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Soccer

Marta Comes Out of Retirement to Join Brazil National Team Roster

May 15, 2025 by Tara S

Dee Lab | Just Women’s Sports

Soccer legend Marta is officially returning to the canary yellow kit, earning a Brazil national team call-up just over nine months after her planned retirement from international duty.

Brazil head coach Arthur Elias named Marta to the world No. 8 Seleção’s roster on Tuesday, with the 39-year-old icon returning for the team’s upcoming home friendlies against No. 5 Japan on May 30th and June 2nd.

“I was with Marta recently and spoke with her,” Elias told reporters on Tuesday. “She said she is available to help the team while she is playing at a high level, as she is now.”https://www.instagram.com/p/DJmtRY7Snxt/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fjustwomenssports.com&rp=%2Freads%2Fmarta-comes-out-of-retirement-to-join-brazil-national-team-roster%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A303.39999997615814%2C%22ls%22%3A215%2C%22le%22%3A215%7D

Stellar club form fuels Marta’s Brazil return

Marta, who hung up her international boots after snagging a third silver Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Games, hasn’t missed a beat since, captaining the Orlando Pride to the club’s first-ever NWSL Shield and Championship last fall.

In the process, the scoring phenom claimed the league’s Best XI First Team honors, as well as finalist nods for both the 2024 NWSL MVP and Midfielder of the Year awards.

Unsurprisingly, the Pride inked Marta to a two-year contract extension in January.

While Marta’s consistently impressive form fueled Elias’s request to lure her out of retirement, the manager is also hoping her unmatched leadership will bolster younger athletes as Brazil takes aim at a record-extending ninth Copa América title this summer — and, as the host nation, a deep 2027 World Cup run.

Joining the legend on Tuesday’s roster are fellow Brazil veterans Lorena and Debinha, from the NWSL-leading Kansas City Current, and Marta’s Orlando teammate Angelina.

“[Marta’s] presence in some call-ups is very important for the younger players, for the renewal that is taking place in the national team,” explained Elias. “We really want expectations to rise for the women’s national team and for football in our country.”

Filed Under: Soccer, Women's Soccer

2026 Expansion Team Denver Breaks NWSL Ticket Sales Record

April 9, 2025 by Tara S

Dee Lab | Just Women’s Sports

Less than two months after winning the bid to become the 16th NWSL team, 2026 expansion franchise Denver has already sold over 10,000 season ticket deposits, setting a new league record.

This week’s sales record comes after Denver became the fastest expansion franchise in NWSL history to surpass 5,000 season ticket deposits, with 5,280 snapped up in the first three days following the league awarding a team to the Mile High City.

“This milestone showcases that our community is passionate about women’s professional soccer and what we are building in Denver and across the front range,” said the club’s controlling owner Rob Cohen in a statement on Monday.

Denver continues plans for top-tier facilities

The incoming NWSL club has been busy outside the box office, too, as Denver dropped plans for a new 14,500-seat, purpose-built stadium last month.

With the team’s permanent competition digs aiming to open for the 2028 season, the club is also constructing both a purpose-built, 12,000-seat temporary stadium for the squad’s 2026 and 2027 season.

That stadium, as well as the team’s permanent state-of-the-art training and performance facility, will be located approximately 14 miles southeast of Denver in nearby Centennial, Colorado.

“There is still a great deal of work to be done,” said Cohen. “We are excited to continue collaborating with our community to create a club that is representative and inclusive of all of Colorado.”

How to secure NWSL Denver season tickets

With inventory flying off of Denver’s proverbial shelves, those interested in snagging season tickets to the NWSL’s 16th franchise can do so by submitting a deposit online.

Filed Under: Soccer, Women's Soccer

Davidson Captains New-Look Gotham FC Roster Ahead of 2025 NWSL Kick-Off

March 13, 2025 by Tara S

Just Women’s Sports

Gotham FC set the scene for NWSL club’s 2025 season on Tuesday, dropping their official 24-athlete roster and new player-led leadership group while handing longtime USWNT defender Tierna Davidson the captain’s armband ahead of Saturday’s regular-season kick-off.

At 26 years old, the 2019 World Cup champion and 2024 Olympic gold medalist succeeds retired goalkeeper Michelle Betos as the NJ/NY squad’s captain, heading up Gotham’s leadership alongside fellow defenders Jess Carter and Mandy Freeman, as well as midfielders Rose Lavelle and Nealy Martin.

Gotham also removed star forward Midge Purce from her season-ending injury designation on Tuesday, opening the door for the 29-year-old USWNT standout to return to the NWSL pitch for the first time since tearing her ACL in last season’s opener.

The 2023 NWSL Championship MVP tallied 16 goals across her 46 career appearances for Gotham before sitting out the entirety of the 2024 season.

Gotham FC midfielder Nealy Martin warns up before an NWSL match.
Gotham midfielder Nealy Martin will serve on the club’s 2025 leadership group. (Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)

Gotham aims for successful 2025 behind refreshed roster

Following last year’s third-place finish, the 2023 NWSL champs saw a handful of big-name departures, prompting the club to adopt a more measured approach to this season’s roster rebuild.

“Change is normal in this environment, right?” Martin told JWS in January. “People have got to do what’s best for their career, but it hurts losing your friends on your team just personally, selfishly.”

“Professionally, you have to take it in stride and see how all the new pieces can fit together,” she continued. “How you can highlight new people’s best talent in the system that you’re playing.”

Once considered a superteam, Gotham definitely looks a little different this time around, but early season moves display the club’s interest in transforming steady consistency into a winning squad — with or without massively deep star power.

Gotham FC forward Midge Purce prepares a corner kick during a 2024 NWSL match.
After missing the 2024 season with injury, Midge Purce could make her Gotham return shortly. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Gotham FC’s official 2025 team roster

  • Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger, Ryan Campbell, Shelby Hogan
  • Defenders: Bruninha, Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson, Mandy Freeman, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett
  • Midfielders: Sofia Cook, Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle, Nealy Martin, Stella Nyamekye, Taryn Torres
  • Forwards: Esther Gonzalez, Khyah Harper, Cece Kizer, Gabi Portilho, Midge Purce, Sarah Schupansky, Jéssica Silva, Ella Stevens, McKenna Whitham

Filed Under: Soccer, Women's Soccer

Washington Spirit Kicks Off 2025 NWSL Season with Challenge Cup Win

March 11, 2025 by Tara S

The Washington Spirit booked themselves some sweet revenge on Friday, lifting the 2025 Challenge Cup after taking down 2024 NWSL Championship foes Orlando in a penalty shootout.

The Pride were hunting an exclusive claim to all NWSL hardware entering the match, hoping to kick off the 2025 season holding the league’s Shield, Championship trophy, and Challenge Cup.

Instead, the Spirit snagged some early-season momentum, buoyed by yet another penalty save by Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

“We’re looking to write a new story — we were upset about how last year ended, but this is about this team, this year, and this is a great first step,” Kingsbury said after the game.

Penalty kicks fuel injury-hampered Spirit to Challenge Cup title

Washington’s win came in the wake of mounting early-season injuries, though Spirit star forward Trinity Rodman did enter as a second-half sub — despite her lingering back issue.

Pride defender Rafaelle opened scoring late in the first half, slotting a second-chance ball into the side netting through a flood of Spirit defenders to put Orlando on the board.

Washington equalized in the 72nd minute, as Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos made NWSL history by launching the second-ever direct free kick goal in any final.

The match ended 1-1 in regulation. According to the contest’s rules, there are no overtime periods in the Challenge Cup, forcing the Pride and Spirit to decide the result from the penalty spot.

The game-deciding shootout saw Washington outpace Orlando 4-2, allowing the Spirit to avenge their 2024 championship loss by immediately earning a 2025 trophy.

Notably, the Spirit are enjoying a unique penalty kick run, tallying their third shootout win in a knockout game — more than any other club in NWSL history.

While the regular season doesn’t officially start until Friday, the NWSL’s top two clubs hit the ground running — with Washington already proving just how quickly the tide can turn in the world’s most competitive league.

Filed Under: Soccer, Women's Soccer

Marta picked as first winner of Marta Award for best goal

December 18, 2024 by Tara S

ESPN News Services

Marta won the inaugural FIFA award for the best goal in women’s soccer — named after the Brazil great herself.

The 38-year-old was given the Marta Award at The Best FIFA Football Awards on Tuesday for her goal for Brazil in an international friendly against Jamaica in June.

Prior to this year, the FIFA Puskas Award covered all of soccer but it was decided to award it to the best goal in the men’s game — won this year by Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho — and create the new Marta Award for the women’s game.

“To compete against so many great players — we had some fantastic goals,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful season, too. But I’m even happier to receive an award that bears my name; this is undoubtedly the greatest honor.”

Marta is widely regarded as the greatest female soccer player of all time and had won the award for the women’s player of the year on a record six occasions.

She scored a record 119 goals for Brazil in 185 appearances for her country, spanning six World Cups and six Olympics, before retiring from international soccer after the Paris Games — where Brazil lost to the United States in the final.

Marta won the first NWSL title of her career last month when Orlando Pride beat Washington Spirit 1-0 in the final. She had scored another wondergoal in the semifinal, that could have also been a candidate for best of the year.

Marta was asked the day before the title match if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself.

“You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh.

The Marta Award was voted for by fans and a panel of FIFA legends.

Filed Under: Soccer, Women in Sports, Women's Soccer, Women's Sports

North Carolina defeats Wake Forest to win 2024 Women’s College Cup final

December 10, 2024 by Tara S

By Associate Press

CARY, N.C. — Olivia Thomas scored on a free kick in the 62nd minute for her fourth goal of the NCAA tournament as North Carolina beat Wake Forest 1-0 on Monday night for the program’s first national championship since 2012.

North Carolina (22-5-0) has won 22 of the 43 NCAA women’s soccer titles. The Tar Heels also won the 1981 AIAW title to total 23 national championships. No other women’s soccer team has won more than four.

Wake Forest (16-4-4) was playing in the championship game for the first time in program history. The Demon Deacons were seeking just the 11th national championship in school history. UNC has 51 NCAA team championships across eight sports.

Thomas drew three defenders and was taken down just outside the 18-yard box by Dempsey Brown, who received a yellow card. Thomas found a gap in the wall and curled it past goalkeeper Valentina Amaral for her ninth goal of the season.

Interim head coach Damon Nahas is the second coach in NCAA women’s soccer history to win a national championship in their first year as a head coach, joining UCLA’s Margueritte Aozasa from 2022.

North Carolina was making its 32nd College Cup appearance, including five of the past seven. No other team has been in more than 14. UNC was in the national title game for the 28th time, and has finished as the runner-up on six occasions.

It was the first title game involving two teams from the state of North Carolina since 1992 when North Carolina beat Duke 9-1.

Filed Under: Collegiate Sports, Soccer, Women's Soccer

Naeher retires as USWNT’s ‘greatest goalkeeper’

December 4, 2024 by Tara S

Cesar Hernandez | ESPN FC

United States coach Emma Hayes said retiring veteran Alyssa Naeher leaves the team as the “the greatest goalkeeper” the country has produced after Tuesday’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands.

“What I did say to her yesterday, in my opinion, she’s the greatest goalkeeper this country’s ever had, for lots of reasons,” Hayes said about the 36-year-old, who made six saves in her final USWNT match. “Most people don’t really realize what it takes to stay at the top. For her to do it, for the number of years she’s done it, wow.”

Naeher announced last week that the winter friendlies against England and the Netherlands would be the last of her national team career. The veteran, who will continue playing at club level for the Chicago Red Stars, earned a shutout in a 0-0 draw with England before emerging as one of the top performers in Tuesday’s narrow victory against the Dutch.

“I’m going to miss the coffee dates, hanging around the team room, talking. I’m going to miss the competition, playing at the highest level,” Naeher told ESPN after the match. “Obviously, I’m not done done, I’m still playing NWSL. But to have played internationals and World Cups is something I’ll miss, but I’ll miss the people.”

Defender Emily Fox also praised the goalkeeper who has won two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal — and is the only goalie to have shutouts in both a World Cup and Olympic gold medal final.

“Big shout to her, we’re going to miss her so much,” Fox said. “We’re happy we managed to win. I think the first half was rough, but we reorganised, got control of it.”

The USWNT relied on Naeher to stay alive in their latest match in which they were outshot 14 to 1 during the first half. An equalizing own-goal from the Netherlands before half-time allowed the team to eventually fight back with a winner from Lynn Williams in the 71st minute.

“If we’re not going to be our best with the ball, we better be our best without it and I thought we got bullied and harassed. … The Dutch should have been up 2-0 in the first half,” Hayes said. “We’re not sitting here saying we were the better team, you can still win football matches and not be at your best.

“I thought today we demonstrated, by not being at our best both in and out of possession, but finding a way to win, is a sign of a great team.”

Williams, the lone USWNT goal scorer, admitted the result wasn’t the most appealing of performances from the No. 1-ranked FIFA side.

“I wouldn’t say that this was our prettiest game of soccer ever, and sometimes that’s how games go,” the Gotham FC forward said. “The biggest thing was matching their intensity, getting to the second ball, getting to the first ball.”

With the results in hand, the USWNT closed out the year with a 20-game undefeated streak that featured a Gold Cup title, the SheBelieves Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

Hayes, who has never lost as U.S. coach, will lead her team back into action in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup tournament. The Americans will face Colombia, Australia and Japan in the annual tournament that is held in February.

Filed Under: Athlete Spotlight, Soccer, Women's Soccer

Marta, Orlando Pride capture first NWSL Championship

November 26, 2024 by Tara S

By Shintaro Kano | Olympics.com

At last, Brazil’s 38-year-old, six-time Olympian wins her maiden league title with the Florida club she’s known since 2017.

Marta and the Orlando Pride won their first-ever National Women’s Soccer League Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the final on Saturday (23 November).

Woman of the match Barbra Banda struck the lone goal in the 37th minute, latching on to a ball over the top from Angelina before hitting past Aubrey Kingsbury.

Captain and Brazilian legend Marta finally lifted the trophy on this night before a sellout crowd at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, having been with the club since their second season of existence in 2017.

“I believe so much that god knows what time is the right time for things to happen,” said the 38-year-old six-time Olympian, whose mother watched her play in the US for her first time.

“I’ve been asking myself why I still play for Orlando after eight years. I’m the only player in this club since 2017.

“I had so many questions but now I have the answer because it was time to be champion.”

Banda’s goal was her fourth of the play-offs, a league record. Orlando had not finished higher than seventh apart from Marta’s first year with the team and this season, when they were top of the table

Filed Under: Soccer, Women's Soccer

Chawinga Crowned NWSL MVP as Bethune, Sams Win Additional 2024 Awards

November 25, 2024 by Tara S

Dee Lab | Just Women’s Sports

After securing spots on the Best XI First Team on Monday, Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga, Washington’s Croix Bethune, and Orlando’s Emily Sams picked up even more 2024 NWSL awards this week.

On Friday, KC striker Chawinga added 2024 MVP to her stacked resume, one day after Bethune and Sams snagged their respective position awards.

A striking first NWSL season for KC’s Chawinga

It’s almost impossible to believe that 2024 was Chawinga’s first NWSL season, but the newly minted MVP only joined Kansas City in January.

The Malawi international blasted into the league’s history books with 20 goals this year, ousting former NWSL star Sam Kerr from atop the single-season scoring record.

That effort earned the Current star the 2024 Golden Boot. She additionally notched league first along the way, becoming the only player to ever score against all teams in a single season.

Proving herself 2024’s leader in capitalizing on opportunities, the 26-year-old took the second-most shots in the league but put the most on target. A menace in the box, her subsequent speed and agility helped Chawinga lead the NWSL with 18 of her 20 goals netted from inside the 18.

“We are so proud of Temwa for earning this award,” said KC head coach Vlatko Andonovski on Friday. “Temwa has come so far this season in a short amount of time and is so important to our team, she is the clear MVP of both our team and the league.”

Washington rookie Croix Bethune runs across the pitch in a match.
2024 Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune became the first NWSL Midfielder of the Year on Thursday. (David Gonzales/USA TODAY Sports)

Bethune’s unmatched NWSL rookie debut

Speaking of history-making first-year NWSL players, Washington standout Bethune became a bonafide league star in her professional debut, one that earned her three end-of-season awards. Along with her Best XI First Team nod, Bethune became the 2024 Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, then capped her individual hardware haul by being named the NWSL’s first-ever Midfielder of the Year on Thursday.

As the No. 3 overall pick in the last-ever NWSL Draft, the Georgia alum made her presence on the professional pitch immediately known, snagging Rookie of the Month honors for every month she was eligible. She also became the first rookie to ever notch three assists in a single match.

Bethune, who also won Olympic gold with the USWNT in August, notched five goals and an NWSL record-tying 10 assists in her 2024 campaign. Even more impressively, the Spirit star did so in just 17 games, missing the last nine matches after a late-August injury ended her season.

“I’m so grateful,” Bethune told JWS at NWSL Championship Media Day in Kansas City after winning Midfielder of the Year. “Being out a lot of the season with injury [and] being able to achieve goals that I set for myself — thank you to the league and everyone who supports me.”

Orlando center back Emily Sams lifts her 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year trophy in the air.
Emily Sams is the first Orlando player to win Defender of the Year. (Kylie Graham/Imagn Images)

Sams named top NWSL defender

After helping Orlando lead the NWSL with 13 shutouts, fewest goals conceded, and most consecutive minutes without giving up a goal, center back Sams was named 2024 Defender of the Year (DOTY) on Thursday, becoming the first Pride player to earn the honor.

Sams now joins an elite club of seven defenders to ever win the award, including four-time DOTY Becky Sauerbrunn and last year’s back-to-back winner Naomi Girma.

Shield-winners Orlando led the NWSL this season, but Sams topped the Pride’s backline, leading the club in clearances, blocks, and possessions in the defensive third. Plus, the 25-year-old notched the second-most recoveries on the NWSL’s stat sheet with 163, and she’ll look to continue shutting down opponents when Orlando faces Washington in Saturday’s 2024 NWSL Championship.

Individual numbers aside, Sams was quick to share credit with her teammates on Thursday, saying, “this is literally impossible without all of you guys. Shout out to Anna, Kylie, Bells, Corey and everyone else who played on the backline this year — I can’t do what I do without you guys. Lets go win the championship.”

2024 NWSL end-of-season awards

  • Golden Boot: Temwa Chawinga, KC Current
  • MVP: Temwa Chawinga, KC Current
  • Rookie of the Year: Croix Bethune, Washington Spirit
  • Midfielder of the Year: Croix Bethune, Washington Spirit
  • Defender of the Year: Emily Sams, Orlando Pride
  • Goalkeeper of the Year: Ann-Katrin Berger, Gotham FC
  • Coach of the Year: Seb Hines, Orlando Pride

Filed Under: Soccer, Women's Soccer

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