HAPPY NWSL IS BACK DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE

I was planning on sending this hours ago, but the NWSL, Kansas City Current, Utah Royals and Ally Sentnor had other ideas. We are all beholden, for better or worse, to the chaos. But here we go, finally.

The NWSL is returning from its midseason break and I’ve been a bit busy trying to get you ready to swan dive back into the madness. In addition to the weekend schedule posted below, there are also two brand new pieces. The first is the 6 (was 5, lol) best summer arrivals into the NWSL so far. I look at the combination of player, talent and team needs to rank my favorite potential fits.

Then, there’s a big ol’ midseason reset awaiting your perusal. What does the table look like (and why)? What’s the status of the Golden Boot race? Who’s been putting up the most consistent xG? What about xA (expected assists)? And what are the biggest storylines to follow as the season restarts? I answer all that and more in the midseason reset.

We are so back.

upcoming matches for your eyeballs

today, august 1

Each one of these matchups is tasty in their own right but ready let me tell you, whatever you have planned for 10:30 pm ET is no long important. You will want to be sat, with snacks and maybe a squishmallow nearby. Seattle Reign vs. Angel City is gonna be a wild contrast of Laura Harvey’s likely unveiling of Mia Fishel and methodical style versus whatever Alexander Straus has been working on with Angel City and new arrival Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir.

saturday, august 2

This is another solid doubleheader. North Carolina need to solve the problem of getting Jaedyn Shaw and Ashley Sanchez established within the same XI, and San Diego will be hoping to pick up where they left off to prove they’re still legit. Bay and Houston are in similar positions, and each could gain a ton of confidence with a controlled win over the other. The problem is, neither team does ‘control’ or ‘win’ very well just yet, so let’s see what they’ve learned.

sunday, august 3

One of the Spirit’s last games before the break was a comprehensive 0-2 loss to Portland Thorns. Washington looked like they had no answers, and Portland looked like the far superior team. With a break, and the potential return of Trinity Rodman, they will be looking for sweet succulent revenge at Audi. Meanwhile, erm, well, the weekend should end with the Orlando Pride putting up crooked numbers against a suddenly Ally Sentnor-less Utah Royals team.

things to read

6 best nwsl summer arrivals (so far)

One of my favorite things about the NWSL is the summer transfer window. While most teams around the world use the summer window to load up for the start of the season, NWSL teams have a chance to fill some holes that appeared in the first half of the season, and load up for a charge to—maybe even through—the playoffs.

The window is still open until August 25th, but NWSL teams have been busy ahead of the restart of the season. Here are the five players I think could have the biggest impacts for their new clubs.

2025 nwsl midseason reset

After a summer break the most chaotic league in the world is back for the final, serious business half of its season. There’s a lot to find out through the upcoming matches of the regular season, then playoffs, but let’s take a second to reset in preparation of the league’s return with a look back at the first half of the season.

more #content you might be into

Hey Spirits
ANNNNND WE’RE BACK [Spirits Midseason reset]
🍎 Apple | 🟢 Spotify

Your Spirits are back (and @ Audi) this sunday, so your friendly neighborhood Washington Spirit podcast is here to give you everything you need to know as the NWSL season gets back underway!

farewell funsies

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