In this week’s women’s soccer news, Boston Legacy revealed their crest; Fran Kirby announced her retirement from international soccer; the Matildas found their new head coach; and more!
High of the Week
The Boston Legacy is getting closer and closer to its inaugural season in 2026, and this week, it revealed its club crest. It’s a great crest with a swan as the main component. One really cool nod to the Boston Breakers is the eight feathers on the swan that represent the eight original NWSL clubs which included the Breakers. The club’s main color is green so the crest really pops and overall it looks really sleek.
The NWSL comes to Boston. pic.twitter.com/YpiAlAtQx5
— Boston Legacy FC (@NWSLBoston) June 7, 2025
Low of the Week
England legend Fran Kirby announced her immediate retirement from international football. The announcement came just days before England’s Euros roster was released and Kirby was informed she wouldn’t be selected. Kirby stated that the plan was to retire after Euros but since she wouldn’t be a part of that team now was the right time to step away.
She’ll go down as one of the best players to represent England. She played an important role in England’s 2022 UEFA Euros win as well as their third-place finish at the 2015 Women’s World Cup. Kirby ends her international career with 77 caps and 19 goals. She will continue to play club soccer with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Fran Kirby has announced her international retirement with immediate effect. 🏴 ❤️
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 3, 2025
News of the Week
This week there was quite the coaching carousel around women’s soccer. It started with Olympique Lyon’s head coach Joe Montemurro being named the head coach for the Australian Women’s National Team. Montemurro only spent one year with Lyon but he led them to their 18th league title.
This appointment left a head coach vacancy at Lyon that was filled by Jonatan Giráldez who was with the Washington Spirit. Giráldez had been with the Spirit for less than a year but he helped the club reach the NWSL Final in 2024.
With those two positions filled the Spirit were left looking for a head coach but they didn’t have to look far. The club announced that they hired Adrián González as head coach, González was an assistant coach under Giráldez. During the 2024 season, González spent time as the acting head coach for the Spirit while Giráldez finished his responsibilities with FC Barcelona.
All in all, there was a lot of movement but all of these teams should be in good hands.
Welcome home, Joe! 🇦🇺👋
Football Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Montemurro as the 15th full-time Head Coach following a global search.#Matildas
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 2, 2025
Transfer of the Weekend
The Utah Royals sent goalkeeper Cristina Roque to Racing Louisville in exchange for $50,000 in allocation funds. Roque was the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft by Utah. She’s only made one league appearance but it was a clean sheet against Louisville. The goalkeeper was a star at Florida State where started 67 games for the Seminoles and helped them win four conference titles and two National Championships. During the 2023 season, Roque and the Seminoles went undefeated in 2023.
Roque is an important addition to this Louisville team that lost their starting goalkeeper Katie Lund for the season. Before adding Roque the club only had two healthy goalkeepers, Jordyn Bloomer and Maddy Anderson.
Adding to our ‘keeper core! 🧤
We’re excited to welcome @cristina_roque_ to Louisville after acquiring her in a trade with the Utah Royals! 👋
➡️https://t.co/JDr7CMAdHN pic.twitter.com/FKhKSClSia
— Racing Louisville FC (@RacingLouFC) June 4, 2025
Goal of the Week
Manaka has been on fire for the North Carolina Courage with four goals in three games but her goal against the Washington Spirit was special. Feli Rauch sent in a good ball over the top and Manaka was able to take a good first touch and then chip the keeper brilliantly.
4️⃣ GOALS IN 3️⃣ GAMES
PURE MAGIC 🪄 pic.twitter.com/u8D0msn0kz
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) June 8, 2025
Assist of the Week
Casey Krueger sent in a wonderful cross to Brittany Ratcliffe who made no mistake about it and sent the ball flying into the back of the net.
BRITT DOUBLES IT FOR US 😤
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) June 8, 2025
Return of the Week
Rose Lavelle made her return to the pitch for NJ/NY Gotham FC this weekend. Unfortunately, Gotham lost the match but Lavelle’s return is great news for the club. Her return comes six months after the midfielder underwent ankle surgery.
72’ | Making her return…
🔛 Rose Lavelle
↩️ Taryn Torres pic.twitter.com/jDcWlOmzJF— Gotham FC (@GothamFC) June 7, 2025
Win of the Week
Peyton Manning is the newest investor in Denver’s new NWSL expansion club. Manning is an NFL legend who spent his last three seasons with the Denver Broncos where he brought a Super Bowl Championship to the city. Peyton’s brother Eli is an investor in Gotham FC.
This guy knows Denver football. 👏
Welcome, Peyton Manning! pic.twitter.com/hOqCh5vZbe
— Denver NWSL (@denver_nwsl) June 3, 2025
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