Jeff Kassouf
@jeffkassouf.bsky.social
Lead NWSL + USWNT writer at ESPN. Founder of The Equalizer. Covering women's soccer since 2009.
BREAKING #NWSL NEWS: The Portland Thorns have fired head coach Rob Gale.
The Thorns finished third this season and made the semifinals. Results were up and down, although they also dealt with lots of key absences.
The Thorns finished third this season and made the semifinals. Results were up and down, although they also dealt with lots of key absences.
Sources: Portland Thorns fire coach Rob Gale
The Portland Thorns have fired head coach Rob Gale, multiple sources told ESPN.
www.espn.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 AM
BREAKING #NWSL NEWS: The Portland Thorns have fired head coach Rob Gale.
The Thorns finished third this season and made the semifinals. Results were up and down, although they also dealt with lots of key absences.
The Thorns finished third this season and made the semifinals. Results were up and down, although they also dealt with lots of key absences.
ICYMI in the #NWSL Championship rush, our @espn.com Anonymous GM Survey hit on some of the biggest inflection points for the league, through the eyes of those inside of it 👇
Our 2nd annual @espn.com anonymous #NWSL general manager survey is here, and the clearest trend from hours of interviews over the past two months is what's now playing out: concern about the limitations of the salary cap, and the inability to retain and attract the world's top players (inc. #USWNT).
NWSL GM survey: Is the salary cap a problem? Are teams still breaking rules?
ESPN's NWSL GM survey returns as execs dish on the worst front offices, tensions with USWNT, breaking the rules, their player wish list and more.
www.espn.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The #NWSL Championship has been growing YOY. Having seen it from it's humble 2013 beginnings, 2025 was the biggest/best yet.
So, where to for next year's final?
The availability factors really limit NWSL's options. I wonder again if we'd ever see a non-NWSL market host.
So, where to for next year's final?
The availability factors really limit NWSL's options. I wonder again if we'd ever see a non-NWSL market host.
November 25, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The #NWSL Championship has been growing YOY. Having seen it from it's humble 2013 beginnings, 2025 was the biggest/best yet.
So, where to for next year's final?
The availability factors really limit NWSL's options. I wonder again if we'd ever see a non-NWSL market host.
So, where to for next year's final?
The availability factors really limit NWSL's options. I wonder again if we'd ever see a non-NWSL market host.
The U.S. Deaf WNT defeated hosts Japan 4-0 in the Deaflympics gold medal game to win a record 5th gold medal and 8th world title. USDWNT is now unbeaten in 45 all-time games (44W, 1D). Three veterans + two coaches go out on top.
November 25, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The U.S. Deaf WNT defeated hosts Japan 4-0 in the Deaflympics gold medal game to win a record 5th gold medal and 8th world title. USDWNT is now unbeaten in 45 all-time games (44W, 1D). Three veterans + two coaches go out on top.
Jess Fishlock, the last one-club #NWSL original player, is back for a 14th year in Seattle. She told @espn.com:
"From the moment I moved here, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to leave. I’ve wanted to build my whole career here because of the deep meaning that it has for me.”
"From the moment I moved here, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to leave. I’ve wanted to build my whole career here because of the deep meaning that it has for me.”
Wales legend Fishlock extends Seattle Reign stay until 2026
Jess Fishlock has extended her contract at Seattle Reign until 2026.
www.espn.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Head coach Margueritte Aozasa is leaving UCLA to pursue other opportunities. She guided UCLA to the 2022 NCAA College Cup crown.
Margueritte Aozasa Departs UCLA for Other Opportunities - UCLA
Margueritte Aozasa departs UCLA for other opportunities
uclabruins.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Head coach Margueritte Aozasa is leaving UCLA to pursue other opportunities. She guided UCLA to the 2022 NCAA College Cup crown.
ICYMI: Our Futbol W #NWSL Championship postgame LIVE from both the studio and with cameos on the field at PayPal Park. If video and ESPN+ isn't easy for you, there's always the audio podcast version for Futbol W shows:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
Futbol W: Gotham FC Take It All
Podcast Episode · ESPN FC · 11/23/2025 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
ICYMI: Our Futbol W #NWSL Championship postgame LIVE from both the studio and with cameos on the field at PayPal Park. If video and ESPN+ isn't easy for you, there's always the audio podcast version for Futbol W shows:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
Gotham FC players and staff are currently atop two team branded buses in NYC on the procession to City Hall to receive the keys to the city, in honor of their 2025 #NWSL Championship. Gotham defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
🔴 LIVE: Gotham FC celebrates NWSL title in NYC parade
YouTube video by FOX 5 New York
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Gotham FC players and staff are currently atop two team branded buses in NYC on the procession to City Hall to receive the keys to the city, in honor of their 2025 #NWSL Championship. Gotham defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
40,000+ for the second leg of the Liga MX Femenil final at El Volcán, where Tigres won a seventh title. Incredible scenes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r23r...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r23r...
Tigres Femenil vs. América Femenil | Highlights Fútbol Estelar Liga MX | Telemundo Deportes
YouTube video by Telemundo Deportes
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
40,000+ for the second leg of the Liga MX Femenil final at El Volcán, where Tigres won a seventh title. Incredible scenes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r23r...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r23r...
Amoros* — auto correct, 6am, etc — said Emily Sonnett urged him to hold off on a sub right before they scored. Sonnett also had a crucial block in the first half, like her toepoke in the semifinal. I don't think we've talked enough about Sonnett's integral role in Gotham's #NWSL Championship.
The Futbol W post-game show wrapping the #NWSL Championship last night, including Rose Lavelle and Juan Carlos Amoroso reacting to Gotham's victory 👇
www.espn.com/watch?id=044...
www.espn.com/watch?id=044...
Futbol W: Post NWSL Championship (11/22/25) - Live Stream - Watch ESPN
Watch the Futbol W: Post NWSL Championship live stream from ESPN+ on Watch ESPN. First streamed on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
www.espn.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Amoros* — auto correct, 6am, etc — said Emily Sonnett urged him to hold off on a sub right before they scored. Sonnett also had a crucial block in the first half, like her toepoke in the semifinal. I don't think we've talked enough about Sonnett's integral role in Gotham's #NWSL Championship.
Gotham FC will receive the keys to the city at City Hall in NYC on Monday to celebrate their 2025 #NWSL Championship. A team spokesperson says a full ticker tape parade wasn't logistically possible the same week as the Thanksgiving parade. Many players also leave for international duty after Monday.
November 23, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Gotham FC will receive the keys to the city at City Hall in NYC on Monday to celebrate their 2025 #NWSL Championship. A team spokesperson says a full ticker tape parade wasn't logistically possible the same week as the Thanksgiving parade. Many players also leave for international duty after Monday.
The Futbol W post-game show wrapping the #NWSL Championship last night, including Rose Lavelle and Juan Carlos Amoroso reacting to Gotham's victory 👇
www.espn.com/watch?id=044...
www.espn.com/watch?id=044...
Futbol W: Post NWSL Championship (11/22/25) - Live Stream - Watch ESPN
Watch the Futbol W: Post NWSL Championship live stream from ESPN+ on Watch ESPN. First streamed on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
www.espn.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The Futbol W post-game show wrapping the #NWSL Championship last night, including Rose Lavelle and Juan Carlos Amoroso reacting to Gotham's victory 👇
www.espn.com/watch?id=044...
www.espn.com/watch?id=044...
Reposted by Jeff Kassouf
The emotions overflowed for Trinity Rodman following the Washington Spirit's 1-0 defeat to Gotham FC in the #NWSL Championship final. Tears were shed, as she said she "definitely underperformed." Obviously more to the defeat than her performance, but it still cut deep.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Emotional Rodman: Not myself in NWSL final loss
Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman said she "definitely underperformed" in Saturday's NWSL Championship, in which the Spirit fell to Gotham FC.
www.espn.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:17 AM
The emotions overflowed for Trinity Rodman following the Washington Spirit's 1-0 defeat to Gotham FC in the #NWSL Championship final. Tears were shed, as she said she "definitely underperformed." Obviously more to the defeat than her performance, but it still cut deep.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Gotham's season was up/down, but the highs brought trophies: First Concacaf and now the #NWSL Championship, a 2nd in 3 years. This is team has mastered the art of knockout soccer, rising to the occasion in big moments. Rose Lavelle did that on Saturday.
Gotham rides series of magic moments to win NWSL Championship
Nobody could be fooled into thinking that Gotham was the best team over the course of the NWSL season. But, on Saturday, the team's stars shone brightest when it counted most.
www.espn.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Gotham's season was up/down, but the highs brought trophies: First Concacaf and now the #NWSL Championship, a 2nd in 3 years. This is team has mastered the art of knockout soccer, rising to the occasion in big moments. Rose Lavelle did that on Saturday.
FULL TIME: Gotham FC 1, Washington Spirit 0
Rose Lavelle scores the late winner, and Gotham are #NWSL champions for the second time in three seasons, once again as the lowest seed in the field -- but in very different context this year.
Rose Lavelle scores the late winner, and Gotham are #NWSL champions for the second time in three seasons, once again as the lowest seed in the field -- but in very different context this year.
November 23, 2025 at 3:19 AM
FULL TIME: Gotham FC 1, Washington Spirit 0
Rose Lavelle scores the late winner, and Gotham are #NWSL champions for the second time in three seasons, once again as the lowest seed in the field -- but in very different context this year.
Rose Lavelle scores the late winner, and Gotham are #NWSL champions for the second time in three seasons, once again as the lowest seed in the field -- but in very different context this year.
Rose Lavelle puts Gotham ahead in the 80th minute on a wonderful finish from a central area. Washington played several minutes with 10 players as Hal Hershfelt got treated on the sideline, and she labored back onto the field right before that. #NWSL
November 23, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Rose Lavelle puts Gotham ahead in the 80th minute on a wonderful finish from a central area. Washington played several minutes with 10 players as Hal Hershfelt got treated on the sideline, and she labored back onto the field right before that. #NWSL
Bruninha on for Reale a few minutes after Reale was very lucky not to get a second yellow card. Space should be opening up in this second half. #NWSL
November 23, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Bruninha on for Reale a few minutes after Reale was very lucky not to get a second yellow card. Space should be opening up in this second half. #NWSL
Good amount of yellow in the stadium, and you can certainly hear the Spirit fans some 2,000+ miles from home.
November 23, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Good amount of yellow in the stadium, and you can certainly hear the Spirit fans some 2,000+ miles from home.
#NWSL Championship lineups (though I would not expect this shape for the Spirit in particular): Trinity Rodman on the bench and available again. Minutes TBD.
November 23, 2025 at 12:33 AM
#NWSL Championship lineups (though I would not expect this shape for the Spirit in particular): Trinity Rodman on the bench and available again. Minutes TBD.
It's #NWSL Championship gameday here in San Jose, CA. ICYMI, we had the Futbol W studio set up here all day Thursday to preview the game with players from Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit, plus commissioner Jessica Berman.
www.espn.com/watch/catalo...
www.espn.com/watch/catalo...
Stream Futbol W Videos on Watch ESPN - ESPN
Stream the latest Futbol W videos on Watch ESPN.
www.espn.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
It's #NWSL Championship gameday here in San Jose, CA. ICYMI, we had the Futbol W studio set up here all day Thursday to preview the game with players from Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit, plus commissioner Jessica Berman.
www.espn.com/watch/catalo...
www.espn.com/watch/catalo...
