in the name of player welfare 💆‍♀️. With Chelsea set to face Real Madrid just two days later, the WSL wisely decided that back-to-back matches would be too much, putting athletes' health first.

While Chelsea and United fans were geared up for this showdown, UEFA’s scheduling left everyone a bit ruffled. Despite Chelsea and the WSL trying to negotiate some wiggle room with UEFA, it was a no-go. This means a whole lot of disappointed ticket-holders, with Sky Sports also scrambling to rearrange their broadcast schedule 📺.

But don’t worry, the decision was made with good intentions: no player should be expected to run a marathon of matches in such a short time! Marc Skinner, United’s boss, acknowledged it’s frustrating but necessary for the players’ safety 💪. The football world knows that fixture congestion is a growing issue in the women’s game, and this case highlights just how much needs to be done to fix the mess before players start striking for better treatment.

As for now, the WSL promises to announce a new date, but for Chelsea and Manchester United fans, it’s a wait-and-see game. Until then, Chelsea can focus on taking on Real Madrid—hopefully with fresh legs and winning minds.

BUNDESLIGA NEWS

⚽️ Bundesliga's Business Plan

The Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga is stepping into the future with some serious teamwork off the pitch! ⚽✨ In a big business play, 11 out of 12 clubs have joined forces to create the ‘Geschäftsplan Frauen-Bundesliga Projekt GbR’(or the Women’s Bundesliga Project Business Plan, if you don’t speak corporate German 😉). Wolfsburg, while cheering from the sidelines, isn’t formally joining the company due to internal reasons (maybe they’re too busy winning? 🏆).

The new plan aims to transform the Women’s Bundesliga into a self-sustaining, independent ecosystem—a football league that’s running on its own power kicks without leaning on outside help. This isn’t just a quick corner kick but a long-term strategy that involves everything from growing the sport to making it more professional in areas like marketing, organization, and player development. Basically, they're planning to level up the whole game 🎯📈.

Led by clubs like Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, and RB Leipzig, along with a sprinkling of DFB involvement, this task force is like the Avengers of German women’s football. Their mission? To make sure the Women’s Bundesliga stays internationally competitive and can go toe-to-toe with the world’s best leagues 🌍💪.

Bayern’s Bianca Rech, the mastermind behind their women’s football operations, called this restructuring a game-changer and the foundation for a thriving future. She emphasized that independent and self-determined structures are crucial for keeping Germany’s women’s football at the elite level. It’s all about growth—both on and off the pitch. Think of it as creating the perfect conditions for the next generation of stars to shine even brighter 🌟.

This collaboration not only boosts the league’s competitive edge but also strengthens its financial and organizational muscles. From handling business plans like pros to making sure the players’ well-being is front and center, it’s a new era for women’s football in Germany. ⚖️💼

USYNT NEWS

👏🏻 Schoepfer’s Squad

With the excitement building for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup kicking off in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, head coach Katie Schoepfer has named her 21-player roster, showcasing a blend of seasoned talents and fresh faces. This marks a historic moment as it features professional players for the first time, including Angel City FC's Kennedy Fuller, who not only leads the team with an impressive nine goals but also recently snagged the Golden Ball as the top player at the Concacaf U-17 Championship. The team will start its journey on October 16 against reigning champions Spain, before facing Colombia on October 19 and the Korea Republic on October 22. All matches will be broadcast in English on FS2 and in Spanish on Telemundo, ensuring fans won't miss a minute of the action! 📺

Schoepfer's roster reflects a significant evolution in U.S. women’s soccer, featuring a whopping 16 players born in 2007 and five born in 2008. Among them are players like San Diego Wave's Kimmi Ascanio and Melanie Barcenas, both of whom contributed to a dominant qualification campaign, where the U.S. scored 38 goals in five matches. The blend of collegiate and professional experience—such as the talented trio from the San Diego Wave—creates an exciting dynamic that promises to captivate fans and showcase the potential of women’s soccer in the U.S. The squad has already demonstrated their mettle by rolling past rivals in qualifying, and as they step onto the world stage, they embody hope and ambition for the future of women's football. If they can maintain their momentum, the sky's the limit! 🏆🌍

AFC NEWS

🌏 AFC Women’s Champions League

Women’s soccer is on the upswing in Asia, and the newly launched AFC Women’s Champions League is ready to kick off the excitement! After some stunning World Cup performances that had fans cheering (and maybe crying) with joy, the tournament promises to spotlight the incredible talent across the continent. North Korea recently stunned the soccer world by taking home the U-20 Women’s World Cup trophy, while Australia dazzled fans by reaching the semifinals of the last Women’s World Cup it co-hosted with New Zealand. Talk about setting the stage for greatness! 🌍✨

The revamped league launches this week, with the Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies representing Japan. After clinching victory over South Korea’s Incheon Red Angels in a preliminary tournament, they are eager to show the world what they've got! Urawa’s coach, Naoki Kusunose, expressed excitement over the newfound competitive spirit, stating, “It’s good for Asia, and we have rivals to compete with.” Meanwhile, Melbourne City is also ready to strut their stuff, seeing this inaugural campaign as an honor and a prime opportunity to snag some silverware. 💪🏆

However, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. A recent FIFPro report highlights some troubling truths: only 62% of players in the pilot tournament identified as professionals, and many are earning less than $10,000 a year. Kathryn Gill of FIFPro urges the AFC to collaborate with leagues, clubs, and players to ensure a more equitable development of the women’s game. As the AFC president puts it, this tournament could empower women and contribute to gender equality in sports.

WSL NEWS

🥅 Reid Going Pro

Arsenal’s own Katie Reid has officially signed her first professional contract at just 18! After joining the academy at 13 and winning trophies like a seasoned pro, she’s made quite the splash in her debut season, including a memorable 5-0 win against Bristol City. 🥳 With experience under her belt from a dual-registration with Watford and leading England's youth teams to European glory, Katie's ready to shine on the big stage. “This is what I always aspired to,” she beamed, proving that dreams do come true—especially when you hustle! 💪⚽

RISING STAR

🚀 Lily’s Rocket

In a stunning display of talent, 17-year-old Lily Yohannes kicked off Ajax's season in style, scoring a jaw-dropping goal in their 5-1 victory over PEC Zwolle. 🚀 After shrugging off her defender, she unleashed a shot from the top of the box that had fans buzzing—and might just put her on the radar for a future national team spot! As she navigates her dual citizenship and international future, this Virginia native is proving that she’s not just a player to watch; she’s a force to be reckoned with! ⚽️

🥇 Perfect Gift For Your Little Champion

Dive into vibrant scenes of young athletes owning the field, the waves, and more. It’s a fun way to celebrate sports, break stereotypes, and color your way to empowerment! Grab one for the young champion in your life and watch their confidence soar!

UPCOMING GAMES

UWCL GROUP STAGE

OCTOBER 8TH

Lyon v Galatasaray 12:45pm

Roma v Wolfsburg 12:45pm

Chelsea v Real Madrid 3pm

Celtic v Twente 3pm

OCTOBER 9TH

Bayern v Arsenal 12:45pm

Hammarby v St Pölten 12:45pm

Valerenga v Juventus 3pm

Man City v Barcelona 3pm

Check out the rest of the UWCL matches here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

WSL

OCTOBER 5TH

Brighton v Aston Villa 7:30am

OCTOBER 6TH

Chelsea v Man Utd (POSTPONED)

Man City v West Ham 8am

Arsenal v Everton 9am

Tottenham v Liverpool 9:15am

Leicester City v Crystal Palace 10am

Check out more WSL matches here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

NWSL

OCTOBER 4TH

Dash v Red Stars 8pm

Reign v Angel City 10pm

OCTOBER 5TH

Courage Wave FC 7pm

Gotham v Bay FC 7:30pm

Racing v Current 7:30pm

Thorns v Royals 10pm

OCTOBER 6TH

Pride v Spirit 5pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

USL

OCTOBER 4TH

DC Power FC v Tampa Bay FC 7:30pm

OCTOBER 6TH

Lexington SC v Carolina Ascent FC 4pm

Fort Lauderdale FC v Brooklyn FC 7:30pm

Spokane Zephyr FC v Dallas Trinity FC 9pm

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Liga F

OCTOBER 4TH

Real Madrid v Valencia 1pm

OCTOBER 5TH

Athletic Club v Atl. Madrid 6am

Madrid CFF v Barcelona 10am

Levante v Sevilla 12pm

OCTOBER 6TH

Espanyol v Eibar 10am

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Serie A

OCTOBER 5TH

Fiorentina W v Como W 6:30am

Sampdoria W v Juventus 12pm

OCTOBER 6TH

Lazio W v Sassuolo 6:05am

Napoli W v AC Milan W 8:30am

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Bundesliga

OCTOBER 4TH

Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig 12:30pm

OCTOBER 5TH

Bayern Munich v Koln 8am

OCTOBER 6TH

SGS Essen W v Eintracht Frankfurt W 8am

OCTOBER 7TH

Bayer Leverkusen v Jena W 12pm

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST

UPCOMING GAMES

Eredivisie Vrouwen

OCTOBER 5TH

Twente v PSV 10:30am

OCTOBER 6TH

AZ Alkmaar v Ajax 6:15am

Check out the rest of the fixtures here.

ALL TIMES ARE EST