The Equalizer

© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Here’s a look at some stats and minutiae following Week 11 of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season. We’ll keep evolving this space every week to try and keep you informed. Have an idea or an addition? Hit me @thedanlauletta on Bsky or X. All statistics reference regular season games only except where noted. -Sophia Wilson scored the final goal in the Thorns’ 4-0 win over Racing Louisville to become the ninth player with 50 NWSL goals.

Gotham FC is moving to Queens. The reigning National Women’s Soccer League champions have officially announced a move to Queens, New York City. They will call the brand new Etihad Park home in 2028. Etihad Park will also be home to Major League Soccer’s New York City FC. Currently, Gotham FC features at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, which is home to the New York Red Bulls.

Week 11 saw the Courage win again despite losing their MVP candidate, Mallory Swanson looking like a star (as opposed to a Star), and a teenage keeper blank the league champions. Here are 11 thoughts from the weekend. We’ll do this every Monday following NWSL match weeks. Some points will be factual, some will be opinion based. And some will just be random statements or observations. Let’s dig in! I.

Photo Credit: Gretchen Schneider/Chicago Stars FC The Chicago Stars earned just their fourth win of the season Sunday, defeating Utah Royals 3-2 to end the visitors’ franchise-record 10-game unbeaten streak. Chicago got two goals from striker Jordyn Huitema and a stunning solo effort from centerback Sam Staab to earn the victory. Huitema, who was acquired in a preseason trade with the Reign, got the scoring started in the 20th minute, sliding in to finish off a cross from Brianna Pinto.

May 30, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Wilson (9) scores a goal on a penalty kick during the second half against the Utah Royals at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images Sophia Wilson scored the final goal in the Portland Thorns’ 4-0 beatdown of Racing Louisville FC on Sunday. It was Wilson’s 50th career NWSL regular season goal. She is the ninth player to hit the 50-goal mark and the fastest in terms of games played.

Angel City defeated the Orlando Pride, 2-0 on Friday in the debut match for interim head coach Leif Gunnar Smerud. The club fired Alexander Straus June 17 and named Smerud interim coach. The win snapped a two-game losing streak and was only the 2nd for Angel City since their 3-0-0 start to the campaign. Maiara Niehues scored in the 36th minute and Sveindis Jonsdottir got on the scoresheet in the 56th.

Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Ashley Sanchez secured her second brace of the season Saturday, propelling the North Carolina Courage to a 3-1 victory at home over the Seattle Reign. Sanchez has now scored nine goals for the 2025-26 season, a career best for the 27-year-old midfielder. The tally puts her second in the National Women’s Soccer League Golden Boot race.

(Photo Credit: EM Dash | Imagn Images) Chelsea FC has acquired Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo from the North Carolina Courage for an undisclosed transfer fee. She has signed a five-year deal with Chelsea. The 21-year-old was named the National Women’s Soccer League Midfielder of the Year in 2025, and was nominated for MVP. Manaka is known for her crafty footwork, clinical shooting, and exceptional vision; she is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world.

Photo Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images Seattle Reign starting goalkeeper Claudia Dickey did not travel with the team to North Carolina and will be unavailable to play in tomorrow’s match against the Courage. The availability report for the game has not yet been released, but head coach Laura Harvey told media in her MD-1 press conference that Dickey picked up an injury with the U.S. women’s national team in Brazil and has not yet recovered.

© David Banks-Imagn Images The NWSL returns Friday, July 3 after taking the entire month of June — save last week’s Challenge Cup — to cede the soccer stage to their make cohorts. Here are 11 thoughts on things I would like to see between now and the end of 2026 around NWSL. Here are 11 thoughts from the weekend. We’ll do this every Monday following NWSL match weeks. Some points will be factual, some will be opinion based. And some will just be random statements or observations. Let’s dig in.