Gotham shoots to spoil Orlando’s repeat NWSL title bid

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Gotham shoots to end Orlando’s repeat NWSL title run

The last two NWSL champions will square off on Sunday, as No. 8 Gotham visits No. 4 Orlando on a mission to end the Pride’s repeat title bid in the weekend’s second semifinal.

• “We’re an incredible team, and we’re just going to capitalize on all the opportunities we can get,” said Gotham forward Jaedyn Shaw after last Sunday’s upset win over No. 1 Kansas City.

• “It seems like most people outside don’t believe in the Pride, but the Pride are still the champions,” Orlando captain Marta said after the Pride’s quarterfinal victory. “There needs to be a little bit more respect for that.”

Head-to-head: The teams split their 2025 regular-season series 1-1, with the away side taking all three points each time — though neither team is without an edge.

• “I’m really happy to be part of this team, and it’s only the beginning. This is the first game of three, so we’re going to keep pushing,” said Shaw, as the recent record-breaking signing continues to fuel Gotham’s firepower.

• “I love when people count us out,” said Pride midfielder Haley McCutcheon. “I feel like the only people who matter are the people in that locker room and the people who are with us every single day, working to achieve the goals we set out to achieve.”

Tune in: The Pride host Gotham FC on Sunday at 3 PM ET, live on ABC.

Spirit hopes for a healthy lineup to offset Thorns’ upset bid

No. 2 Washington is gearing up to face No. 3 Portland on Saturday, hoping for a healthy roster as the NWSL semifinal squads take the pitch in front of another sold-out “Rowdy Audi” crowd.

• The Spirit are still waiting for star forward Trinity Rodman’s return, as the 23-year-old continues to rehab a recent MCL injury after going as an unused sub in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

• Washington also saw defenders Gabby Carle and Tara McKeown exit last weekend’s win with apparent injuries, though Rodman and McKeown were spotted training with the team this morning.

Ready for battle: Despite their issues, the Spirit aren’t ready to tap out — as they take on Portland side firing on all cylinders after overcoming their own losses earlier this the season.

• “We are not just 11 players," Spirit manager Adrian Gonzalez assured reporters. “We have a deep roster and that’s something that’s giving us a lot.”

• “The bounce-back ability of this team has been absolutely outstanding all season long,” said Portland manager Rob Gale. “We ain’t done yet.”

Tune in: Washington hosts Portland at 12 PM ET on Saturday, live on CBS.

USC battles South Carolina for “The Real SC” in NCAA weekend headliner

South Carolina and USC are sure to bring the NCAA fireworks, as the No. 2 Gamecocks take on the No. 8 Trojans in Saturday’s “The Real SC” showdown.

• Both programs enter the matchup undefeated in early-season play, with the Trojans touting a Top 10 win after edging out No. 10 NC State 69-68 last weekend.

• “You don’t know exactly what you have until you’re put in these situations, which is why we schedule them,” USC head coach Lindsey Gottlieb said. “And I think it’s a chance for us to redefine our identity a little bit.”

Big picture: South Carolina’s depth will likely test the new-look Trojans, as USC aims to solidify their identity with injured star JuJu Watkins sidelined for the season.

• Freshman Jazzy Davidson is giving the Trojans new life, with the No. 1 high school recruit co-leading the team in scoring with 17.5 points per game.

• South Carolina, however, has seen early dividends from familiar faces, as sophomore Joyce Edwards leads the team in scoring, followed by high-profile transfer Ta’Niya Latson.

Tune in: USC welcomes South Carolina to LA’s Crypto.com Arena tomorrow at 9 PM ET, live on FOX.

USWNT legend Kelley O’Hara is teaming up with Adobe, taking over San Jose and cruising the Bay Area to hype fans up for this year’s NWSL Championship.

• O’Hara plus Darian Jenkins, Duda Pavao, Ali Riley, BJ Beckwith, and more special guests will pull up on Parque de los Pobladores on November 21st, arriving in a custom van teeming with prizes and giveaways, free merch, and more.

• From 12 PM to 2 PM PST, the crew is inviting soccer lovers to free their fan through Adobe Express, complete with an on-site iron-on station for decking out your NWSL gear with one-of-a-kind Adobe patches.

Be there: RSVP now to get in on the fun on November 21st from 12 to 2 PM PST at Parque de los Pobladores (1st Street & Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113).

Marta scores back-to-back FIFA Marta Award noms

Orlando and Brazil legend Marta is back in the spotlight, topping the shortlist for the second-annual FIFA Marta Award — after winning her namesake women’s goal-of-the-year honor in 2024.

• Marta won her first award for the shot that lifted Brazil over Jamaica in a June 2024 friendly, while this year’s nomination recognizes her iconic goal against Kansas City in Orlando’s 2024 NWSL semifinal win.

Raising the stakes: Marta has steep competition, however, with fellow nominees including former Tigres star Lizbeth Ovalle’s viral scorpion kick, Seattle defender Jordyn Bugg’s long-range missile against North Carolina, USWNT forward Ally Sentnor’s SheBelieves Cup strike, and more. (See full list)

Make the call: A 50-50 voting split between fans and a FIFA panel will decide the second-ever Marta Award winner, with voting open now on FIFA.com.

USWNT icons Tobin Heath & Heather O’Reilly headline 2026 HOF class

Two USWNT legends are seeing their legacies cemented, as retired forwards Tobin Heath and Heather O’Reilly were announced as first-ballot inductees to the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 this week.

• Both Heath and O’Reilly retired as World Cup champions and Olympic medalists, winning two Olympic golds and one World Cup as teammates.

• Fellow former USWNT star Sam Mewis finished fifth on the ballot in her first year of eligibility, with Amy Rodriguez coming in seventh and Stephanie Cox ranking 15th.

Stay tuned: The Class of 2026 will be inducted on May 1st in a ceremony at Frisco, Texas’s Toyota Stadium.

2025 NCAA soccer tournament kicks off

The road to the 2025 College Cup begins this weekend, as the NCAA women’s soccer tournament kicks off today with a stacked first-round field.

• The ACC’s strength is again reflected in this year’s seeding, as Stanford, Virginia, and Notre Dame enter at No. 1 alongside SEC standout Vanderbilt.

• But underdogs lurk throughout the bracket, with Big Ten champion Washington earning a No. 4 seed, dark horse Memphis entering at No. 7, and ACC powers No. 3 Florida State and No. 2 Duke eyeing future upsets. (See full bracket)

Tune in: The 2025 NCAA women’s soccer tournament kicks off today at 3 PM ET, live on ESPN+.

Quote of the day

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark
addressing her injury status while teeing off a The ANNIKA Pro-Am this week.