In this week’s women’s soccer news, the USWNT finished their three-match stretch against Japan; the NWSL could be looking at a schedule format change; Allie Long is back playing professional soccer; and more!
High of the Week
The USWNT played three games against Japan during the April international break. The first match they won 2-1, and then they dropped the second 1-0. In that second match, though, there was a lot of lineup rotation, and it gave the young players a chance to play against a very good team. In that second match, head coach Emma Hayes changed her entire starting XI from their first game against Japan earlier in the week. That loss did end their 10-match win streak, but on Saturday, they bounced back in impressive fashion.
The third match was played in chilly Denver, Colorado. The first half stayed scoreless, but the USWNT really opened the floodgates in the second, with Kennedy Wesley having a big game. Wesley subbed in at the start of the second half, and just seven minutes later, she assisted on Naomi Girma’s goal to get the scoring started. Then Rose Lavelle continued her amazing form as of late, adding a second goal for the United States in the 56th minute. Wesley capped off her impressive day with a goal in the 64th minute to push the USWNT to a 3-0 win.
These matches showed that the USWNT is trending in the right direction as the 2027 Women’s World Cup inches closer.
Low of the Week
It was reported this week by ESPN that the NWSL Board of Governors would be voting on a potential schedule shift that would move the league from a spring to fall format to a season that would begin in late summer and go to late spring. It’s a schedule format that many international leagues already use and that the MLS will begin using next year, but it doesn’t seem like the right move for the NWSL. The Gainbridge Super League also uses a fall-to-spring format, which could be an example that they’re looking at to prove that it works.
For the NWSL, a lot of the teams are in cities that can get very cold during the fall/winter, and the conditions won’t be right for players to take the field in, but also, fans aren’t going to want to sit in freezing weather. With the attendance going up, it just doesn’t seem like the right time to try and go about changing it, but also, it’s not likely they can do it safely.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some of the NWSL clubs are in cities where there are NFL teams, which could affect scheduling and attendance. Also, with football season being during that time, it could hurt the broadcast schedule of NWSL games as well.
Jeff Kassouf also reported for ESPN that NWSL players and the NWSLPA are currently opposed to the schedule shift. While this is mostly a discussion right now, it’s something to keep in mind.
NEW: The NWSLPA tells @espn in a statement that most players polled so far oppose flipping the calendar to fall-to-spring. “The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly.” https://t.co/4oqzqR27hy
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) April 17, 2026
News of the Week
The USWNT made some history when they took the field against Japan at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. They set the record for the largest standalone crowd for a women’s sports match in Seattle with 36,128 fans in attendance. It’s amazing to see women’s soccer pulling in these crowds, and we’re seeing these numbers on a more regular basis, which is incredible. It was just a month ago when the Denver Summit set the NWSL single match attendance record with over 63,000.
Return of the Week
Allie Long is making her return to professional soccer. Fort Lauderdale United announced that they have signed the midfielder through the end of the Gainbridge Super League season. She became the first player to have won a Women’s World Cup to sign in the league. She’ll bring a lot of experience to this Fort Lauderdale team that is currently in eighth place in the standings with five games left in the season. Long earned 51 appearances for the USWNT between 2014 and 2019, and on the club level, she appeared in 182 NWSL matches, with 105 of those caps coming with the Portland Thorns.
Save of the Week
Hannah Hampton made an incredible save for England in their match against Spain. Spain earned a corner kick that was sent curling into the box and headed towards goal, but Hampton was able to have a quick reaction and make an outstretched save to keep the Spanish off the board.
Win of the Week
England got a huge win over Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying match this week. It didn’t take long for the Lionesses to get on the scoresheet with Lauren Hemp finding the back of the net in just the third minute. England’s defense had a terrific game that kept the scoreline 1-0, with Hannah Hampton playing extremely well in goal. Before the loss to England, Spain had been unbeaten in 31 straight qualifying matches. England also got a 1-0 win against Iceland, which puts them at the top of Group C.
Goal of the Week
Katie McCabe scored a screamer for Ireland in their match against Poland. The play started from an Irish corner kick that was sent into the box and then headed out of the box, but to the feet of McCabe, who stepped up and hit a beautiful volley from distance. The goalkeeper couldn’t do anything but stand there and watch as the ball went flying into the back of the net.
What To Look Forward To
The NWSL is back after almost three weeks due to the international break. There are two games on Friday, with Racing Louisville hosting the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit hosting the Kansas City Current. Then on Saturday, there are four matches, with first-place San Diego Wave taking on the Denver Summit to end the night. The Utah Royals will travel to the Seattle Reign to end this weekend’s schedule on Sunday.
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