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Full Time Newsletter 
| This is The Athletic’s weekly women’s soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox.
Serena Williams is back in tennis. I’m still processing that and thinking about what soccer figures I would want to make such an epic return. Have thoughts? Email us at [email protected].
Now, in today’s Full Time:
Summer fun with NWSL
USL Super League crowns a champion
More Brazil prep for USWNT
Let’s start by going on break …
This newsletter isn’t going on break, but everyone else is. NWSL teams are all at least a third of the way through their seasons, and now the league is taking a month-long pause during the group stage of the men’s World Cup.
It’s a chance for teams to reset and refocus. Here’s a quick look at where things stand:
At the bottom of the table, Racing Louisville are on an unrecognizable skid despite their pieces, like U.S. forward Emma Sears. Just above them are the Chicago Stars, who benefit from one more win than Louisville thanks to Mallory Swanson’s return.
The two expansion teams, Boston Legacy and Denver Summit, are on different paths. Denver has been able to maintain that opening-weekend excitement and are just out of the playoff picture, while Boston has some soul-searching to do.
And some inevitables: Temwa Chawinga is good at soccer, and so is Barbra Banda (though we are a little concerned about her early exit from Orlando’s win over Bay FC). They are the top two contenders for the Golden Boot, again. Banda has the lead with 11 goals in 12 games, while Chawinga is quickly catching up with seven goals in eight games since returning from injury.
Also, congratulations to the Utah Royals for making it to the break with a 10-match unbeaten run, holding the Portland Thorns to a 2-2 draw this weekend.
Even during the break, an NWSL bus could be visiting a town near you. Fun!
Songs of the summer
What better way to embrace the seasonal vibes than with the perfect playlist? We went through the painstaking illuminating process of assigning a song of the summer to each of the 16 NWSL teams. This was a group effort by our staff, so the list is as eclectic and wonderful as the league. The songs are representative of teams via lyrics, metaphors and just overall vibes.
We even made a Spotify playlist for you. Listen here.
San Diego: “Dance Tonight” by Lucy Pearl
The top team headed into the break has fully embraced the West Coast city it calls home: Having fun is a luxury worth fighting for. Chock-full of creatives, the Wave are at their best when they’re relaxed and enjoying the ball.
Utah Royals: “Wickedest” by Tems
Not many people understood the plan when Utah quietly churned and toiled the earth (and dealt with staggering injuries, to be fair). The best thing it can do is stay the course.
Portland Thorns: “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy
The Thorns have the chance to solidify Portland’s legacy with a historic fourth championship, the most of any team. We’ll be remembering this team for centuries if so.
Washington Spirit: “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey
Spirit believed in Jose the Coyote, and the wins started coming. This faith might just be what helps them win their second NWSL championship.
Gotham FC: “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco
The reigning champions have plenty of promise, but as their struggles in the Concacaf W Champions Cup showed, it’s time to turn hope into action.
Kansas City Current: “The Universal” by Blur
I heard this song while watching Lincoln City’s promotion-clinching match a few weeks ago, with thousands of supporters singing this classic ’90s Britpop anthem from the stands. Beyond the meaning, it feels especially fitting given that the Current’s ground recently hosted filming for the fourth season of “Ted Lasso.”
North Carolina: “Pink Pony Club” by Chappelle Roan
A team that has emerged from the shadows and suddenly cannot be ignored, North Carolina’s rebirth feels a lot like the way Roan burst onto the scene. This song is both powerful in message and fun, and has a whole lot of Courage.
Orlando Pride: “Tive Sim” by Cartola
Samba for Orlando? Groundbreaking. This masterpiece by the legendary singer Cartola touches on a comeback, moving on to a new love while respectfully acknowledging the past, which is what Orlando desperately needs.
Denver Summit: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
This feels like a reference to every goal this team has achieved this year: its first point, first win, and eventually, first playoff push.
Seattle Reign: “Learn to Fly” by Foo Fighters
Seattle desperately needs to start getting results and showing us what they are capable of. They fell short against the Spirit this weekend, but coach Laura Harvey has a month to reorganize and teach her squad to fly in the second half.
Houston Dash: “Treasure in the Hills” by Leon Thomas
Will we see the Dash spend the funds they acquired from the trades of Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan at the start of the season? The Dash’s rookies and other less experienced players have overperformed at times, but to ensure longevity, focus on finding their soul.
Angel City: “girl, get up.” by Doechii (ft. SZA)
If there’s an NWSL club that would most embrace the suggestion of sipping some kombucha on a rooftop, it’s Angel City. Much less levitatin’ or meditatin,’ as Doechii and SZA sing about, this team needs to get up and get going with the talent it has.
Bay FC: “Happier Times Ahead” by RAYE
It’s tough to go so many games without a win — five, in Bay FC’s case. The results aren’t there, but the team’s improvements from last season are noticeable and can be built upon.
Boston Legacy: “Why don’t you” by Cleo Sol
Self-reflection and acceptance. Boston needs to embrace the turbulence of its first season and the learning opportunities it bears.
Chicago Stars: “Why Not?” by Hilary Duff
The Stars are the team with the most to gain this offseason, so why not throw all you got into this summer transfer window?
Racing Louisville: “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
If Sears can rediscover the form that made her one of the league’s rising stars last year, bottom-of-the-table Racing still has every chance to climb back to the playoff race.
USWNT gets caffeinated, again
For the U.S., it’s time to start perfecting the milk frothing and latte art, because Triple Espresso is back on the U.S. roster. If the trio of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman play together in either of the USWNT’s two friendlies against Brazil in São Paulo and Fortaleza on June 6 and 9, it will mark their first time doing so since the gold medal match of the 2024 Paris Olympics … when Swanson scored the only goal.
This road trip is a major litmus test as coach Emma Hayes continues to refine her core group for the 2027 World Cup in the same location next summer. The Americans are 2-2-2 against Brazil when playing in Brazil.
Just as notable are the other new faces in this camp compared to the last one: goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, center back Tara Rudd and midfielders Croix Bethune and Riley Jackson.
Scouting the opponent
Brazil, the reigning champion of South America, will no doubt be looking to tilt the tide in its favor against its North American rivals after a series of high-profile and/or tightly contested matches in recent years. After earning silver at the Olympics, Brazil next met the U.S. in a pair of friendlies in California last April, where the two continental giants split results.
Like Hayes, Brazil coach Arthur Elias is continuing to chisel down his core squad for the home World Cup next summer. His June roster features eight NWSL players, who are represented in every position, and will see the return of Marta. The 40-year-old hasn’t played much for the Pride this season (223 minutes across seven matches), but it’s hard to imagine her not making an appearance in her home country for these big games.
Watch: Saturday’s friendly is at 5:30 p.m. ET on TBS and Telemundo, and the second is a week from tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT and Telemundo. Both matches will stream on HBO Max in English and Universo and Peacock in Spanish.
The second USL Super League crown
Lexington SC completed a remarkable worst-to-first turnaround Saturday to win the USL Super League, the other top-division women’s league in the U.S., defeating Carolina Ascent 3-1 after extra time to secure both the league title and the Players’ Shield.
Just a year ago, Lexington finished last in the league’s inaugural season. The club completed the double following a major offseason roster overhaul.
Defender Regan Steigleder, a former Current player, scored her first goal of the season in the 96th minute, powering home a header directly from a corner kick. And Addie McCain added a late insurance goal on the counterattack to seal the victory and one of the most dramatic title runs in recent women’s soccer memory.
While this weekend was about celebration, the recent announcement that another USL SL club, the Spokane Zephyr, is ceasing operations after just two seasons, put the overall plans for the league’s growth in question.
More news
With Swanson and Wilson back together on the U.S. team, it’s a perfect time to plug our motherhood series again, especially after Hayes discussed her role in the players’ return.
All eyes are now on Alexia Putellas, after the Ballon d’Or winner announced she’s leaving Barcelona. We have ideas about where she could land in the NWSL.
The Women’s Super League in England is officially done after Manchester City’s 4-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton. But the transfer market is just heating up. Katie McCabe to Chelsea, Niamh Charles to City, Sam Kerr’s next team. The Athletic is across it all.
Unity in competition: The FA Cup is about more than tradition and trophies; it’s about togetherness. Caoimhe O’Neill spoke to fans at the final about why the competition means so much to them.
Challenging the status quo: This month feels like a perfect moment to get ahead of ourselves and evaluate the race for the next Ballon d’Or. Tamerra writes how the considerations for the award need to be reexamined. Time to freshen things up.
Why so serious? World Sevens Football also held its tournament last week in London, exclusively with WSL teams. The tournament might get a lot of flak for its antics, but maybe a little silly (think: Bad Bunny impersonations and false labor) is exactly what soccer needs.
Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo’s women’s sports hub, in partnership with The Athletic. Also, check out our other newsletters.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
US Women's national team, NWSL, Full Time Newsletter
2026 The Athletic Media Company
Continue reading...
| This is The Athletic’s weekly women’s soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox.Serena Williams is back in tennis. I’m still processing that and thinking about what soccer figures I would want to make such an epic return. Have thoughts? Email us at [email protected].
Now, in today’s Full Time:
Summer fun with NWSL
USL Super League crowns a champion
More Brazil prep for USWNT
Let’s start by going on break …
Taking a Break: How NWSL stands ahead of summer pause
This newsletter isn’t going on break, but everyone else is. NWSL teams are all at least a third of the way through their seasons, and now the league is taking a month-long pause during the group stage of the men’s World Cup.
It’s a chance for teams to reset and refocus. Here’s a quick look at where things stand:
At the bottom of the table, Racing Louisville are on an unrecognizable skid despite their pieces, like U.S. forward Emma Sears. Just above them are the Chicago Stars, who benefit from one more win than Louisville thanks to Mallory Swanson’s return.
The two expansion teams, Boston Legacy and Denver Summit, are on different paths. Denver has been able to maintain that opening-weekend excitement and are just out of the playoff picture, while Boston has some soul-searching to do.
And some inevitables: Temwa Chawinga is good at soccer, and so is Barbra Banda (though we are a little concerned about her early exit from Orlando’s win over Bay FC). They are the top two contenders for the Golden Boot, again. Banda has the lead with 11 goals in 12 games, while Chawinga is quickly catching up with seven goals in eight games since returning from injury.
Also, congratulations to the Utah Royals for making it to the break with a 10-match unbeaten run, holding the Portland Thorns to a 2-2 draw this weekend.
Even during the break, an NWSL bus could be visiting a town near you. Fun!
Songs of the summer
What better way to embrace the seasonal vibes than with the perfect playlist? We went through the painstaking illuminating process of assigning a song of the summer to each of the 16 NWSL teams. This was a group effort by our staff, so the list is as eclectic and wonderful as the league. The songs are representative of teams via lyrics, metaphors and just overall vibes.
We even made a Spotify playlist for you. Listen here.
San Diego: “Dance Tonight” by Lucy Pearl
The top team headed into the break has fully embraced the West Coast city it calls home: Having fun is a luxury worth fighting for. Chock-full of creatives, the Wave are at their best when they’re relaxed and enjoying the ball.
Utah Royals: “Wickedest” by Tems
Not many people understood the plan when Utah quietly churned and toiled the earth (and dealt with staggering injuries, to be fair). The best thing it can do is stay the course.
Portland Thorns: “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy
The Thorns have the chance to solidify Portland’s legacy with a historic fourth championship, the most of any team. We’ll be remembering this team for centuries if so.
Washington Spirit: “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey
Spirit believed in Jose the Coyote, and the wins started coming. This faith might just be what helps them win their second NWSL championship.
Gotham FC: “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco
The reigning champions have plenty of promise, but as their struggles in the Concacaf W Champions Cup showed, it’s time to turn hope into action.
Kansas City Current: “The Universal” by Blur
I heard this song while watching Lincoln City’s promotion-clinching match a few weeks ago, with thousands of supporters singing this classic ’90s Britpop anthem from the stands. Beyond the meaning, it feels especially fitting given that the Current’s ground recently hosted filming for the fourth season of “Ted Lasso.”
North Carolina: “Pink Pony Club” by Chappelle Roan
A team that has emerged from the shadows and suddenly cannot be ignored, North Carolina’s rebirth feels a lot like the way Roan burst onto the scene. This song is both powerful in message and fun, and has a whole lot of Courage.
Orlando Pride: “Tive Sim” by Cartola
Samba for Orlando? Groundbreaking. This masterpiece by the legendary singer Cartola touches on a comeback, moving on to a new love while respectfully acknowledging the past, which is what Orlando desperately needs.
Denver Summit: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
This feels like a reference to every goal this team has achieved this year: its first point, first win, and eventually, first playoff push.
Seattle Reign: “Learn to Fly” by Foo Fighters
Seattle desperately needs to start getting results and showing us what they are capable of. They fell short against the Spirit this weekend, but coach Laura Harvey has a month to reorganize and teach her squad to fly in the second half.
Houston Dash: “Treasure in the Hills” by Leon Thomas
Will we see the Dash spend the funds they acquired from the trades of Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan at the start of the season? The Dash’s rookies and other less experienced players have overperformed at times, but to ensure longevity, focus on finding their soul.
Angel City: “girl, get up.” by Doechii (ft. SZA)
If there’s an NWSL club that would most embrace the suggestion of sipping some kombucha on a rooftop, it’s Angel City. Much less levitatin’ or meditatin,’ as Doechii and SZA sing about, this team needs to get up and get going with the talent it has.
Bay FC: “Happier Times Ahead” by RAYE
It’s tough to go so many games without a win — five, in Bay FC’s case. The results aren’t there, but the team’s improvements from last season are noticeable and can be built upon.
Boston Legacy: “Why don’t you” by Cleo Sol
Self-reflection and acceptance. Boston needs to embrace the turbulence of its first season and the learning opportunities it bears.
Chicago Stars: “Why Not?” by Hilary Duff
The Stars are the team with the most to gain this offseason, so why not throw all you got into this summer transfer window?
Racing Louisville: “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
If Sears can rediscover the form that made her one of the league’s rising stars last year, bottom-of-the-table Racing still has every chance to climb back to the playoff race.
‘Come to Brazil’
USWNT gets caffeinated, again
For the U.S., it’s time to start perfecting the milk frothing and latte art, because Triple Espresso is back on the U.S. roster. If the trio of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman play together in either of the USWNT’s two friendlies against Brazil in São Paulo and Fortaleza on June 6 and 9, it will mark their first time doing so since the gold medal match of the 2024 Paris Olympics … when Swanson scored the only goal.
This road trip is a major litmus test as coach Emma Hayes continues to refine her core group for the 2027 World Cup in the same location next summer. The Americans are 2-2-2 against Brazil when playing in Brazil.
Just as notable are the other new faces in this camp compared to the last one: goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, center back Tara Rudd and midfielders Croix Bethune and Riley Jackson.
Scouting the opponent
Brazil, the reigning champion of South America, will no doubt be looking to tilt the tide in its favor against its North American rivals after a series of high-profile and/or tightly contested matches in recent years. After earning silver at the Olympics, Brazil next met the U.S. in a pair of friendlies in California last April, where the two continental giants split results.
Like Hayes, Brazil coach Arthur Elias is continuing to chisel down his core squad for the home World Cup next summer. His June roster features eight NWSL players, who are represented in every position, and will see the return of Marta. The 40-year-old hasn’t played much for the Pride this season (223 minutes across seven matches), but it’s hard to imagine her not making an appearance in her home country for these big games.
Watch: Saturday’s friendly is at 5:30 p.m. ET on TBS and Telemundo, and the second is a week from tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT and Telemundo. Both matches will stream on HBO Max in English and Universo and Peacock in Spanish.
Notables
The second USL Super League crown
Lexington SC completed a remarkable worst-to-first turnaround Saturday to win the USL Super League, the other top-division women’s league in the U.S., defeating Carolina Ascent 3-1 after extra time to secure both the league title and the Players’ Shield.
Just a year ago, Lexington finished last in the league’s inaugural season. The club completed the double following a major offseason roster overhaul.
Defender Regan Steigleder, a former Current player, scored her first goal of the season in the 96th minute, powering home a header directly from a corner kick. And Addie McCain added a late insurance goal on the counterattack to seal the victory and one of the most dramatic title runs in recent women’s soccer memory.
While this weekend was about celebration, the recent announcement that another USL SL club, the Spokane Zephyr, is ceasing operations after just two seasons, put the overall plans for the league’s growth in question.
More news
With Swanson and Wilson back together on the U.S. team, it’s a perfect time to plug our motherhood series again, especially after Hayes discussed her role in the players’ return.
All eyes are now on Alexia Putellas, after the Ballon d’Or winner announced she’s leaving Barcelona. We have ideas about where she could land in the NWSL.
The Women’s Super League in England is officially done after Manchester City’s 4-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton. But the transfer market is just heating up. Katie McCabe to Chelsea, Niamh Charles to City, Sam Kerr’s next team. The Athletic is across it all.
First Looks
Unity in competition: The FA Cup is about more than tradition and trophies; it’s about togetherness. Caoimhe O’Neill spoke to fans at the final about why the competition means so much to them.
Challenging the status quo: This month feels like a perfect moment to get ahead of ourselves and evaluate the race for the next Ballon d’Or. Tamerra writes how the considerations for the award need to be reexamined. Time to freshen things up.
Why so serious? World Sevens Football also held its tournament last week in London, exclusively with WSL teams. The tournament might get a lot of flak for its antics, but maybe a little silly (think: Bad Bunny impersonations and false labor) is exactly what soccer needs.
Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo’s women’s sports hub, in partnership with The Athletic. Also, check out our other newsletters.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
US Women's national team, NWSL, Full Time Newsletter
2026 The Athletic Media Company
Continue reading...
