Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 14h

Tune in to ESPN+ at 8:30 PM ET for another episode of Futbol W! We're discussing #UWCL, #NWSL and more 👇

Stream Futbol W Videos on Watch ESPN - ESPN

Stream the latest Futbol W videos on Watch ESPN.

www.espn.com

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 16h

😳

The Women's Game @womensgamemib.bsky.social · 16h

Barcelona scored SEVEN goals vs. Bayern in their opening UWCL match. Absolutely insane behavior 🤯⚽

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 17h

Lyon poured it on and Arsenal hung on for halftime. This Diani/Katoto/Chawinga/Dumornay combination up front is having its way -- on the flanks, centrally. It's a small win for the Gunners to get to halftime only down 2-1. #UWCL

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 18h

Melchie Dumornay has entered the chat (and Daphne van Domselaar gives a gift). #UWCL

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 18h

And Arsenal leads after 7 minutes! 👀

Beth Mead does the dirty work and wins a duel vs. Heaps, and Alessia Russo finishes it at the far post. 1-0 Arsenal

#UWCL

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 18h

Arsenal v OL Lyonnes is underway (Paramount+) with a nice atmosphere (as best we can tell on TV), and there's plenty of #USWNT interest, too:

Lindsey Heaps + Korbin Shrader (nee Albert) start in midfield for OL

Emily Fox starts for Arsenal, Jenna Nighswonger is on the bench

#UWCL

Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 21h

It's Matchday 1 for the UEFA Women's Champions League's new "league" format, and it starts with a big one: #UWCL title holders Arsenal host eight-time winners OL Lyonnes in a rematch of last year's semifinal. Also: Barcelona v Bayern Munich.

How the new format works:

www.uefa.com/womenschampi...

New format for Women's Champions League: Everything you need to know | UEFA Women's Champions League

The 2025/26 edition of the UEFA Women's Champions League follows an exciting new format. We explain what will change, what will stay the same, what it means for fans and the introduction of the UEFA W...

www.uefa.com

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 18h

Seattle Reign's Sofia Huerta has joined the ownership group of AC Boise (USL League 1/Super League)

“I wasn’t sure something like this would ever happen in Boise—so when the opportunity came, it was an easy decision.”

More (from 2022) on Idaho's role in her journey:

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

USWNT's Sofia Huerta started with Mexico, then moved from forward to defender. Is the World Cup next?

Sofia Huerta's road to the USWNT included a stint with Mexico and several new positions. Now, she could be a key figure at the World Cup.

www.espn.com

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 20h

There are going to be more field quality concerns here, but there's also the ongoing logjam in the calendar. Regardless of where the #NWSL teams rank in the pecking order (and leagues will throw their weight around in that process), added tenants are going to make scheduling even more difficult.

Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 22h

Big news for at least one soccer demographic: groundskeepers.

Louisville, Orlando, Dallas and Houston are all playing in their local MLS/USL Champo stadia, and overlapping with the home side's spring schedules.

Delightful reversal in C-bus, tho, where gridiron is taking over the OLD soccer venue.

Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 23h

The UFL has announced new teams for spring 2026

-New, relocated teams:
Columbus Aviators
Louisville Kings
Orlando Storm

Rebranded teams:
- Dallas Renegades (not Arlington)
- Houston Gamblers (not Roughnecks)

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 21h

It's Matchday 1 for the UEFA Women's Champions League's new "league" format, and it starts with a big one: #UWCL title holders Arsenal host eight-time winners OL Lyonnes in a rematch of last year's semifinal. Also: Barcelona v Bayern Munich.

How the new format works:

www.uefa.com/womenschampi...

New format for Women's Champions League: Everything you need to know | UEFA Women's Champions League

The 2025/26 edition of the UEFA Women's Champions League follows an exciting new format. We explain what will change, what will stay the same, what it means for fans and the introduction of the UEFA W...

www.uefa.com

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 22h

The Seattle Reign have announced a multi-year deal with Seattle-based pet insurance company Trupanion to be the presenting kit sponsor. It's significant commercial news for the Reign, who have gone about 5 years without a SOLD front-of-jersey sponsor, one of the most lucrative spaces they can sell.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 22h

For all the growth that should be celebrated, we also have to be able to talk about what's not working and where. There are markets that have consistently struggled with local relevance. Crowds for both SoCal teams dipping (San Diego being the biggest YOY decline in the NWSL) is an added wrinkle.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 22h

GRANTED, the LA game was a Monday (again) + there are wider sports attendance trends to factor, BUT average attendance is down in over half of #NWSL markets, some significantly. Spirit/Gotham/Pride/Courage have made gains, but that's not the overall trend. A good reminder that growth isn't linear.

Steven Goff @stevengoff.bsky.social · 1d

NWSL announced attendance:

Portland 21,104
Washington 17,422
Angel City 11,147 (Mon.)
Gotham 9,752
North Carolina 7,218
Houston 6,406
Chicago 3,710

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 1d

Kansas City Current's dominance continued on Monday night in record fashion with a 1-0 win over Angel City:

- 19th win, new #NWSL record
- Lorena's 13th shutout, ties record
- Michelle Cooper scored 20 seconds after entering, record for sub
-KC is 1 pt. from 60 pt. Record with three games to play

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 1d

There's a Monday night #NWSL game this week, and it's as must-win as it gets for Angel City's playoff hopes — against the first-place Kansas City Current. Important to the match: Golden Boot leader Temwa Chawinga and centerback Kayla Sharples are both out injured for KC.

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Reposted by Jeff Kassouf

Taylor Vincent @tayvincent6.bsky.social · 2d

Based on the coaches needing to be kept separate after the final whistle, I'm gonna guess that postgame press conferences will be fun today

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 2d

Rowdy Audi CHAOS 🤯

Spirit concede an equalizer in stoppage time, then get a game-winner cross/shot. 2-1 victory behind a brace from Rosemonde Kouassi.

Feels a bit like the story of San Diego's season lately. Seven straight games without a win now and just hanging on to that 8th playoff spot.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

Olivia Moultrie's brace carries Portland to a 2-1 win over Bay FC, which is officially eliminated from #NWSL playoff contention. Portland climbs to 4th with the win.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

Brilliant individual skill from Sam Coffey on the dribble, and an emphatic finish from Olivia Moultrie. Bay needs 3 points to stay mathematically alive but that's just prolonging the inevitable. The Thorns need 3 points to stay away from that #NWSL playoff line.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

Christine Sinclair's No. 12 jersey is now officially retired by the Portland Thorns after that big pregame ceremony at Providence Park. #NWSL

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

Contract is expiring. Pre-contract negotiations from six months out of expiration is global/FIFA standard.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

MA Vignola starts for Portland after arriving earlier this week from Angel City in a major trade. #NWSL

Portland Thorns FC @thornsfc.com · 3d

Sincy’s night type of XI

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

NC Courage 1, Racing Louisville 3

Back-to-back wins for LOU over teams just below them in the playoff race. There are five games still to be played this weekend but it's another huge result for a team seeking its first #NWSL playoff berth.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

Make that a brace tonight now for Emma Sears. 👀 #NWSL #USWNT

Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

#USWNT forward Emma Sears had the high-press turnover turned assist in last week's need-to-win game for Louisville (1-0 win over Angel City) and now has a goal for Louisville in this six-pointer against North Carolina. USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has to be happy to see that.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

#USWNT forward Emma Sears had the high-press turnover turned assist in last week's need-to-win game for Louisville (1-0 win over Angel City) and now has a goal for Louisville in this six-pointer against North Carolina. USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has to be happy to see that.

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Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

She does it with her feet anyway. Incredible assist from Riley Jackson. 1-1 in North Carolina.

Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 3d

Give Manaka half a goal for that diving header. Offside in the end but...yeesh was that a finish, especially for a player known better for magic at her feet.

Courage and Louisville remain deadlocked in this six-point battle for eighth place. #NWSL

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